Business Office Technology: Medical Option, AS (MEDO-AS-BOT)

CT State Community College Catalog 2023-2024 New students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2023 will begin as students of Connecticut State Community College under this catalog.  Continuing students from one of the 12 community colleges will be transitioned into a CT State program in this catalog as of the start of the Fall 2023 term. The policies, courses and programs described are applicable as of the Fall 2023 term and may be updated as circumstances require.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven workplace, administrative support professionals are highly valued members of any organization. They must use technology to originate, access, manage and manipulate information. In addition, they function independently in initiating office communications, accessing and tracking records and information, and problem-solving the various details of the day-to-day office operations. As contributing members of management teams, administrative professionals must assume a high level of responsibility and work independently to exercise initiative and judgment and to adapt to new technologies and procedures. 

Highly skilled administrative medical professionals are essential in any health care setting. This option prepares students with the competencies and knowledge necessary to excel and contribute as a positive team member in the medical administrative environment. Students become proficient in word processing, medical terminology, computerized communication, health information principles, medical coding and reimbursement, and state-of-the-art medical software simulations integrating practice management and Electronic Health Records applications. 

The national and local job market continues to be strong for students enrolled in this option. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is a direct result of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, which was passed to promote and expand the adoption of health information technology as well as an aging workforce in this specialty area, which is promoting continued demand for these highly skilled health care professionals. Subsequently, the extensive use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers will lead to an increased need for medical administrative professionals to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry. 

Learning Outcomes:

Business Office Technology:

Upon successful completion of all Business Office Technology degree program requirements, graduates will be able to: 

• Demonstrate keyboarding and data-entry speed and accuracy, including proofreading, using industry accepted standards. 
• Create and modify standard types of business communications in both printed and electronic forms. 
• Acquire up-to-date skills in the following areas: accounting, word processing, spreadsheet, database, project management, presentation, personal information management, web technologies, and speech recognition.
• Show effective time management and organizational skills.
• Display strong interpersonal and human relations skills required for success in a professional setting including: professionalism, adaptability to change, initiative, confidentiality, positive attitude and human-relations and creativity.
• Demonstrate decision-making ability; acquire and utilize information to solve problems; demonstrate computer knowledge; communication skills and business procedures using ability-based projects; and demonstrate responsibility, positive attitude, self-management, honesty and confidentiality.
• Contribute as a productive team member in a culturally and intellectually diverse global environment.

Upon successful completion of all Medical Option requirements, graduates will be able to:

• Define and apply medical terminology.
• Execute medical office procedures used in today’s technological work environment.
• Understand and perform medical practice management/patient accounting operations.
• Demonstrate accuracy in medical billing and coding procedures.
• Understand and adhere to the importance of federal regulations, medical ethics, legal implications, and patient confidentiality when handling protected health information.

Upon completion of this option, graduates can elect to take the following national industry-recognized certifications:

• Certified Professional Coder (CPC) via the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• Certified Professional Biller (CPB) via the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) via the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) via the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) via American Medical Billing Association (AMBA)