Are you detail-oriented and enjoy supporting a team of people who are serving the needs of patients? If you are interested in working in the medical field, the medical assisting program can give you the tools you need to succeed!
Allan Hancock College’s medical assisting program offers two options to prepare students for work in a medical office: medical assisting and medical billing.
The medical assisting program will prepare students with both the front and back-office skills required for employment as a medical assistant in a doctor's office or medical facility. Students will be trained in maintaining medical records and interpreting medical terms used in medical records. Students will be able to prepare income statements, work with financial accounting processes and systems, and use standard medical office computer software. Students will also develop proficiency in maintaining and using aseptic techniques, administering specified medications under the direction of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or podiatrist performing various laboratory tests, and assisting the physician with minor surgery.
The medical billing and coding program focuses on developing foundational skills in
the medical billing process, handling insurance forms and coding, completing end-of-month
operations in a medical office, accurately coding procedures and diagnoses, and composing
legal collection letters as part of collection procedures and practices. Students
can choose to obtain one or both a medical assisting certificate and a billing and
coding certificate.
This program will help you to:
- develop communication skills necessary to effectively communicate with other health care team members, patients, and physicians
- demonstrate respect for the human dignity and the rights of all individuals with awareness of cultural differences
- utilize critical thinking and decision-making skills when providing clinical and administrative service in health settings
Suggested Course Sequence
The “Suggested Course Sequence” is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A study of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing and treatment modalities. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or have received credit for MB 305.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to MA program
The course introduces the student to the medical assisting profession including aspects of the work environment, laws that govern the profession, code of ethics, multicultural issues, communication techniques, and the profession characteristics that enable the medical assistant to be a successful member of a heath care team. Study skills, critical thinking, and basic pharmacological math are also included.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to MA program
The course is designed to prepare the student to assist the doctor in selected phases of clinical procedures. It emphasizes asepsis, physical examination, screening practices, including care and use of equipment.
The course explores administrative office tasks including secretarial and accounting procedures, written and oral communications, appointment scheduling, and records management. Topics include insurance, banking, professional fees, billing, and collection of fees. Administrative legal and ethical issues are addressed. Computer applications are employed for most functions in the medical field. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or have received credit for MB 352.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to MA program
The course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop skills required to perform medical office laboratory procedures and to provide patient education.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to MA program and successful completion of first semester MA courses.
The course is designed to provide instruction in the scope of practice of the Medical Assistant in medication administration. Included are drug classifications, drug measurement systems, and calculation of dosages. Parenteral and non-parenteral drug administration techniques are practiced.
Limitations on Enrollment: Admittance to MA program and Successful completion of the first semester MA courses.
The course provides an opportunity for students to be exposed to the actual work environment and practice job skills learned in the program. Students interface regularly with faculty during the experience.
Total Units:
12.5
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 26.5 units is required for the certificate.
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MA 305 | Body Systems and Disease | 5 |
| or | ||
| MB 305 | Body Systems and Diseases | 5 |
| MA 350 | MA Fundamentals | 2 |
| MA 351 | MA Clinical Procedures 1 | 3 |
| MA 352 | MA Administrative Procedures | 4 |
| or | ||
| MB 352 | MB Administrative Procedures | 4 |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MA 353 | MA Clinical Procedures 2 | 5 |
| MA 355 | MA Pharmacology | 4 |
| MA 356 | MA Job Success Externship | 3 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A study of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing and treatment modalities. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or have received credit for MB 305.
The course explores administrative office tasks including secretarial and accounting procedures, written and oral communications, appointment scheduling, and records management. Topics include insurance, banking, professional fees, billing, and collection of fees. Administrative legal and ethical issues are addressed. Computer applications are employed for most functions in the medical field. The course is not open to students who are currently enrolled or have received credit for MB 352.
Total Units:
9.0
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Corequisite: MB 361 Completion of first semester medical billing or equivalent medical assisting courses.
The course covers practices and principles of health insurance using medical terminology for completion of medical forms. It is an introduction to various types of medical billing practices including the pegboard system, computerized billing, basic insurance forms, collections, and basic legal aspects of billing. The course is not open to students who have received credit for MA 360.
Corequisite: MB 360 Admittance to the medical billing program and/or completion of first semester medical billing or equivalent medical assisting courses.
The course covers practices and principles of health insurance and health care finance coding procedures. International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD 10-CM), current Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) guidelines for coding and reporting are utilized in practical application scenarios. The course is not open to students who have received credit for MA 361.
Total Units:
7.0
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A total of 16 units is required for the certificate.
Required core courses (16 units):
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MA 305 | Body Systems and Disease | 5 |
| MA 352 | MA Administrative Procedures | 4 |
| MA 360 | Medical Billing & Insurance | 4 |
| MA 361 | Coding for Medical Insurance | 3 |
Start a career in medical assisting
The Medical Assisting program offers two options to provide students with preparation for work in a medical office. Classes are offered toward certification in medical assisting and medical billing certification. To be considered for either certificate you must turn in an application by the application deadline. You may apply to both programs, however, you will only be admitted into one.
The application period for both programs is March 15 - May 31 annually.
Third-party Certification information
Graduates of Allan Hancock College's Medical Assisting program are eligible for certification by American Medical Technologists (with which we have a formal affiliation). Graduates of our program may also apply to take the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants exam.
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Contact Information
Dean: Thomas Lamica (Interim)
Department Chair: Mary Nelson
Department Program Technician: Tawnya Karstrom
LOCATION
Santa Maria Campus, M-100 building
Telephone extension: 3384
Fax number: 922-1403
