ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION

The Allied Health Education (AHE) designation includes all courses required for degrees or certificates offered in Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, and Pharmacy Technician. A two-year AAS degree is available for Medical Assistant and for Medical Billing and Coding. The focus is to offer entry-and intermediate-level healthcare career options and to provide a stepping stone into other healthcare professions. The educational goal is to provide quality programs that will give students the skills and knowledge needed to provide quality care for diverse patient populations.

Medical Assistant, AAS

Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work as a member of a health care team, performing a broad range of clinical and administrative tasks under the supervision of a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner.

Program graduates assist health care professionals in many aspects of medical practice, including patient care management, administrative, and clinical procedures. Students learn about the administrative duties of scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, performing basic secretarial skills and medical transcription, handling telephone calls, writing correspondence, serving as the liaison between the physician and other individuals, and managing practice finances. The clinical phase of the program is taught through intense training and hands-on application. Students learn to perform clinical duties, including asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting and processing specimens, performing selected diagnostic tests, administering injections, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician.

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Medical Billing and Coding, AAS

The Medical Billing and Coding degree program prepares students for billing/coding careers in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies. Medical coding specialists learn the translation of written documentation of disease, injuries, and/or medical procedures into alphanumeric classifications. Currently, reimbursement for health care services is dependent on the assignment of codes to describe diagnoses, services, and procedures. In addition to coding, professional reimbursement specialists must learn the medical billing process to conform to individual insurance requirements, electronic billing procedures, and responsibilities associated with electronic data management.

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The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.

Program Accreditation

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB). The address is Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; the phone number is (727) 210-2350 (www.caahep.org).

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate or AAS degree, graduates are then eligible to take a national certification exam approved by the Allied Health Department. Satisfactory completion of the national exam is a requirement to apply for certification in Washington State (RCW 18-360).

Upon successful completion of the Medical Billing and Coding AAS degree or certificate, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. The CPC credential is one of the American Academy of Professional Coder’s (AAPC) national certification examinations for healthcare school graduates to demonstrate proficiency across a wide range of outpatient services using all codes sets (CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS).The address of the certifying organization is, AAPC 2233 S Presidents Drive, Suite F, Salt Lake City, UT 84120.

The Pharmacy Technician certificate program is approved by the Pharmacy Technician Quality Assurance Commission of Washington State. The program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) allowing students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or other national exams that are required to obtain the Pharmacy Technician Credential. This program meets or exceeds the goals and objectives of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.