2023-2024 College Catalog

Office Technology

 

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Office workers are responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to run and maintain organizations efficiently. They use a variety of software, produce correspondence, maintain databases, manage projects, as well as organize meetings, manage records, and schedule appointments. Office workers find employment in a variety of settings, such as corporations, government agencies, schools, and hospitals. Some related job titles include office assistant, administrative assistant, executive assistant, and data entry/clerical.

General Office, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

This program provides training in common skills used in the business office: keyboarding, computer applications, English, accounting, and business communications. General office workers obtain employment in many environments: corporate settings, government facilities, schools, and hospitals. Related job titles include administrative assistant, executive assistant, executive secretary, office assistant, and secretary. After gaining some work experience or specialized skills, many workers transfer to jobs with higher pay or greater advancement potential.

Program Learning Outcomes: Using skills in Microsoft Office software, keyboarding, and English language principles, the student will create and revise commonly used business documents. Given transaction data, the student will perform basic bookkeeping/accounting tasks, such as classifying, recording, and preparing financial documents.

Area of Emphasis: (27 units)

Required Courses: (24 units)

ACCTG 1,Introduction to Financial Accounting(5)
or
ACCTG 21,Business Bookkeeping(3)
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BUS 32,Business Communications(3)
CIS 1,Introduction to Computer Information Systems(3)
CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
CIS 30,Microsoft Excel(3)
CIS 37,Microsoft Word(3)
CIS 39,MS Outlook – Comprehensive Course(3)
OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Additional general education and graduation requirements for the Associate degree from Santa Monica College are listed in the Academics section of this catalog, as well as online (go to smc.edu/articulation).

Medical Administrative Assistant, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

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.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the 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.

Area of Emphasis: (33 units)

Required Courses: (30 units)

CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
CIS 37,Microsoft Word(3)
CIS 39,MS Outlook – Comprehensive Course(3)
OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 21,Medical Terms and Transcription 1(3)
OFTECH 23,Medical Billing (Medisoft)(3)
OFTECH 24,Medical Coding/Billing 1(3)
OFTECH 27,Medical Office Procedures(3)
OFTECH 28,Electronic Health Records(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Medical Coding and Billing Specialist, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Medical Coding and Billing Specialists are primarily responsible for submitting documentation of patient medical care to insurance companies. Duties include billing insurance companies and patients; collecting payment for services; and documenting tests, treatments, and procedures, using correct medical terminology — referred to as “coding.” This program provides the training that is required to perform these duties.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, applying knowledge of diagnostic and procedural codes, students will review patients’ medical records and assign appropriate codes for reimbursement and billing purposes. Using a computerized patient billing system, students will enter patient and case information, process transactions and claims, create statements, and produce reports.

Area of Emphasis: (36 units)

Required Courses: (33 units)

ANATMY 1,General Human Anatomy(4)
or
BIOL 2,Human Biology(3)
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CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
CIS 30,Microsoft Excel(3)
OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 23,Medical Billing (Medisoft)(3)
OFTECH 24,Medical Coding/Billing 1(3)
OFTECH 25,Medical Coding/Billing 2(3)
OFTECH 26,Medical Coding/Billing 3(3)
OFTECH 27,Medical Office Procedures(3)
OFTECH 28,Electronic Health Records(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Enterprise Service Clerk, Certificate of Achievement

This program will prepare students to acquire computer and office skills needed to apply for service clerk entry-level jobs in various offices in educational institutions and other city and state government facilities. Students will learn Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Office programs, and Records Management and Filing skills.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will accurately apply professional customer relationship and management techniques in a business environment. Upon completion of the program, students will employ interpersonal and critical thinking skills as well as problem-solving.

Area of Emphasis: (14 units)

Required Courses: (14 units)

BUS 36A,Customer Service in the Digital Age(3)
CIS 1,Introduction to Computer Information Systems(3)
CIS 30,Microsoft Excel(3)
CIS 37,Microsoft Word(3)
OFTECH 33,Records Management(2)

Medical Office Clerk, Certificate of Achievement

The Medical Office Clerk Certificate prepares students to perform common tasks in a medical workplace. Students develop skills in medical terminology, medical office procedures, and basic medical coding and billing principles.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate knowledge of medical office procedures, HIPAA, patient admissions and discharges, and appropriate telephone and scheduling procedures. Using knowledge of medical terminology and coding/billing procedures, students will demonstrate an understanding of billing, reimbursement, and collection procedures.

Area of Emphasis: (12 units)

Required Courses: (12 units)

CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 24,Medical Coding/Billing 1(3)
OFTECH 27,Medical Office Procedures(3)

Clerical/Data Entry, Department Certificate

Organizations need to process a rapidly growing amount of information. Data entry workers help ensure the efficient handling of information processing. Duties include inputting data into computers and performing editing, proofreading, and clerical tasks. This certificate program provides training in the essential skills to carry out these tasks. Job opportunities exist in part-time, full-time, and work-at-home positions. Data entry workers are known by various job titles, such as data entry clerk, data entry operator, data entry specialist, and clerk. Data entry jobs frequently serve as stepping stones to higher paying positions with increased responsibilities.

Program Learning Outcomes: Using source materials, the student will use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint software to input data. Applying knowledge of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling principles, the student will proofread and correct data input.

Area of Emphasis: (12 units)

Required Courses: (9 units)

CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
CIS 37,Microsoft Word(3)
OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Electronic Medical Records Clerk, Department Certificate

This program prepares students for entry-level clerical positions involving electronic health records (EHR). Training is provided in computer basics, medical terminology, and electronic records technology. EHR clerks work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and nursing homes — typically under the direction of a manager or supervisor.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will be able to capture and store patient data into an EHR (Electronic Health Records) system. Using EHR software, students will document patient encounters and process physician orders in an electronic system.

Area of Emphasis: (9 units)

Required Courses: (9 units)

CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 28,Electronic Health Records(3)

Hospital Inpatient Coder, Department Certificate

Coding is the transformation of healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes for statistical reporting and reimbursement purposes. A hospital inpatient coder reviews and codes information for patients who stay at least overnight in a hospital facility. This certificate program provides training in medical terminology, inpatient coding, and billing, reimbursement, and collection procedures.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology and correctly code inpatient facility services and diagnoses. Using knowledge of billing principles, students will demonstrate an understanding of billing, reimbursement, and collection procedures.

Area of Emphasis: (9 units)

Required Courses: (9 units)

OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 25,Medical Coding/Billing 2(3)
OFTECH 26,Medical Coding/Billing 3(3)

Medical Billing/Coding, Department Certificate

Medical billing/coding workers are primarily responsible for submitting documentation of patient medical care to insurance companies. Duties include billing insurance companies and patients; collecting payment for services; and documenting tests, treatments and procedures, using correct medical terminology – referred to as “coding”. The Medical Billing/Coding Certificate program provides the training that is required to perform these duties.

Program Learning Outcomes: Applying knowledge of diagnostic and procedural codes, the student will review patients’ medical records and assign appropriate codes for reimbursement and billing purposes. Using a computerized patient billing system, the student will enter patient and case information, process transactions and claims, create statements, and produce reports.

Area of Emphasis: (15 units)

Required Courses: (12 units)

CIS 30,Microsoft Excel(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 23,Medical Billing (Medisoft)(3)
OFTECH 24,Medical Coding/Billing 1(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist, Department Certificate

This program is ideal for students who want to learn the basic skills needed to become employed in a healthcare setting. This certificate prepares students for entry-level records management/receptionist positions in hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, and service agencies. Coursework includes training in storing, retrieving, and maintaining medical records; front desk procedures; medical vocabulary; computer technology; keyboarding; and written and verbal communications. With experience and additional education, medical records clerk/receptionists may advance to senior clerks, registered health information technicians (RHITs), registered health information administrators (RHIAs), consultants, and educators.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, using knowledge of recordkeeping systems, students will organize and retrieve patient records using alphabetic, numeric, and color-coded systems. Applying knowledge of front desk procedures, students will demonstrate knowledge of appropriate telephone skills and face-to-face communications.

Area of Emphasis: (15 units)

Required Courses: (12 units)

CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 27,Medical Office Procedures(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)

Medical Transcription, Department Certificate

This program prepares students to listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondences, and other administrative material. Medical transcription is a particularly flexible career that easily lends itself to many different work styles. Medical transcriptionists work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, transcription service offices, clinics, laboratories, and at home. With experience, medical transcriptionists can advance to supervisory positions, home-based work, editing, or consulting.

Program Learning Outcomes: Using transcription equipment and word processing software, the student will prepare medical documents that represent correct format, spelling, capitalization, number usage, punctuation, abbreviations, symbols, and metric measurement rules. In the preparation of medical documents, the student will use a variety of reference resources.

Area of Emphasis: (15 units)

Required Courses: (12 units)

OFTECH 5,English Skills for the Office(3)
OFTECH 20,Medical Vocabulary(3)
OFTECH 21,Medical Terms and Transcription 1(3)
OFTECH 22,Medical Terms and Transcription 2(3)
Select 3 units from the following:
OFTECH 1,Keyboarding I(3)
OFTECH 1A,Keyboarding 1A(1)
OFTECH 1B,Keyboarding 1B(1)
OFTECH 1C,Keyboarding 1C(1)
OFTECH 9,Keyboarding Improvement(1)
OFTECH 10,Skill Building on the Keyboard(3)