Medical office administration and practical
nursing are common diploma and certificate programs offered online.
Office administration programs teach students the specifics about
working in a medical office. Practical nursing programs equip students
with the skills to provide basic nursing care to patients while
supervised by a physician or registered nurse and often contain
in-person clinical requirements.
Online Diploma in Practical Nursing Overview
Online practical nursing diploma programs teach students basic
nursing concepts and skills. These programs are typically offered
through a school's health science department, but many schools have
specific departments dedicated to nursing. Students can complete the
online diploma in anywhere from six months to two years. Graduates of
the program are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure
Examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) which is a requirement for a
career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Practical nursing diploma programs typically require one year of
study and consist of an average of 40-course credit hours. Program
prerequisites can include medical terminology, computer technology and
nursing assistant courses as well as general science courses such as
biology and anatomy.
While all coursework in these programs is delivered online, most
contain clinics that must be completed in person. Each school's
in-person requirements vary in length and frequency. Online coursework
requires no additional hardware, but students may need specialized
software for certain classes.
List of Common Practical Nursing Courses
The coursework for online practical nursing diploma programs is
designed to provide students with an introduction to nursing and prepare
students for the NCLEX-PN examination. Most credits earned in diploma
programs are transferable to associate's degree nursing programs.
Pharmacology Course
This class covers the different types of drugs commonly used to
sedate, reduce pain and treat patients. The side effects of these drugs
and alternative drugs choices are discussed.
Family Nursing Course
Students in this course are introduced to the techniques and
procedures for caring for the childbearing family. Instruction includes
the psychological and normal bodily conditions that occur in pregnancy.
Patient growth from infancy to adulthood is discussed.
Principles and Practices of Nursing Course
This course provides students with a broad spectrum of techniques
used by practicing nurses. Topics covered include basic human nutrition,
fluid, sleep and psychological needs. Critical thinking and
communication skills, medical documentation and confidentiality are
covered in coursework.
Graduates of a practical nursing diploma program can work as a LPN.
Practical nurses care for patients under the supervision of physicians
and registered nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) in 2008 practical nurses earned an average annual salary of
approximately $39,000 (
www.bls.gov).
States require practical nurses to be licensed. Licensure requires
completion of an accredited program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. A
graduate of a nursing program can also continue his or her education and
earn an associate's degree in nursing or a related field such as health
care administration. These programs typically require two or more years
of study and are offered partially or totally online.
Diploma and certificate programs in medical office administration are
part of a school's health science or health technology departments.
Both programs instruct students in general office procedures, basic
patient recordkeeping and procedures for filing insurance claims.
Coursework in the different programs is often similar, with diploma
programs requiring more credit course hours and provide in-depth
coverage of office administration and coding procedures. Graduates of
diploma programs are able to sit for the Certified Professional Coder
examination offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (
www.aapc.com).
Medical office administration diploma programs consist of
approximately 40-course credit hours and typically require one year of
study. Certificate programs in the field are often shorter, requiring an
average of 20 credit hours and two semesters of study. Instruction
covers topics such as office protocol, patient orientation, insurance
coding and medical terminology. Programs are offered completely online
and do not require specific computer hardware or software components.
List of Common Medical Office Administration and Coding Courses
Medical office administration and coding diploma and certificate
programs teach students medical ethics and laws, billing procedures and
other techniques specific to working in a medical office. In diploma
programs, students may be required to complete general education courses
such as composition, computer science and public speaking.
Medical Insurance Coding Course
This course teaches students advanced diagnostic procedures, with a
focus on outpatient facilities. Students are taught the basic codes
commonly used in the medical field as well as more advanced codes used
in specialists' offices.
Medical Document Production Course
This course introduces students to creating and processing medical
documents, including test and lab reports, patient history and patient
files. Coursework focuses on accuracy and usability of paperwork created
inside a medical office.
Administrative Office Protocol Course
Students in this course are introduced to medical office procedures
such as appointment processing, medical records upkeep and office
safety. Techniques for interviewing patients are also covered in this
course.
Graduates of diploma or certificate programs in this field typically
go on to work as medical assistants or medical records clerks. Medical
assistants do administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and
bookkeeping, in a medical office, while medical records clerk gathers
patient medical records, including previous treatments, physician visits
and general medical history. The BLS reports that as recently as May
2008 medical assistants and medical records clerks earned an average
yearly salary of $30,000.
There are no continuing education requirements for students of a
medical office administration diploma program to work as a records clerk
or
office manager;
however, to manage larger facilities, students may choose to continue
their education to earn an associate's degree in business management.
These programs are offered online and can prepare students for
bachelor's degree programs in related fields.
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