University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Medical Assisting A.A.S.

Students in Medical Assisting are cross-trained with skills and knowledge in front office administrative, clinical, and limited laboratory procedures that are designed to assist healthcare practitioners in administering to the needs of patients. Selected administrative skills include scheduling, medical office accounting systems, medical coding and billing, and electronic medical records. Some of the clinical skills the student will learn include assisting with medical examinations, vital signs, administering medications and injections (under supervision), sterilizing instruments and electrocardiography. Laboratory skills will include venipuncture (under supervision), and performing selected CLIA-waived laboratory tests. Additionally, Medical Assisting students will become acquainted with the laws and regulations governing medicine in the ambulatory setting, as well as ethical issues being confronted in the health care arena. The program is designed to prepare the student for an entry-level position in Medical Assisting.

Students may apply for admission by meeting with the program director. Prior to entry, the student must be able to show competency in computers. Each Spring students will have to provide documentation of vaccines, background check, etc. as posted on the program's web page. Because some classes are only offered in a specific semester, plus some courses have pre-requisites or co-requisites, meeting with the program director before each semester is necessary to avoid problems.

Students must earn a C or better in all courses in order to progress and complete the program. This includes being able to pass 100% of psychomotor and affective competencies required in laboratory/procedure courses. A course may be attempted a maximum of two times. At the end of the program the student will perform a 200-hour externship/practicum in an ambulatory facility, such as a clinic or doctor's office. The site must be approved by the Program Director. This provides the student with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in a real world setting. Students successfully completing the program will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Graduates are encouraged and prepared to take the Registered Medical Assisting exam upon graduation.

Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting

Summary

Core Courses63
Total Hours63

Degree Specific Credits: 63

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Note: A minimum of a C in each Medical Assisting core course is required for graduation. Medical Assisting core courses must be completed in no more than 2 attempts. The student must show competence in computer applications to enter the Medical Assisting program.

Core Courses

Complete all of the following courses:
ACTG 101Accounting Procedures I3
AHMA 201Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures I4
AHMA 203Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures II4
AHMA 280Medical Assisting Exam Prep3
AHMA 298Medical Assisting Externship5
AHMS 144Medical Terminology3
AHMS 156Medical Billing Fundamentals3
AHMS 216Pharmaceutical Products3
AHMS 220Medical Office Procedures4
AHMS 252Computerized Medical Billing3
AHMS 270EMedical Ethics3
BGEN 215Career Readiness3
BIOH 104NBasic Human Biology3
BIOH 105NBasic Human Biology Laboratory1
CAPP 154MS Word3
COMX 115SIntroduction to Interpersonal Communication3
HIT 265Electronic Health Records3
M 105Contemporary Mathematics3
or M 115 Probability and Linear Mathematics
PSYX 100SIntro to Psychology3
WRIT 101College Writing I3
Total Hours63

Minimum Required Grade: C