Online Pediatric Medical Office Assistant Courses

What Kind of Courses Will I Take?

If you are aspiring to become a pediatric medical office assistant, your core courses will cover the general field of medical office assisting. You will learn about numerous topics, such as health administrative methods, medical terminology, health insurance policies and medical software. Foundational courses like keyboarding and word processing are often required. You may take some or all of the following courses:

Interpersonal Communications

Employment in a pediatric office requires working with special populations and vulnerable individuals. As such, it may be helpful to take a course in interpersonal communications. You will learn to communicate in a tactful, caring manner with young patients, and how to interact with their caregivers in a responsive and helpful manner.

Medical Office Procedures

Medical office procedures courses are designed to teach you the basics of working in a medical office setting. You may learn HIPAA privacy laws, computer medical records management, and how to answer a multi-line phone. Students also generally learn the basics of office management, file maintenance, and bookkeeping duties, in addition to Microsoft Office and relevant office management software.

Medical Terminology

Students typically take courses in medical terminology as familiarity with these terms is necessary for proper and accurate reporting. Topics in anatomy and physiology are often covered with an emphasis on word roots, abbreviations, and pronunciations.

Medical Insurance Billing

Courses in medical insurance and billing provide students with a thorough understanding of billing processes in the medical office. Students learn to identify what treatments an insurance company will pay for and how companies compare, how to prepare statements, manage aging accounts, and handle reimbursement. Medical claims submissions may also be covered.

Medical Coding

Students are instructed in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM coding as the International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification is the industry standard for billing and coding in medical offices. Students will likely learn about the importance of proper coding and may also gain experience with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding.

What Level of Courses Are Available Online?

Several schools offer online certificate programs for medical office assistants. These programs can help certify you to work in an assortment of medical settings, including pediatric medical offices. Once you complete the certificate program, you may be eligible to apply to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam and the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam.

How Do Online Classes Work?

You will be expected to own a computer with a current version of an operating system and Internet access. You may also need a personal e-mail address, so that the school and instructor can contact you about enrollment and further information. Some instructors might also request that you download lectures, course notes or Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, so sufficient computer memory is needed to complete these downloads. Most online courses use a learning management system, such as Blackboard, to incorporate course participation through e-mails, chats and discussion boards. Instructors can usually be contacted via e-mail or telephone for any additional course assistance.