Medical Office

Syllabus
The mission of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is to eliminate barriers to work
and independence. The purpose of the Employment Training and Education
Program is to provide access to inclusive, hands-on learning environments that
are individualized and prepare students for career pathways.

Instructor(s):
Name: Gabreal Morales
Email:gcmorales@goodwilleasterseals.org
Classroom location: Phone: 612-314-1241
Sons of Norway Office location: Sons of Norway
3rd Floor
1455 West Lake Street Name: Jacob Gilleland
Minneapolis, MN 55408 Email:Jgilleland@goodwilleasterseals.org
Phone: 612-314-1242
Office location: Sons of Norway

Course Description
This 8-week course is designed to provide short term skill acquisition training in the
areas of medical terminology, computers, insurance information, confidentiality,
appointment scheduling and patient registration. This course includes a combination of
curriculum-based classroom instruction, industry guest speakers and employment
readiness training including resume development and interview skill training to prepare
individuals for a variety of positions in a medical office environment. Occupation areas
include patient representative, administrative coordinator, patient account specialist,
insurance specialist, charge entry specialist and other related administrative positions.

Required Textbooks and other Materials

No textbooks or materials are required to participate in class. Study materials and
handouts will be provided by instructors. Students may receive recommendations
regarding online tools, websites or other study resources that may help them learn the
information presented in class. Access to a computer outside of classroom hours is
helpful, but not required.

The following resources and tools were used to create curriculum and facilitate
classroom activities:

Job Training Manual Medical Office Practice 8th Edition, Diane R. Timme & Phillip
S. Atkinson, 2011
Practice Fusion-Electronic Health Record, Practice Fusion Inc., 2014
Delmar Cengage Learning Medical Office Simulation Software version 2.0, 2008
Microsoft Office 2010
Quizlet LLC, online terminology tool

Course Calendar
Start Date:
Holidays/No Class:
End Date:
Graduation: 11:30 a.m.
Course Objectives
In this course, you will be expected to:
Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology
Demonstrate the ability to provide excellent customer service
Understand, adhere, comply with standards of the medical environment and
healthcare occupations
Demonstrate understanding of medical office software
Show understanding of basic computer skills
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic medical insurance concepts
Demonstrate an understanding and ability to utilize financial literacy concepts
Complete and understand aspects of employment readiness with an emphasis
healthcare industry

Course Outline
Curriculum will include additional topics; below are general concepts and areas
of weekly focus
Students will be quizzed weekly, typically on Friday
Week One:
Terminology Focus: Circulatory System
Introduction to Patient Registration
Microsoft Office Word Introduction
Week Two:
Terminology Focus: Nervous System
Appointment Scheduling
Customer Service Introduction
Employment Readiness Training: Career Planning and Job Searching
Week Three:
Terminology Focus: Digestive System
Patient Procedure and Payment Posting
Introduction to Microsoft Office Excel
Employment Readiness Training: Resumes
Week Four:
Terminology Focus: Respiratory/Urinary Systems
Insurance
Microsoft PowerPoint Introduction
Mid-term
Employment Readiness Training: Employment Applications and Cover Letters
Week Five:
Terminology Focus: Musculoskeletal System
Appointment Scheduling
Ethics in Healthcare
Employment Readiness Training: Introduction to Interviewing Best Practices

Week Six:
Terminology Focus: Reproductive Systems
HIPAA & Confidentiality
Financial Literacy
Employment Readiness Training: Videotaped Mock Interview Review with Peer
& Staff Feedback
Employment Readiness Training: After the interview next steps & Networking
Week Seven:
Terminology Focus: Lymphatic and Endocrine Systems
Microsoft Outlook
Review of Medical Office Simulation Software
Employment Readiness Training: Videotaped Mock Interview
Employment Readiness Training: Mock Interview Review with Feedback
Week Eight:
Review
Practice Exams
Final Exam
Employment Readiness Training: Placement Plans

Course Evaluation
There will be both formal and informal evaluations of your performance in this course.
Formal assessments will include quizzes, participation in role-play activities, timed
assignments in medical office software, written and verbal assessments, a videotaped
mock interview, and a final written exam. Your class participation will also be monitored.
Individual goals will be developed, and an individual program plan will be created and
reviewed with you and the instructor at the class mid-point. This report will assess your
progress towards technical skills, as well as professional behaviors such as interactions
with your peers, following directions, etc. A cumulative report detailing progress in both
technical and soft skills will be provided to all students at the end of the course. Regular
attendance and punctuality is expected, at a rate of 95% or greater.

Student Expectations and Course Policies

Class Participation: Instructors recognize that all individuals will have varying levels of
comfort within group settings. However, students are expected to participate in class
discussions and role-plays, ask questions of the instructors, and respond as called upon
during class. For both the technical instruction and employment readiness curriculum,
students are expected to respond to instructor requests for information and submit
assignments according to specified deadlines. In the event they cannot meet a
deadline, students are expected to provide their instructors with advanced notice.

Attendance: Students are expected to maintain 95% attendance or greater. If the

student is going to be tardy or absent, they are expected to contact the instructors in
advance. It is also expected that the student initiate conversation with the instructors
regarding their plan to make-up any missed coursework from the tardy or absence.
Prompt return from break times are expected, in addition to being present and ready for
the start of class. On-going issues related to attendance or punctuality will be
addressed by instructors verbally, and/or in the form of a written agreement. A student
may discharged for excessive absences or tardiness.

Dress: Clinical dress policies are discussed with students as part of their orientation to
the healthcare industry. It is recognized that not all individuals will have the desire or
means to mirror these standards; classroom dress code is considered to be business
casual. Individuals who may have a concern or questions regarding this should speak
to one of the instructors.

Behavior: This training is an opportunity to practice or enhance professional behaviors

for future employment. Students are expected to model their behavior as if they were in
the workplace, particularly in terms of punctuality, attendance, peer interactions, and
professional communication. Students and instructors will address issues that may arise
individually as needed; on-going concerns may be addressed in formal written plans,
and could result in discharge from the course.
Job Searches:
Because of the individualized nature of student goals, job searching can take place both
during training or after graduation. If a student would like to start job searching during
training, they should individually meet with Goodwill-Easter Seals staff to discuss career
goals and job readiness, and to have all application materials formally reviewed and
approved by staff. However, it is expected that students utilize class time to learn and
practice industry specific knowledge and skills and not on individual job searches. Staff
is available outside of class time for individual consultations and discussion.

For additional information on Goodwill-Easter Seals policies and expectations for this
course, consult your Handbook.

Resources and Accommodations: Students needing additional help or

accommodations to complete the training must contact the course instructor, Gabreal
Morales by phone: 612-314-1241 or email gcmorales@goodwilleasterseals.org or the
Career Specialist, Jacob Gilleland by phone at 612-314-1242 or by email at
jgilleland@goodwilleasterseals.org.

Other resources: Cassandra Avery, Program Manager

cavery@goodwilleasterseals.org; 651-379-5629