60 credits, 20 months
The Associate of Arts in Administrative Medical Assisting program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains in health settings as medical assistants. The program focuses on the skills of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, administrative skills including the processing of medical insurance forms and claims, understanding healthcare laws and ethics, clinical skills including but not limited to ECG, phlebotomy, pharmacology, vital signs, conducting routine lab tests, and followed by a hands-on practicum with online demonstrations and simulations. Bryan University delivers this program through dynamic, adaptive, experiential learning that includes personalized instruction and coaching. Program offered 100% online in most US states. Program not currently available in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Washington.
This program prepares students for a deeper understanding of the concepts and theories associated with Medical Assisting.
The program learning outcomes are:
- Students will prepare and deliver effective healthcare communications for various situations using a variety of appropriate technologies.
- Students will evaluate relevant electronic health records and the data contained within learning ICD.
- Students will demonstrate skills and apply techniques to assist patients from different cultures and patients with physical disabilities.
- Students will use quantitative skills to assist in solving healthcare problems and discovering opportunities.
- Students will be able to incorporate critical thinking skills when performing patient assessments using effective methods of collecting patient data.
- Students will apply concepts of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology and pharmacology, phlebotomy, routine labs, administrative skills, First Aid, and healthcare ethics to assist in solving healthcare problems and discovering opportunities.
- Students will be able to use common medical and A&P terms to properly chart in the EHR. They will become familiar with using software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Students will prepare for employment in medical assisting by demonstrating proficiency in the skills required of a certification exam and participating in career-focused activities. At the completion of this Associate of Arts program, students will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Practicum/Clinical Course hours are a part of a student’s required coursework in their educational program at Bryan University. Students are not paid for the work performed during practicum/clinical course activities. All school rules apply to practicum/clinical course hours. Students participating in practicum/clinical course hours are reminded that they are acting as representatives of Bryan University and are expected to be professional at all times. Students are expected to complete practicums/clinical course hours within the grading period as outlined in the course description and requirements.
Students who successfully graduate from the Bryan University Associate of Arts in Administrative Medical Assisting may transfer all 60 credits of those programs into the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration completion program. Other applicable associate degree programs may also be considered for a block transfer into this baccalaureate completion program.
Following the completion of the program, a graduate should have:
- Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, and pharmacology.
- Knowledge of basic computer applications and systems.
- Ability to translate diagnoses, conditions, services, and procedures into medical codes using a variety of standard formats, including ICD, CPT, and HCPCS.
- Ability to communicate, query, and collaborate with healthcare stakeholders such as coders, billers, physicians, and other healthcare staff.
- Ability to work in a variety of medical environments.
The following is a list of example occupations that one could pursue (this is just a sample, as job titles and names continue to change in the industry):
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Associate
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Receptionist
- Patient Care Associate
- Patient Services Representative
- Patient Services Technician
- Home Health Aides
- Personal Care Aides
- Nursing Assistants
- Pharmacy Aides
- Phlebotomists
- Healthcare Support Worker
- Community Health Worker
The following is a list of example organizations in which one could pursue employment:
- Insurance Companies
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Federal, State, and City Governments
- Healthcare Organizations
- Hospitals
- Medical Clinics and Practitioner Offices
- Home Health Organizations
- Laboratory Settings
- Urgent Care Centers
- Medical Supply Business
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Commercial Organizations
- Employment & Staffing Agencies
include, but are not limited to, the following:
- 31-1121 – Home Health Aides
- 31-1122 – Personal Care Aides
- 31-1131 – Nursing Assistants
- 31-9092 – Medical Assistants
- 31-9095 – Pharmacy Aides
- 31-9097 – Phlebotomists
- 31-9099 – Healthcare Support Worker
- 21-1094 – Community Health Worker
*Detailed information surrounding these classifications can be found at the following website: https://www.bls.gov/soc/2018/major_groups.htm.
In order to graduate and receive an Associate of Arts in Administrative Medical Assisting, students must earn a minimum of 60 credits, and have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or better. Students who elect to do so may also sit for the exam for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant; completion of certification exams are not required to graduate.
Each semester is 16 weeks, split into two 8-week terms. The following term schedule is subject to change.
|
Term 1 |
UNV-101S/CMA-100 (First 8 weeks) BIO-100MA/BIO-105MA (Second 8 weeks) |
|
Term 2 |
BIO-115MA/CMA-110 CMA-120/CMA-130 |
|
Term 3 |
CMA-140/CMA-200 AMA-215/ENG-110S |
|
Term 4 |
AMA-240/ENG-112S HIM-220MA/COM-115S |
|
Term 5 |
AMA-250/MAT-110S AMA-299/CRT-110S |
Core Courses
A course covering the information and skills needed to succeed in academic studies, including study skills, setting academic goals, managing time, and technology skills such as word processing and presentations.
Credits 3
None.
This course provides students with an overview of the medical assisting profession and its role in the healthcare delivery system. Students are introduced to the major functions and departmental inter-relationships. Students will prepare for the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification at the end of this course.
Credits 3
None.
This course will provide students with a foundation in medical terminology. Students will learn strategies for memorizing and recalling medical terms and become familiar with a broad array of terminology commonly used in the healthcare professions.
Credits 3
None.
This course will cover the systems that comprise the human organism.
Credits 3
This course will cover the development and progression of disease within the systems of the human body. Students will also learn about the pharmaceuticals that interact with certain diseases and conditions, pharmacology principles, medication administration, and drug identification and calculation. Infection control practices and nutrition and health will also be introduced.
Credits 3
This course provides essential legal and ethical principles for those pursuing a career in the healthcare field. It provides a foundation of all the essentials including the legal system, the patient/physician relationship, professional liability and medical malpractice prevention, workplace law and ethics, medical records, confidentiality, bioethical issues, ADA, and HIPAA. Students are also introduced to medical records, electronic health records, and patient interviews.
Credits 3
None.
This course provides students with basic clinical skills. Emphasis is placed on learning the fundamentals of procedures that relate to patient care. Topics to be covered include medical asepsis and infection control, infectious diseases/ blood borne pathogens, preparing the medical record, and taking measurements and vital signs. Also included will be administering medication, injections, phlebotomy, hematology, blood chemistry, and serology.
Credits 3
This course provides the student with advanced clinical skills. Emphasis is placed on assisting the physician. Topics to be covered include assisting with the patient examination, eye and ear assessment, disinfecting and sterilizing equipment, and assisting with surgical procedures. The student will understand physical agents to promote healing, assisting with specialty examinations and procedures, radiology, and diagnostic imaging and electrocardiogram.
Credits 3
This course provides an overview of the revenue cycle in the healthcare field. Topics include applying diagnostic and procedural coding, group and private insurances, HMOs, PPOs, and government sponsored medical insurance programs. Accurate completion of claim forms and third-party payer reimbursement processes is discussed.
Credits 3
The course is designed to combine both administrative and clinical skills in a simulated office environment. Students will walk through a typical day of an MA professional. The student will complete the 120-hour practicum as a review tool for the medical assisting student to prepare for their profession. Included in this course is preparation for the certification examinations.
Credits 3
This multimedia learning course uses medical practice management software and electronic medical records software that covers aspects of computerized administrative, clinical, financial, and EHR storage procedures performed in the medical office.
Credits 3
None.
This course provides students with an overview of US healthcare reimbursement systems, the roles and responsibilities of healthcare third-party payers, and the billing process, including concepts of revenue cycle management. Advanced coding concepts such as the use of codes in reimbursement systems, ethical and compliant coding, and additional vocabularies, terminologies, and classification systems will also be discussed. Utilization of coding tools such as groupers and computer-assisted coding will be included. Practice Management Systems will also be used.
Credits 3
None.
This course introduces students to human resources management in healthcare and organizational management and reviewing strategies to promote organizational success. Overview of human resource management from its beginnings to present day trends, including state and federal healthcare laws, codes of ethics, staffing and hiring, training and development, employee relations and strategic planning. Key organizational functions such as organizing, planning, leading, and controlling resources.
Credits 3
None.
This course is designed to aid students in understanding how HIPAA and cybersecurity is practiced and maintained in healthcare settings. Topics include access controls, data breaches, risk assessment tools, and HIPAA compliance. Privacy aspects of the EHR are evaluated as well as compliance issues and management of information in the EHR.
Credits 3
None.
The course is designed to review administrative skills in a simulated office environment. Students will walk through a typical day of an administrative MA professional. The student will complete the practicum as a review tool for the medical assisting student to prepare for their profession and the CMAA certification examination.
Credits 3
Note: Bryan University strives to deliver students the most up to date courses possible. The textbooks listed in the following course descriptions are subject to change. Students should always refer to the course syllabus for textbook information.
General Education Courses
This course covers written communication skills with an emphasis on understanding the writing process, analyzing readings, and practicing writing for personal and professional applications.
Credits 3
None.
This course introduces the concepts and theories of interpersonal communication. Students will explore the process and functions of communication, developing relationships, communication strategies and skills, and interpersonal language skills, including conflict management.
Credits 3
None.
This course begins with a review of real numbers and algebraic expressions before covering algebra topics including linear equations and inequalities, lines and functions, systems, exponents, polynomials, and factoring.
Credits 3
None.
This course provides foundational topics related to logic and critical thinking including, informal logic, formal logic, and fallacies.
Credits 3
None.
A course building on lessons learned in English Composition I. In addition to reviewing the writing process, topics include research techniques, citation techniques, documentation formats, and critical analysis of written topics.
Credits 3
or the equivalence in transfer credit.
Note: Bryan University strives to deliver students the most up to date courses possible. The textbooks listed in the following course descriptions are subject to change. Students should always refer to the course syllabus for textbook information.