The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
This program prepares students for employment in a medical environment. Students develop skills and knowledge to perform a variety of duties to aid in the efficient workflow and operations of a medical related facility. Coursework indicates medical terminology, computer technology, medical law and ethics, and “front office” tasks — such as patient scheduling, reception, coding and billing, transcription, and records management.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of this program, using knowledge of front office tasks, students will use appropriate procedures related to reception, telephone communications, and records management. Applying computer technology skills, medical terminology skills, and language skills, students will prepare correspondence, produce medical transcripts, and perform tasks related to patient coding and billing.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
Semester 1
16 Units
OFTECH 1 recommended
See the full list: Required Elective Course from "Keyboarding Courses" below
This course introduces students to information systems and their role in business. Topics include information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems, hardware systems, and application software (word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics). In this course, students develop computer-based solutions to a variety of business problems.
This course is designed to review principles of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and number format; improve vocabulary and spelling; and develop proofreading and editing skills. Word Processing software is used to create and revise business documents.
SMC GE Area IV-A 3 units
This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
This beginning course explores the foundations of technology as well as current trends and emerging topics in information technology. Students complete hands-on projects in operating systems, web browsers, and web-based office applications. Students will also be introduced to topics such as understanding programming, computer security and social media.
Semester 2
15 Units
Through the use of Microsoft Word software, skills are developed in creating, revising, formatting, storing, and printing a variety of business documents. Skills are developed from basic functions and editing tools through intermediate features such as AutoText, columns, custom tab settings, charts and graphs, graphics, envelopes, labels, and headers/footers. Emphasis is placed on professional quality production of documents. Students also learn to increase productivity through the use of automated features and multiple windows. Students develop problem-solving skills through the use of document revisions and trouble-shooting assignments. Additionally, students develop advanced skills in areas of interest ranging from legal applications to brochures and newsletters. Hands-on experience is provided in a microcomputer lab. This class covers the objectives necessary for the MOS and Expert certification in Word.
- Skills Advisory: CIS 1
- Skills Advisory: Ability to type 25 wpm
Microsoft Outlook has become a primary means of office communication and task management. In this course the student will learn to effectively use all features of Outlook e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes; create and manage Outlook folders; collaborate with others for scheduling meetings and resources; configure and customize Outlook; and integrate Outlook contacts with other Microsoft Office programs. This class covers the objectives necessary for the MOS certification in Outlook.
- Skills Advisory: CIS 1
This course is designed to develop medical vocabulary skills. Topics include word parts (roots, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes), body structure, major body systems, and pharmacology. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines and Internet research tools are also discussed.
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
Semester 3
15 Units
The course introduces the basics of medical insurance billing and current payment methodologies in hospital and physician office settings. Students use MediSoft, a popular medical billing accounting software program, to enter patient and case information, schedule appointments, process transactions, and produce reports and patient statements.
Coding is defined as the translation of procedures, services, and supplies into numeric and/or alphanumeric components for statistical reporting and reimbursement purposes. This course introduces students to CPT, CPT Modifiers, and HCPCS coding procedures.
This course emphasizes essential administrative and clerical skills required to function in a health care environment. Topics of study include records management; insurance, coding, and finance terminology; billing, reimbursement, and collections; telephone and scheduling procedures; medical ethics, law, and compliance; computer usage in the medical office; written communications; and intercultural communications. Students are introduced to electronic billing and scheduling using Medisoft. Health care careers are also discussed.
SMC GE Area I Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-B Course 3 units
Semester 4
14-15 Units
This is a beginning course in operating transcribing machines to produce medical documents. Students learn to transcribe, proofread, and edit a variety of medical documents, including chart notes, history and physical reports, consultations, office procedure notes, and X-ray reports. Emphasis is on vocabulary development related to major body systems, formatting, and language skills.
This course discusses terminology, concepts, and procedures related to electronic health records and provides hands-on applications. Topics of study include advantages, core functions, data sources, workflow, coding standards, and privacy and security regulations of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Students use EHR software to input patient data, create patient records, document office visits, order prescriptions and lab tests, and perform other tasks involved in patient care and management.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 20
SMC GE Area III Course 3 units
Elective Course 3 units
Elective Course 2-3 units
Keyboarding Courses (3 units required)
3 Units
This course is designed to teach keyboard mastery by touch, improve speed and accuracy, and use Microsoft Word to create and revise business documents. Proofreading skill development is also included.
This course is intended for students without previous keyboarding instruction. Emphasis is on keyboard mastery, correct keyboarding techniques, and proofreading skills.
Students develop speed and accuracy. Emphasis is on using Microsoft Word to produce letters, memos, tables, and reports.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1A or
- Skills Advisory: 25 wpm
Course content includes keyboard mastery by touch, correct keyboarding techniques, and proper formatting of letters, memos, reports, tables, and other kinds of personal and business communications.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1B or
- Skills Advisory: 30 wpm
This course emphasizes speed and accuracy development, keyboarding technique, and proofreading skills.
Computers are used in all work environments. To function efficiently, computer users must be able to input data on a computer keyboard quickly and accurately. This course is designed to develop the computer keyboarding skills that are required to function in the workplace.
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1
- Skills Advisory: OFTECH 1C