COURSE NAME/NUMBER:Front Office III MEDA 122
HOURS/CREDITS:3Credits
CLASS LOCATION/TIMES:Building:Room:
Days:
Times:
PREREQUISITES:Front Office I MEDA 120
Front Office II MEDA 121
COURSE DESCRIPTION:The practice of medicine is a business as well as a profession, and the details of conducting the business aspects are often the responsibility of the medical assistant. This course focuses on the financial management aspects of the medical practice including fee schedules, banking procedures, basic accounting principles, and payroll and management skills.Management of patient records, health information and correspondence is also explored
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS/CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office Hours:
(By appointment)
Office Location: Building B, Room
Phone: (425) 235-2352 Ext.
Email:
COURES OBJECTIVES (Course Competencies):Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
.
1.Define, spell, and pronounce the terms listed in the vocabulary.
2.List three values that are considered in determining professional fees.
3.Differentiate among the terms usual, customary, and reasonable.
4.Discuss the value of fee estimates for patient treatment.
5.Explain basic bookkeeping computations.
6.Differentiate between bookkeeping and accounting.
7.Compare the manual and computerized bookkeeping systems used in ambulatory healthcare.
8.Explain both billing and payment options.
9.Identify procedures for preparing patient accounts.
10.Discuss the types of adjustments that may be made to a patient’s account.
11.Describe the impact of both the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Federal Truth in Lending Act as they apply to collections.
12.Discuss procedures for collecting outstanding accounts.
13.Define, spell, and pronounce the terms listed in the vocabulary.
14.Describe banking procedures.
15.Explain how the Internet has changed traditional banking practices.
16.State the four requirements of a negotiable instrument.
17.Discuss the advantages of using debit cards.
18.Identify the three most common types of bank accounts.
19.Explain how to handle mistakes made in preparing a check.
20.Discuss preparations for accepting checks.
21.Compare types of endorsements.
22.Discuss the actions necessary when a patient’s check is returned.
23.Correctly write checks for bill payment.
24.Prepare a bank deposit.
25.Accurately reconcile a bank statement for the office checking account.
26.Define, spell, and pronounce the terms listed in the vocabulary.
27.List the four items all financial records should show at any given time.
28.Differentiate between accounts payable and accounts receivable.
29.Explain the difference between a single-entry system and a double-entry accounting system.
30.Explain the importance of a trial balance.
31.Describe common periodic financial reports.
32.State the types of employment records required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
33.Discuss the basis for the withholding amounts taken from employees’ earnings.
34.Explain the purpose of Form W-4.
35.Explain the requirements of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA).
36.Discuss the importance of setting a budget each fiscal year.
37.Describe how to establish and maintain a petty cash fund.
38.Explain how to process an employee payroll accurately.
Lesson 25.1: Types of Managers and Leaders
39.Define, spell, and pronounce the terms listed in the vocabulary.
40.Explain the importance of management in the medical office.
41.Discuss the desirable qualities of a medical office manager.
42.List and discuss the three types of leaders.
43.Discuss several types of power and whether power is a positive or negative entity.
44.Identify several ways in which employees are motivated.
45.Explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
46.List several ways to prevent burnout.
47.Discuss what to look for when reviewing resumes and applications.
48.Explain why the telephone voice of an applicant is important.
49.List and discuss legal and illegal interview questions.
50.Identify the follow-up activities the office manager should perform after an interview.
51.Explain the importance of mentors for new employees in the medical office.
52.List the various types of staff meetings.
53.Explain how to interview a job candidate for a position at the facility.
54.Describe how to conduct a performance review for an employee.
55.Explain how to arrange a group meeting.
56.Define, spell, and pronounce the terms listed in the vocabulary.
57.List the three steps to follow when preparing to implement a medical marketing strategy.
58.Explain the term target market.
59.Discuss how suggestion boxes might help the medical facility make improvements.
60.List and discuss the four Ps of marketing.
61.Explain the five steps for developing a plan in marketing.
62.Discuss how community involvement can make a difference in marketing efforts.
63.State the difference between advertising and public relations.
64.Determine ways to promote a new practice.
65.Discuss responses that help the medical assistant identify with the patient.
66.Explain the concept of the internal customer.
67.Design a presentation for a marketing event.
68.Prepare a presentation using PowerPoint.
69.Discuss applications of electronic technology in effective communication.
70.Organize technical information and summaries.
71.Locate resources and information for patients and employers.
72.Advocate on behalf of the patient and family, able to deal and communicate with family members.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY: Throughout the Medical Assistant Program,
an outstanding work ethic is emphasized and encouraged. Participation and professionalism are essential to your success as a student and as a Medical Assistant. Ten percent of your grade involves participation and professionalism. If you must be absent, make arrangements beforehand to have a fellow student obtain any handouts and reading assignments you miss. You are also responsible for getting assignments from a fellow student by phone or email when you are absent in order to complete an assignment on time. Students missing three (3) or more consecutive class days due to illness are required to submit a note from their healthcare provider certifying they are physically able toreturn to the classroom. The full attendance policy is outlined in your medical assistant packet.
NATURE OF THE COURSE: To accommodate a wide variety of learning and personal styles many different instructional approaches may be used including: lecture, group discussion, demonstrations, interactive exercises, role playing, video programs, computer based training, student research, self directed learning projects and collaborative teaching with Program Instructors.
COURSE OUTLINE: See attached document.
GRADING: Grades are based on the following weighted categories and assigned the corresponding decimal grade:
Professionalism/Participation10%
Homework15%
Quizzes20%
Mid-Term25%
Final30%
TEXT:Young, Alexandra P.Kinn’s The Administrative Medical Assistant, Seventh Edition. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2011.
Young, Alexandra P. Kinn’s The Administrative Medical Assistant Study Guide, Seventh Edition. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2011.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
Pens: Blue or black ink; no erasable or gel pens
Pencils
Calendar for assignments
USB Drive to store work
RESOURCES:
EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: In case of weather closure of the RTC Campus, class will be cancelled. Call the school at (425) 235-2352 and choose option 9 for weather closure information. Information will also be available on the website ( and local television and radio stations.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT POLICIES:
Renton Technical College recognizes and values diversity between students on campus, including cultural diversity, diversity of age, life style, race, religion, and financial backgrounds. Students are expected to listen respectfully to others and conduct themselves professionally in the classroom, at clinical sites, and at all campus related activities.
Certain behaviors will not be tolerated. Students engaging in those behaviors will be asked to leave the classroom and appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken. Examples are:
- Unprofessional or disruptive behavior
- Sleeping in class
- Inappropriate attire
- Foul language
- Sexual harassment
Cheating and Plagiarism: As outlined in the Allied Health Department Handbook, Renton Technical College has a zero tolerance policy towards cheating and plagiarism. If a fellow student observes what appears to be cheating on an exam, the instructor should be made aware of the situation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. If the instructor observes a student cheating on a test, appropriate disciplinary action will also be taken.
Similarly, on a paper or presentation, if wording is taken directly from any source without giving credit to the source, the student will receive a zero (0) on that paper or presentation. When there is doubt, the instructor will make the final judgment on whether plagiarism has occurred.
Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, the student receiving a zero (0) on a test, paper or presentation up to and including immediate expulsion from the program.
Reading Assignments: The student is responsible for reading all assigned material prior to the lecture. Much more can be gained from the classroom discussion if there is some basic familiarity with the content.
Questions: If you do not understand something during a lecture and do not want to ask a question in front of the entire class, talk to your instructor or other students when there is free time within the classroom. (There will be frequent opportunities at the end of class sessions to get clarification) Asking classmates questions while other classroom information is taking place is disruptive to the entire class and theinstructor. It also causes students to miss what is currently being discussed.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes given approximately once a week. A Pop Quiz could be given at any point when the instructor needs to evaluate how much information is being assimilated by the students. Pop Quizzes cannot be madeup. If you are absent on the day of a scheduled quiz, you must take the quiz the day he or she returns to school to receive credit. If you are more than 10 minutes late for a quiz you will need to make it up by arrangement with the instructor. The highest possible grade for a make-up quiz is 90%.
NOTE:If your class is a hybrid quizzes will be administered on line. These quizzes will be timed and available on specified days as noted in the course outline. Quizzes not taken during the available time frame can only be made up at the discretion of the instructor. DO NOT wait until the last minute to take your quizzes.
Mid Term and Final: There will be a mid-term given after which the student and instructor will meet and discuss progress as necessary. A final exam will be given during the last week of the quarter. You will lose one letter grade for every day the final examination is not taken from the date it is offered to the rest of the class. The mid-term and cumulative final will be proctored and may be administered in any form (written, oral, online, etc.).
Homework: is due on the assigned date and must be complete to earn homework points. Incomplete homework must be submitted within one school day of the due date to receive points. If a student is absent on the day homework is due the homework is considered late and must be submitted the day the student returns to earn points. Points are earned as follows:
Submitted on time and complete10 points
Submitted late and complete 5 points
Note: Information contained in this syllabus is subject to change.
Allied Health Grading Scale 2011
Decimal Grade / Grade Percent / Letter Grade Equivalent4.0 / 100 / A
3.9 / 99
3.8 / 98 / A-
3.7 / 97
3.6 / 96
3.5 / 95
3.4 / 94 / B+
3.3 / 93
3.2 / 92
3.1 / 91 / B
3.0 / 90
2.9 / 89
2.8 / 88 / B-
2.7 / 87
2.6 / 86
2.5 / 85
2.4 / 84 / C+
2.3 / 83
2.2 / 82
2.1 / 81 / C
2.0 / 80
1.9 / 79 / C-
1.8 / 78
1.7 / 77
1.6 / 76
1.5 / 75
1.4 / 74 / D+
1.3 / 73
1.2 / 72
1.1 / 71 / D
1.0 / 70
0.9 / 69 / D-
0.8 / 68
0.7 / 67
0.0 / 66 or less / F
Note:Students must earn at least a grade or 2.0 (80%) in each course to continue in the Medical Assistant Program.
1
Front Office Procedures III
MEDA 122
Revised March 2012