Could you be the next face of health care? As a medical receptionist, your job will be to greet patients in a health care setting (doctor’s office, hospital, allied healthcare or specialist clinic), as well as perform administrative duties.
The Certificate of Medical Reception and Office Administration is a comprehensive online professional development program that will prepare you for a fulfilling career as a medical receptionist or administrator.
In this medical reception and administration course, you will learn how to perform a diverse range of administrative and reception duties, including providing advice to clients, processing referrals and maintaining medical accounts for a range of patients.
You will also learn how to schedule appointments, file medical records, manage medical billing as well as learn how to communicate with clients and use appropriate medical terminology.
Health care is a growth industry in Australia and job prospects are positive. So, this course, developed in consultation with industry experts to reflect the latest medical administration training, is the first step in pursuing a career that’s secure and in-demand.
On completion of this course, you will have gained essential skills and knowledge necessary to successfully work in a medical reception or administration role.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Patient record-keeping systems
- Patient record-keeping systems
- Policies and procedures
- Legislative requirements
- Record keeping processes
- Communication to personnel
- System operations
- Roles and responsibilities
- Job descriptions
- Induction training
- Operation of patient records system
- Maintain patient records
- Medical coding
- Staff training
- System efficiency
- Integrity of patient records
- Security of patient records
- Confidentiality of patient records
- Transferring records authorisation
- Archiving records
- Improve patient records system
- Monitor and review
- Identify improvements
- Implement approved recommendations
- Deliver staff training
Unit 2 - Prepare and process medical accounts
- Identify patient fee schedule for different services
- Advising patients of fee schedule
- Medical benefits scheme (MBS)
- Australian Medical Association (AMA)
- MBS and AMA item numbers
- Advise patients of entitlements and rebates
- Medicare benefits
- Medicare card
- Medicare forms
- Medicare rebates and safety net
- Bulk billing
- Reciprocal health care agreements
- Services not covered by medicare
- Other entitlement programs
- Legislation
- Communication skills
- Schedule medical appointments
- Health and safety legislation
- Procedures and policies
- Scheduling and changing appointments
- Check referrals to ensure validity
- Follow correct procedures
- Referral procedures and validity
- Filing referral letters
- Billing policies and procedures
- Patient information and confidentiality
- Issuing and payment of accounts
- Private accounts
- Procedures not eligible for Medicare rebate
- Electronically generated accounts
- Account and billing documentation
- Department of Veterans affairs (DVA)
- DVA manual and electronic claiming
- Workers compensation
- Motor vehicle accident claims (CTP)
- Process accounts
- Receive and document payments
- Issuing receipts
- Cash payments
- Receipting methods
- Combined account/receipt
- Reconciling medicare payments
- Discrepancies and overdue/unpaid accounts
- Storing financial records
Unit 3 - Medical terminology
- Receive and interpret medical terminology
- Pronunciation
- Medical words
- Eponyms
- Major human body systems
- Illness, injuries and medical conditions
- Investigations and procedures
- Medical equipment and instruments
- Medications
- Specialist medical practitioners
- Hospital departments
- Checklists
- Abbreviations
- Dr’s abbreviations
- Policies and procedures
- Medical dictionary
- Routine tasks
- Ordering and receiving goods
- Surgery types/terminology
- Drug names
- Surgical procedure references
- Produce draft for verification
Unit 4 - Maintain patient records
- Patient record
- Privacy legislation
- Record maintenance responsibilities
- Roles and responsibilities
- Induction and training
- Policies and procedures
- Performance reviews
- Documented procedures record-keeping
- Accessing documented procedures
- Unclear procedures
- Access patient records
- Facilitate patient visit
- Confirm /Check patient details
- Create new patient records
- Health and safety legislation
- Communication details
- Check records following patient visit
- Store patient records
- Filing systems
- Colour coding
- Chronological filing
- Maintain records
- Checks on patient files
- File movement register
- Archiving patient files
- Disposal schedule
- Archiving digital records
- Transfer patient files
- Monitor and review role
- Review own role
- Identify improvements
- Continuous improvement cycle
Unit 5 - Confidentiality, privacy and security in a medical environment
- Accepted codes of conduct
- Work approved by health practitioner
- Legislation
- Policies and procedures
- Medical terminology
- Complete tasks in a timely manner
- Clarify unclear procedures
- Treat patients and colleagues with respect
- Act with honesty and integrity
- Conflict of interests
- Confidentiality and privacy procedures
- Discretion for all communication
- Privacy legislation
- Australian privacy principles (APPs)
- Preparing patient records
- Dealing with family/ friends
- Power of attorney
- Report infectious diseases
- Security procedures
- Secure patient records
- Clearly label and store securely
- Record formats
- Storage and security
- Drugs and equipment storage
- Health and safety
Unit 6 -Provide reception services for a practice
- Staff and client communication
- Process mail
- Telephone etiquette
- Quality customer service
- Client appointment bookings
- Services and fee-structure
- Communication flow
- Office administration tasks
- Information and records systems
- Integrity and accuracy of information
- Knowledge of the practice
- Policies and procedures
- Code of conduct
- Preparing business documents
- Updating client records
- Routine financial activities
- Cash control
- Receipts
- Stock levels / stockpiling
- Ordering supplies
- Waste management
- Process and issue accounts
- Receipts
- Billing policies and procedures
- Bulk Billing
- Medicare cards
- Electronic accounts
- Paying accounts
- Routine financial documents
- Bookkeeping
- Cash entries
- Health care assistance
- Using medical terminology
- Written communication
- Abbreviations
- Surgery terminology
- Drug names
- Seek clarification
- Routine tasks
- Process referrals
- Referral charges
- Patient interactions
- Working effectively
- Work schedules / activity logs
- Team goals
- Mission and values statements
- To do lists
- Employer and employee rights
- Contracts of employment
- Anti-discrimination legislation
- Health and safety legislation
- Fair work act 2009 (Cth)
- National employment standards
- Regular staff meetings
- Cost of meetings
- Performance plans
- KPI’s
- Workplace diversity
- Respect organisation culture
- Abilities and boundaries
- Feedback
- Team goals
- Supporting your team
- Accepting help
- Promote cooperation
- Building productive relationships
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
One (1) Free Optional Typing Speed and Accuracy Test. This typing test is marked according to Australian Standards. Conditions apply.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- Twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 75 hours. Twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
Yes! The cost for printed materials for this course is $50 per unit. Total cost for optional printed materials is: $250.00. Printed materials are optional and not required to complete the course. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online via our e-learning system.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Administration Assistant
- Specialist Medical Secretary
- Hospital Ward Clerk
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