Purpose
The Medical Administrative Office Specialist (MAOS) certificate program (Plan Code 221-285-87) prepares individuals to work as front office staff in medical office settings. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) for certification.
Students enrolled in the Career Studies Certificate may apply many credits earned to the college’s Certificate in Medical Assisting.
Medical Administrative Office Specialist (MAOS) are allied health professionals responsible for various medical office administrative tasks beginning with initial patient contact through final payment. They perform front office functions such as scheduling, communicating (with healthcare professionals, patients and third party payers), handling medical records, and financial management while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations (NCCT, 2017).
The program will enroll approximately twenty (20) students annually. Students will rotate through an internship. Clinical affiliates for medical assistants will include nursing homes, rehabilitation, the hospital, physician’s offices and other allied health agencies. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) for certification as a Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA).
Program Admission Requirements
Prospective students must:
- Complete application to ESCC
- High School Diploma or GED, copy to accompany application to program
- GPA of 2.0 or better
- IF GPA less than 2.0 or have been out of school more than 5 years, recommend English EDE10; math recommendation of MDE 10
- Completion of Criminal Background, drug screening
- Completion of Physical examination with PPD or chest x-ray
- Current record of immunizations including MMR, Varicella, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and COVID vaccinations
- Grade of “C” or better in all curriculum courses
These requirements must be fulfilled prior to the start of the second semester or entry into the clinical internship: (Students must be current, certified and or maintain standards through the end of the program for all of the continuation requirements.):
- Students are responsible for costs necessary for program completion such as required testing fees, liability insurance, uniforms, stethoscopes, medical assisting pins and graduation uniform, books, criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors background checks.
- Purchase of ESCC approved Student Uniform lab coat.
- Appropriate professional and social media use as defined by the college or syllabus.
- Participation in community based activities that support student development.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills during the interview process and in all other interactions with patients and professionals.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform front office functions such as scheduling, communicating (with healthcare professionals, patients and third party payers).
- Handle medical records appropriately, to include the electronic medical record, HIPAA, and financial management, while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Apply medical terminology appropriately in the work place.
- Apply legal and ethical standards within the medical office setting.
- Students must complete the program within 3 years to be eligible for national certification.
- There is a limited time for the student to test for national certification following graduation.
- Students must apply and send all information to National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) in order to sit for examination.
- NCCT information regarding testing and fees can be found at https://www.ncctinc.com/
- Part-time students should consult their faculty advisors regarding appropriate course sequences.
Courses in this program may help students attain the following license(s) or certification(s):
- National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)