HSD 102 — Medical Office Assistant
This course introduces essential medical office skills, basic biological principles, and health services administration procedures. It emphasizes patient-centered care, professionalism, and healthcare operations. Students learn the administrative and communication skills required for entry-level employment in a healthcare setting, including medical terminology, patient interaction, appointment scheduling, medical record management, information processing, and the ethical and legal principles of confidentiality and compliance. Each student must complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised field experience, which supplements classroom instruction with professional practice. Students planning to register should contact the Health Studies Department during the semester prior to enrollment to begin the clearance process, which may include a health examination. Field placements must begin no later than the first week of the semester and all required hours must be completed by Week 15. Students are placed with approved healthcare employers and are required to maintain weekly time logs, submit an employer evaluation, and demonstrate professional conduct and reliability. Students who arrange their own placement must obtain departmental approval in advance.