Academy of Health Professions

Lowell Campus Evenings and Weekends

Program Description:

The Medical Receptionist Certificate program consists of 18 college credits, including both academic and career courses. This program enables the student to build the skills necessary to work at the reception desk in an outpatient health setting. Tasks a medical receptionist in these areas may perform include the following: answering telephones and taking messages, scheduling appointments and greeting patients, data entry and review of patient information, obtaining and/or verifying patient insurance information, explaining patient rights and obtaining signatures as required by state and federal legislation, taking payments and copayments, and working with medical records (paper and electronic). Career exploration is an essential component of this program. In addition, students obtain CPR and first aid certification, as well as strengthen college and academic reading skills.

Career and Transfer Outlook:

Medical receptionists usually obtain employment in physician’s offices, clinics or hospitals. They may also work in laboratories, insurance companies and nursing homes. Hours are usually day or evening, and may include weekends. After completing the Medical Receptionist Certificate program, a student becomes eligible to enroll in either of two Level II Academy of Health Professions certificate programs (Medical Secretary or Phlebotomy).

Graduates of the Medical Receptionist Certificate program are prepared to assume entry-level employment as receptionists in a variety of medical/health care settings, such as hospitals and clinics, or in group and individual physician offices. Upon satisfactory completion of this certificate, students will be eligible to move up the career ladder by taking additional college-level courses and meeting requirements for other certificates or associate degrees in a health career.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Medical Receptionist Certificate program are prepared to:

• Perform the responsibilities and duties of the medical receptionist in a variety of health care environments;
• Demonstrate professional and ethical work habits as they apply to health care environments;
• Navigate the Microsoft Windows environment and specific computer applications as required in a medical or dental office setting;
• Exhibit proficiency in entering information into a computerized database system.