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Physicians’ Office Assistant Professional with Electronic Health Records Management (EHRM) includes National Certification and Clinical Externship


Program includes National Certification & a Clinical Externship Opportunity


This Physicians’ Office Assistant with Electronic Health Records Management (EHRM) training program combines two in-demand healthcare certifications with important front office Microsoft end user computer skills.

The Physician’s Office Assistant Profession with EHRM

Medical administrative assistants primarily work in doctor’s offices, clinics, outpatient settings, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Medical administrative assistants, medical secretaries, and medical records clerks are all positions in great demand. The growth and the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system have resulted in a substantial increase in the need for qualified medical administrative assistants. Employment of a medical assistant is expected to grow an impressive 34% by 2022.

The Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) Profession

Access to health information is changing the ways doctors care for patients. With the nation’s healthcare system moving to the electronic medical record, numerous employment opportunities exist for medical assistants, health information systems staff, patient registration professionals and other related positions. Healthcare professionals with the abilityto understand, update and maintain the electronic health record are in great demand.

The Physician’s Office Assistant with EHRM Certificate Program

This program covers information on the medical assisting profession, interpersonal skills, medical ethics and law, medical terminology, basics of insurance billing and coding, telephone techniques scheduling appointments, medical records management and management of practice finances. Additionally, this program prepares students to understand and use electronic records in a medical practice. Course reviews the implementation and management of electronic health information using common electronic data interchange systems and maintaining the medical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the electronic health record. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • History and background of the medical assisting profession
  • Interpersonal skills, medical ethics, and basic medical law
  • Telephone techniques and skills for scheduling appointments
  • Medical terminology
  • Basics of insurance billing and coding
  • Medical records management and management of practice finances
  • The effect of confidential communication laws, the release of information and HIPAA
  • Provides a EHR experience using Medcin software to perform health information tasks
  • Using EHR to manage patient information including the examination, assessment notes and treatment plans.
  • Importance of data accuracy, consistency, completeness, and security of information

Physician’s Office Assistant - Lesson Checklist

Each lesson includes a prescribed checklist of activities for successful completion of the lesson. This includes lesson objectives, readings, and recommended assignments. Although assignments are optional, the instructor will grade and provide feedback on submitted assignments.

Course Materials:

  • Kinn’s The Administrative Medical Assistant
  • Kinn’s The Administrative Medical Assistant Student Workbook

Module/Lesson Structure

The Physician’s Office Assistant program is divided into six main content modules. The textbook is Kinn’s The Administrative Medical Assistant, 7e. Each module contains one or more lesson presentations to view. These lesson presentations are the “lectures” which, along with the textbook readings and resources, will help you learn the material. The lesson presentations aim to address a variety of learning styles and preferences using text, audio, video, etc. Each lesson contains at least one Check Your Understanding interactive self-assessment that will help you gauge your comprehension of that lesson’s content. Many lessons include supplemental resources such as games, animations, videos, and interactive activities. Using these additional materials will deepen your understanding of the content. Each module has a Module test (the last Module concludes with a Final Exam for all students).

Electronic Health Record Management Lesson Checklist

This program prepares students to understand and use electronic records in a medical practice. Course reviews the implementation and management of electronic health information using common electronic data interchange systems and maintaining the medical, legal, accreditation and regulatory requirements of the electronic health record. The EHRM Modules are divided into five main content modules. Each module contains one or more lesson presentations to view. These lesson presentations are the “lectures” which, along with the textbook readings and resources, will help you learn the material. The lesson presentations address a variety of learning styles and preferences using text, audio, video, etc. Each lesson contains at least one Check Your Understanding interactive self-assessment that will help you gauge your comprehension of that lesson’s content. Many lessons include supplemental resources such as games, animations, videos, and interactive activities. Using these additional materials will deepen your understanding of the content. Each module has a Module Test (the last Module concludes with a Final Exam for all students).

Course Materials:

  • Electronic Health Records text
    Note:You must install the Medcin Student Edition of the software on a PC. The installation CD is packaged with this textbook. The software is not compatible with a Mac.
  • Health Information Technology and Management text

Module 1 – Introduction to Medical Assisting

  • Lesson 1 – Becoming a Successful Student
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 1 (pp.1-10)
  • Lesson 2 – The Healthcare Industry
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 (pp.11-29)
  • Lesson 3 – The Medical Assisting Profession
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 3 (pp.31-42)
  • Lesson 4 – Professional Behavior in the Workplace
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 (pp.43-51)
  • Lesson 5 – Interpersonal Skills and Human Behavior
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 (pp.53-73)
  • Lesson 6 – Medicine and Ethics
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 6 (pp.75-91)
  • Lesson 7 – Medicine and the Law
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 7 (pp.93-120)

Module 2 – Administrative Medical Assisting

  • Lesson 8 – Computer Concepts
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 8 (pp.121-134)
  • Lesson 9 – Telephone Techniques
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 9 (pp.135-153)
  • Lesson 10 – Scheduling Appointments
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 10 (pp.169-173)
  • Lesson 11 – Patient Reception and Processing
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 11 (pp.175-186)
  • Lesson 12 – Office Environment and Daily Operations
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 12 (pp.187-210)
  • Lesson 13 – Written Communications and Mail Processing
    • Reading Assignments: Chapter 13 (pp.211-233)

Module 3 – Health Information in the Medical Office

  • Lesson 14 – The Paper Medical Record
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 14 (pp.235-261)
  • Lesson 15 – The Electronic Medical Record
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 15 (pp.263-273)
  • Lesson 16 – Health Information Management
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 (pp.275-285)
  • Lesson 17 – Privacy in the Physician’s Office
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 17 (pp.287-300)

Module 4 – Billing and Coding Procedures

  • Lesson 18 – Basics of Diagnostic Coding
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 18 (pp.301-323)
  • Lesson 19 – Basics of Procedural Coding
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 19 (pp.325-348)
  • Lesson 20 – Basics of Health Insurance
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 20 (pp.349-370)
  • Lesson 21 – The Health Insurance Claim Form
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 21 (pp.371-394)
  • Lesson 22 – Professional Fees, Billing, and Collecting
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 22 (pp.395-420)

Module 5 – Financial and Practice Management

  • Lesson 23 – Banking Services and Procedures
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 23 (pp.421-439)
  • Lesson 24 – Financial and Practice Management
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 24 (pp.441-452)
  • Lesson 25 – Medical Practice Management and Human Resources
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 25 (pp.453-479)
  • Lesson 26 – Medical Practice Marketing and Customer Service
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 26 (pp.481-492)

Module 6 – Assisting with Medical Emergencies and Career Development

  • Lesson 27 – Emergency Preparedness and Assisting with Medical Emergencies
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 27 (pp.493-525)
  • Lesson 28 – Career Development and Life Skills
    • Reading Assignment: Chapter 28 (pp.527-553)

Module 1 – Healthcare Information and Systems

  • Lesson 1 – Healthcare Facilities and Professionals
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 1 (pp. 1-21)
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 2 (pp. 22-41)
  • Lesson 2 – Accreditation, Regulation, and HIPAA
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 3 (pp. 42-73)
  • Lesson 3 – Fundamentals of Information Systems and Healthcare Records
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 4 (pp. 74-95)
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 5 (pp. 98-126)
  • Lesson 4 – Comparison of Paper and Electronic Records
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 6 (pp. 127-151)
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 7 (pp. 152-181)
  • Lesson 5 – Additional Health Information Systems
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 8 (pp. 182-204)

Module 2 – Administrative Medical Assisting

  • Lesson 6 – Healthcare Coding and Reimbursement
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 9 (pp. 207- 236)
  • Lesson 7 – Healthcare Transactions and Billing
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 10 (pp. 237- 259)
  • Lesson 8 – Statistics, Research, and Quality Management
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 11 (pp. 260- 282)
    • Health Information Technology and Management - Chapter 12 (pp. 283- 300)
  • Lesson 9 – Electronic Health Records: An Overview
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 1 (pp. 1-34

Module 3 – An Introduction to Medical Record Software

  • Lesson 10 – Functional EHR Systems
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records – Chapter 2 (pp. 35-76)
  • Lesson 11 – Learning Medical Record Software
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 3 (pp. 77-117)
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 4 (pp. 118-151)

Module 4 – Using Medical Record Software

  • Lesson 12 – Data Entry at the Point of Care
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 5 (pp. 152-195)
  • Lesson 13 – Understanding Electronic Orders
    • Reading Assignments:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 6 (pp. 196-253)
  • Lesson 14 – Problem Lists, Results Management, and Trending
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 7 (pp. 261-300)
  • Lesson 15 – Data Entry Using Flow Sheets and Anatomical Drawings
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 8 (pp. 301-341)

Module 5 – Using the EHR

  • Lesson 16 – Using the EHR to Improve Patient Health
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 9 (pp. 342-374)
  • Lesson 17 – Privacy and Security of Health Records
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 10 (pp. 375-416)
  • Lesson 18 – Using the Internet to Expedite Patient Care
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 11 (pp. 417-463)
  • Lesson 19 – EHR Coding and Reimbursement
    • Reading Assignment:
    • Electronic Health Records - Chapter 12 (pp. 464-518)

Note: This program can be completed in 6 months. However, students will have online access to this program for a 24-month period.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) Exam
    • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) Exam

  National Certification

Students who complete the Auburn University Physician’s Office Assistant Professional Certificate Program with EHRM National Certification will be prepared to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam and the NHA Electronic Health Record Specialist Certification exam (CEHRS). Students who complete this program at Auburn University will be prepared and are eligible to sit for these national certification exams.Students who complete this program can and do sit for theses NHA certification exams and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so.Auburn University will work with each student to determine which national certification exam works best with each particular student and register the student for that exam.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement of this program, once students complete the Physician’s Office Assistant with EHRM program they have the ability to participate in a clinical externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a Physician’s Office Assistant with a focus on EHRM. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in a hospital, physicians’ practice, clinic and/or with other healthcare organizations. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed in a healthcare organization near their location. Auburn University works with national healthcare organizations and has the ability to place students in clinical externship opportunities nationwide

Note: No refunds can be issued after the start date published in your Financial Award document.