Program Description
Medical Front Office (MFO) staff performs and coordinates the administrative activities of a medical office whether it is a physician, clinic, hospital, or other medical facility. They store, retrieve, and integrate information for dissemination to staff, patients, and clients. MFO personnel often register patients, schedule appointments, process communications, and enter data into electronic health records systems. This program features courses that provide students skills needed at the front desk of medical offices. Basic law and ethics, communication, telephone, appointment and health information management, and electronic health records.
Medical front office jobs can be found at hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, labs, imaging and urgent care centers. Healthcare workers are always needed, and the demand medical front office personnel is extremely high.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
- prepare to successfully complete the National Healthcareers Association (NHA) certification;
- achieve employability skills to work in a variety of medical facilities including physician offices, surgical centers, imaging and laboratory, urgent care, and hospitals;
- perform to a professional standard excellent customer service and communication skills while greeting patients, answering the phone, and scheduling appointments;
- discuss HIPAA requirements and how to apply them in a medical setting; and
- gain a basic knowledge of medical law and ethics, accounting responsibilities, health insurance and reimbursement.
CCBC Pathway
Health Professions Pathway. Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs. Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study. You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.
Program Credentials
Successful Completion:
CCBC Credential: Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).
External Credential: Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
Certifying Organization: National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Exam cost, $125 www.nhanow.com
Financial Aid and Payment Options
We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
Length of Training
6-9 months
Classes start in January, May, and September.
Program Requirements
A High School Diploma or GED is NOT required for program entry but may be required for employment
All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
This program is eligible for Baltimore County Public Schools Blueprint Funding.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum, or successful completion of a CCBC placement or challenge exam. A maximum of 45 program hours may be earned from prior learning.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. Then, email CEHealth@ccbcmd.edu for information about upcoming course options.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
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Course Number
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Course Title
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Course Hours
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Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
*Refer to Campus Bookstore for Appropriate Text
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Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
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AHL149
or
AHL246
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Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals
Medical Terminology for Administrative Healthcare Professionals Online
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18 |
Handouts provided online |
$189
T-$57/F-$132
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AHL140
or
AHL166
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Essential Skills for the Healthcare Professional
Essential Skills for the Healthcare Professional (Online)
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20
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Handouts provided online |
$179
T-$54/F-$125
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AHL 929
or
AHL198
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Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Online
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75 |
Administrative Medical Assisting, 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781496302427, $99 and Administrative Medical Assisting Study Guide, 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781496317308, $49 Ebooks are also available. |
$819
T-$246/F-$573
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Course Series Totals:
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|
113
|
$148 |
$1,187
T-$357/F-$830
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Additional Information
Course Substitutions:
Medical Terminology AHL149 can be substituted with: AHE534, AHE124, OFAD 141, ALHL 115, or AHL717
Essential Skills AHL140/AHL166 can be substituted with: ADS158, ADS781, or PDV 295
Additional Expenses:
NHA Study Guide $58. NHA Practice Exams $44.
NHA Certification Exam: $125
Skills for Success:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Empathy for others
- Strong human relations skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with extensive human interaction
- Ability to multi-task
- Computer literacy
- Problem solving skills
Career Opportunities:
Medical Front Office personnel work in hospitals, doctor offices, clinics, labs, imaging and urgent care centers.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Medical Front Office Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Medical Front Office course series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position in a medical facility as a Medical Front Office professional. The duties of a Medical Front Office professional require the ability to sit for long hours and focus on the task at hand.
Their duties also require them to have:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Empathy for others
- Strong human relations skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with moderate human interaction
- Ability to multi-task
- Computer literacy
- Problem solving skills
The following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Lift or otherwise maneuver papers/folders/charts/equipment up to 30 pounds
- Stand or sit in one area for long periods of time
- Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Perform basic keyboarding functions
C. Adequate vision to:
- Read and understand displays on computers/laptops/tablets
- Read and understand forms and communications from all entities
D. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand language in person and over the telephone, under potentially noisy and stressful conditions
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner under sometimes extremely stressful situations
- Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
- Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, regulations and laws
- Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession, including attending departmental in-service training
- Willingness to precept (train) others
B. Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Communicate clearly and effectively to all team members
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand
- Work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced, stressful environment
- Maintain calm during emergency situations
- Accept feedback from others
Environment Requirements:
The medical front office profession may involve risks and/or discomforts that require special safety precautions including, but not limited to:
- Wearing gowns, caps, masks, gloves and eye protection
- Working in an environment that may be noisy at times
- Working in an environment that exposes one to potentially hazardous materials, such as cleaning agents and chemicals, cytotoxic agents, radiopharmaceuticals and blood borne pathogens
- Providing proof of recent immunizations against infectious diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella
- Receiving Hepatitis B vaccine and annual testing for exposure to tuberculosis
- Submit to periodic drug screening
- Complete any blood borne pathogen, universal and standard precautions training as needed