The Career Studies Certificate in Medical Office Studies is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level clerical positions in a medical/health care office environment. This program is part of the career pathway for the Administrative Support Technology program.

The Medical Administrative Office Specialist (MAOS) certificate program prepares individuals to work as front office staff in medical office settings. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Center Competency Test (NCCT) for certification

Designed to provide the technical knowledge and skills, along with the practical experience, needed for employment as a basic medical records coder. Assisted by specialized computer equipment and software, medical records coders analyze and interpret the patient’s record to determine the proper standardized codes that represent the patient’s diagnosis and treatment. These codes may be used for billing purposes, to create accurate standardized records, to maintain health statistics. The need for medical records coders will continue to increase as the health field continues to address reimbursement challenges and move toward a focus on quality improvement related to health care services.

Through didactic instruction, simulated experiences, and internship placements, graduates of Laurel Ridge Community College’s Health Information Management degree will have a working knowledge of healthcare data content, data structure and standards, information protection, including access, disclosure, archiving, privacy and security, health information technologies, revenue management, compliance (with state and federal regulations and common accreditation standards), and leadership concepts. They will have sufficient knowledge of the electronic storage, retrieval, and use of health information to ensure the efficient and effective flow of health information throughout the continuum of care, to support reimbursement, and for use in health research. In addition, they will be able to effectively communicate, in writing and verbally, information related to the research, planning, provision, and evaluation of everyday operations in all aspects of health care services. Students gain skills that will allow them to effectively manage the operations, workflow, and staff of health information and related departments. This program is beneficial to individuals who are seeking career advancement and eligibility to take the national certifying examination - Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and/or a certified coding credential. Occupational objectives upon completion of this program include: Health Information (Medical Records) Assistant/Technician, Medical Coder, Coding Manager/Supervisor, Health Information Supervisor/Office Manager, Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist, Privacy Officer/Assistant, Health Data Analyst, Cancer or Trauma Registrar, Healthcare Data Analyst, Data Quality Manager, or Department/Office Supervisor.

Graduates with this certificate seek jobs assigning medical codes to diagnoses and procedures in health facilities. The program is helpful for people who are seeking first-time employment, career growth or national certification.

To prepare graduates with skills in administrative aspects of health care, such as greeting patients and completing paperwork.

The Medical Office Coding & Procedures Certificate is designed to provide entry-level skills for individuals preparing for employment in the healthcare industry as medical coders, medical office assistants, medical secretaries, insurance billing specialists, or medical records technicians. The curriculum provides basics in diagnostic/procedural and medical terminology and coding, medical office procedures and the reporting of data to third party payers, insurance companies and government agencies for reimbursement.

This career studies certificate prepares individuals for entry-level responsibilities in the medical records/healthcare environment. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in accurately compiling and maintaining medical records of patients, reviewing medical records for completeness, using patient accounting and application software.

The Medical Receptionist Career Studies Certificate prepares individuals for entry-level responsibilities in the healthcare environment. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in basic document preparation – memos, letters, reports; creating and using spreadsheets, database reports, forms and queries, and presentations to be used in a healthcare setting. Using patient accounting software for patient record creation/maintenance, scheduling patients, and contemporary medical office procedures. Refine editing and proofreading skills.

The career studies certificate program is a response to the non-conventional short-term program of studies needed by many adults within the college region. It offers a series of specialized program options which represent a wide variety of adult career and academic interest course areas. The options within this program are intended to represent the minimum amount of college course work considered representative of these fields of study.

The Administrative Support Technology program is designed to help persons with the knowledge and skills needed to office jobs. It provides chances for those persons employed in office jobs as well as those seeking a promotion and/or a degree to upgrade their skills and knowledge of new methods, practices, and changes in business

This program is designed for persons seeking administrative assistant jobs in medical offices.

This program is designed for persons seeking jobs in a medical office setting doing medical coding and reimbursement.

The certificate program is designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment in a variety of local medical settings. The Health Information Management (HIM) Certificate program will prepare graduates for entry-level employment in a variety of local medical office settings (acute care facilities, outpatient physician offices and facilities, medical coding/billing, insurance companies, and more). Graduates will obtain the necessary knowledge and skills in areas such as basic medical coding, patient scheduling, health records maintenance, healthcare compliance, billing, and reimbursement. This program is also designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to take the National Coding Exam (CCA-Certificed Coding Associate) with AHIMA (The American Health Informaiton Management Association) and/or the National Coding Exam (CPC-Certified Professional Coder) with the AAPC (The American Academy of Professional Coders).

The career studies program is a response to the non-conventional, short-term program of study needs of many adults within the college region. It is designed on the basis of a series of specialized program options that represent a wide variety of career and academic interest course areas. These options include a minimum amount of course work considered representative of these fields of study. Each program option is designed as a distinct mini-curriculum within a broader range of adult education possibilities.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Health Information Management (HIM) can lead to careers in hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, consulting firms, and many other health related facilities. Graduates may seek positions as medical records technicians, coders, health information specialists, and similar designations.

Entrance requirements for this program include high school graduation or a GED. The program has a selective admission process for each fall semester cohort. Additional information about the admission process and program requirements is available online at tcc.edu (search keywords "HIM Program Packet").

Individuals in the Health Information Management program may elect to pursue professional certification following completion of the A.A.S. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers an examination toward the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), available to graduates of the HIM program.

The Health Information Management accreditor of Tidewater Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is designed for those who wish to enter employment as physical therapist assistants working under the supervision of a physical therapist. Graduates may work in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, fitness and wellness centers, public schools, and similar settings.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the PTA program, with 25 to 30 students admitted to the program each fall semester. Selection is highly competitive, and is based on a system of points using several criteria. Entrance requirements include VPT placement into MTH 154 with no co-requisite required or successful completion of an equivalent or higher level college math class; and successful completion of BIO 141, ENG 111, HLT 130, PSY 230, and SDV 101 (or SDV 100), with achievement in BIO 141 as a key admission determinant. Participation in a minimum of 40 documented observation hours in specific health care settings is required and applicants must submit recommendation letters from two separate employers, professional associates, physical therapy clinicians or professors.

Official transcripts from other colleges attended must be sent to Tidewater Community College, Office of the College Registrar, P.O. Box 9000, Norfolk, VA 23509, and be evaluated prior to the application deadline date. For further information regarding admission, continuance and graduation, go to tcc.edu (search keywords "physical therapist assistant").

Licensure is required in most states. In Virginia, program graduates must pass a national licensure examination.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program at Tidewater Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 757-822-7251 or email mbasinger@tcc.edu

The Career Studies Certificate in Medical Administrative Assistant prepares students in entry-level positions such as file clerk and office assistant in the health care field.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Administrative Support Technology with a Specialization in Medical Administrative Assistant is aimed specifically at those interested in positions working as administrative assistants, executive assistants, or office managers in the medical field. Students may choose a cooperative education option in which they earn academic credit while gaining work experiences at local health care sites.

This certificate is designed for students who are seeking employment in medical office administration. Over the next several years, opportunities for employment in this field are expected to grow.

The two-year program is designed to prepare the student with the philosophical, theoretical, and clinical knowledge to become a trained technical health care worker who can assist the physical therapist in meeting the physical therapy needs of the public. These needs include, but are not limited to, improving patient mobility, relieving pain, lessening the functional limitations that occur as a result of physical disability. The profession of physical therapy also includes health and wellness promotion, public education, and injury and disability prevention.

This program prepares students to perform skills to serve as medical transcriptionist in the healthcare setting.

This program prepares students to complete a one-year program of instruction in clerical skills related to the health field.