The Medical Office Assisting (MOA) program prepares students for career opportunities, which require knowledge of basic office, patient care and laboratory skills in medical offices, clinics and hospitals.

Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physician's offices, clinics, and group practices, performing administrative and clinical procedures.

Well-balanced instruction in business skills and medical procedures enables the graduate to assist the physician in routine practice. The responsibilities of medical assistants vary, depending on whether they work in a clinic, hospital, large group practice, or small private office.

Externships in area medical practices provide clinical experience in obtaining patient histories, assisting in examinations and certain diagnostic testing, acquiring patient specimens, performing laboratory tests, processing and coding insurance, scheduling appointments for the physician, collecting payments, and patient education. Externships are available only during day hours. The student may be required to travel out of town for selected clinical experience. Assignment of clinical externship is based on availability of affiliated clinical facilities.

The MOA curriculum provides the student with a general health care background, which can be used as a stepping-stone to other health care or administrative fields. MOA graduates can pursue nursing, medical laboratory technology, radiologic technology, respiratory care technology, word processing, medical transcription, or office systems technology careers.

The Medical Office Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRB-AAMAE). CAAHEP, 35 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, (312)553-9355.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the certification exam for medical assistants given by the American Association of Medical Assistants, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL, 60606; telephone (312)899-1500.

Admission to the MOA program is based on successful completion of required placement tests and proof of high school diploma or G.E.D. The Admissions Office will provide specific program information and additional admission requirements. An admissions physical examination validating health status is required. CPR and first aid certification are required prior to clinical rotation.
Note: Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony or pleaded guilty to a felony are not eligible to take the CMA Exam; however, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances. Students will be required to have a Criminal Background Check as part of the admissions process.

A student may enroll in a CAAHEP accredited Medical Assisting program, but upon graduation may not be eligible to take the certification exam and become a Certified Medical Assistant without a waiver as established by the Certifying Board.

Students who may be affected by this should contact the American Association of Medical Assistants at 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL 60606-2903 to clarify eligibility status to sit for the AAMA exam.

**The Medical Office Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Based on a peer review conducted by the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRB-AAMAE) and the commission's Board of Directors, the program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation, effective July 23, 2004. Pending submission of a report to the CRB by December 1, 2004, and a meeting of CAAHEP in March, 2005, re-accreditation could be granted. Questions concerning this should be directed to the Medical Office Assisting Program Director.


MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTING
SEMESTER CURRICULUM MODEL