Program Overview

Patient Service Representative Proficiency Certificate

About This Certificate

Our Patient Service Representative (PSR) proficiency certificate program will teach you about the administrative components of a medical practice. You will learn how to collect demographic and insurance information, schedule patients according to the provider’s guidelines and protocols, collect payments associated with services rendered, and any other duties necessary to provide efficient, timely services to the patients and their families.

Upon receiving your proficiency certificate, you may enter the workforce. Since only a few additional courses separate the PSR certificate and the Health Care Studies (HCS) degree program, many students who complete the PSR certificate also choose to earn their HCS degree. Those who earn the HCS degree can transfer to many four-year college and universities.

Program Entry Requirements

This certificate is open to interested students. Students are required to satisfy placement at the time of admission. Students who are identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactory complete the appropriate English and mathematics course as part of the certificate.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the certificate requires a "C" grade or better in each of the courses listed. In order to receive a "C" grade or better and thus demonstrate competency, students must complete assignments, exams and participate in class activities.

General Education Requirements

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form.

Overview

The Patient Service Representative Proficiency Certificate has been designed to provide students with the opportunity to seek employment in a variety of health care settings. This proficiency certificate focuses only on the administrative components of a medical practice. The patient service representative is responsible for greeting patients and families, collecting demographic and insurance information, scheduling patients according to the provider's guidelines and protocols, collecting payments associated with services rendered, and any other duties necessary to provide efficient, timely services to the patients and their families.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the courses in this certificate will be able to:

• Use the correct terminology for diseases, symptoms, diagnostic studies and treatments.
• Perform computerized administrative and financial procedures used in medical practices.
• Perform front office administrative and financial procedures required in a medical setting.
• Demonstrate the use of effective therapeutic communication skills in health care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic ethical and legal issues in health care.

Course Sequence

Semester 1

• AH 103 - Medical Terminology (3 credits)
• ENGL 101 - English Composition or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors) (3 credits)
• CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology (3 credits)
• AH 112 - Medical Administrative Procedures (3 credits)

Semester 2

• AH 116 - Interpersonal and Professional Skills in the Health Care Setting (3 credits)
• AH 204 - Medical Law and Ethics (3 credits)
• AH 220 - Information Management Systems in Health Care (3 credits)

Career Outlook

• Medical and Health Service Manager - est. salary $123,511
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistants- est. salary $41,641

Featured Career

Medical Secretary

Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports.

• Starting Pay: $41,641
• Typical Tasks:
  • Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
  • Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
  • Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
  • Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
  • Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.

Related Programs

• Health Care Studies
• Health Services Management
• Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate