Programs and certificates

Medical Office Assistant

This program provides specialized training in the field of medical support services.  Forecasts indicate an ever-growing market for students from this type of program.  The training concentrates on medical office procedures, records management, business communication, and billing and accounting practices in the medical office.  Upon completion, students will be interested in pursuing work such as that of a medical front office assistant, billing clerk, or medical files clerk.

This six-course program consists of the following courses: Medical Office Procedures, Medical Terminology, Medical Records & Privacy Regulations, Medical Bookkeeping, Medical Coding and Billing, and Effective Business Communication.

Computer courses in Microsoft Word or Excel are optional.

For current class offering, click here.

For a checklist of requirements, click here.

Class Descriptions

Medical Terminology

Learn to pronounce, write, define and use medical terms properly.  Note that this course is a prerequisite for future medical office assistant courses.  Students may obtain the following required text from the BRCC Bookstore: Quick and Easy Medical Terminology, 6th Edition by Peggy Leonard, ISBN: 0-7216-9624-4.  This book will serve as an excellent on-the-job reference book.  This course is a prerequisite to Medical Coding and Billing.

Because this course is a prerequisite for others and is not offered every semester, interested students may participate in the online offering, which begins monthly.  For more information, click here, or go to www.ed2go.com/blueridgecc and search for "Medical Terminology".

Medical Office Procedures

This course will acquaint you with the front office activities of a medical office.  Course content includes office set up, telephone skills, general appointment setting, interpersonal communication, personality types, how to handle a crisis, and professional appearance.  Required text available at BRCC Bookstore:  Mosby’s Front Office Skills for the Medical Assistant by De A. Eggers, Anne M. Conway, ISBN: 0815123868.

Medical Records and Privacy Regulations

This course will cover the basic procedures for record management.  Topics will include retention of records, medical/legal, confidentiality, electronic records, the laws governing those records, Workers’ Compensation, and updated HIPAA regulations.  No text required.

Medical Bookkeeping

Covers the basics in human resource management, payroll, payables, revenue management, and budgeting for a medical practice. Students will learn the business side of the medical practice. No text is required for this course. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Medical Coding and Billing

This course is designed to teach basic techniques of medical coding and billing systems.  Learn how to bill patients and companies using the universal medical coding system (includes CPT & ICD codes).  After completion of this course you will be able to work in a medical environment requiring the knowledge of coding and billing techniques.  Required text available at BRCC Bookstore:  From From Patient to Payment: 5th Edition McGraw-Hill Company ISBN 978-0-07-352207-4.  Medical Terminology is a prerequisite for this course.

Effective Business Communication

Learn the essential elements of clear, concise business writing as well as practical editing tips. Develop key oral communication strategies necessary in today’s fast-paced work environment.  No textbook required. 

After completion of this non-credit certificate, students may feel ready for more in-depth coursework in one of these subject areas.  For information on semester-long credit classes in this subject area, click here.