The Certificate of Completion Medical Clerical prepares students to perform initial clerical and administrative duties in medical, clinical, hospitals, or health care facilities. The graduate will be prepared to schedule and receive patients, obtain patient data, receive payment, maintain medical records, data processing, perform general office skills, office equipment operation, and assume general medical office responsibilities. The student will demonstrate effective communication skills in dealing with patients, medical personnel and peers.
This Certificate of Completion leads to an AAS Medical Assistant. To see how this program links to others in the Pathway click here.
Entry Requirements
This is a restricted-entry program and students must submit a separate application along with their college admission application. For more information contact the administrative assistant, Sumner Hall, Rm 4 541-888-7443 or the director at 541-888-7298. Click here to view more information about the Nursing & Allied Health program.
Students are required to complete the College's placement process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined by the placement process.
Due to the nature of this curriculum and the access to drugs, all students will have to declare themselves “drug free” and be subject to a criminal background check. Any student who is unable, for any reason, to complete the practice parts of this curriculum will not be able to continue in the program. Drug testing will be done prior to clinical practice.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
Southwestern is required by federal regulations to disclose information related to the College's educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation. This information is intended to provide students the opportunity to measure employment outcomes associated with certificate programs.
Gainful employment information for the Certificate of Completion Medical Clerical can be found online.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 49 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. One course must be completed at Southwestern before the Certificate of Completion Medical Clerical is awarded.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH20 | Basic Mathematics (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| OA121 | Beginning Keyboarding | 3 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| BA285 | Human Relations in Organizations | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| AH100 | Introduction to Health Care Careers | 2 |
| AH111 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| AH121 | Body Structures and Functions I 1 | 3 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I 2 | 4 |
| OA124 | Keyboard Skill Building | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| AH112 | Medical Terminology II | 3 |
| AH122 | Body Structures and Functions II 1 | 3 |
| AH150 | Medical Office Coding | 3 |
| HIM110 | Health Information Technology | 5 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| AH151 | Reimbursement Management | 3 |
| AH152 | Medical Law and Ethics | 2 |
| CIS120 | Concepts of Computing | 4 |
| OA116 | Office Procedures | 3 |
| WR115 | Introduction to Expository Writing (or higher) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| AH280A | CWE: Allied Health Front Office 4 | 2 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
| 1 | BI231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BI232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and BI233 Human Anatomy and Physiology III sequence may be substituted for AH121 Body Structures and Functions I & AH122 Body Structures and Functions II. |
| 2 | MTH65 Algebra II, MTH95 Intermediate Algebra, or higher may be substituted for MTH60 Algebra I. |
| 3 | PSY203 General Psychology or PSY203H General Psychology w/Honors may be substituted for BA285 Human Relations in Organizations. |
| 4 | All of the first year courses must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking AH280A CWE: Allied Health Front Office. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate general knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical law and ethics.
- Demonstrate proficiency in medical office administrative practices.
- Demonstrate proficiency in word processing.