The Medical Front Office Assistant certificate program is designed to provide the educational opportunities to individuals that will enable them to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to secure an entry level position as a receptionist in a physician’s office, hospital, clinic, or other related areas. Technical courses apply to the degree or diploma program in office technology.
Students may enter the Medical Front Office Assistant certificate program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 22 semester credit hours.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Medical Front Office Assistant certificate program must be able to work in an office setting, type and produce business documents, be a fast and accurate typist, show initiative, work with people, work as a team member, multi-task, display a professional appearance, work with computers and computer application software, and have a strong work ethic.
Employment Opportunities
Receptionists and assistants are charged with a responsibility that may affect the success of an organization-making a good first impression. Persons in these positions answer telephones, route and screen calls, greet visitors/patients, respond to inquiries from the public, and provide information about the organization. In a medical office environment, receptionists and assistants may be responsible for gathering patient information and directing them to waiting rooms.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $2,862.00
Books & Supplies: $600.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Curriculum
General Education Courses
Occupational Courses
| BUSN 1460 | Keyboarding and Document Formatting | 4 | 105 |
| BUSN 2340 | Healthcare Administrative Procedures | 4 | 90 |
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| XXXX XXXX | Specific Occupational Guided Elective | 6 | |
Choose one of the following:
| ALHS 1090 | Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences | 2 | 30 |
| BUSN 2300 | Medical Terminology | 2 | 30 |
Program Pathway
Semester 1
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| BUSN 1460 | Keyboarding and Document Formatting | 4 | 105 |
| BUSN 2300 | Medical Terminology | 2 | 30 |
| | Guided Elective | | |
Semester 2
| ENGL 1010 | Fundamentals of English I | 3 | 45 |
| BUSN 2340 | Healthcare Administrative Procedures | 4 | 90 |
| | Guided Elective | | |