Administrative Medical Assistant
Available at the State College and Altoona Campuses
The Administrative Medical Assistant program at South Hills trains you in the administrative, computer, and communication skills you’ll need for a career in a modern medical office—in any medical setting. As a student in the AMA program, you’ll learn essential skills such as handling EHR (electronic health records), billing and coding, reception, insurance, and more. AMA students graduate ready to go to work with knowledge in medical transcription & terminology, medical administrative & practice management skills, and hands-on experience with medical insurance forms & coding.
Our AMA graduates work in such positions as Medical Coder/Abstractor, Transcriptionist/Medical Scribe, Medical Billing Manager, Medical Unit Secretary, and Patient Service Representative.
Successful students in this program have good listening skills, are able to take directions well, are able to communicate clearly, and enjoy science & problem-solving.
AMA Program, Student, & Alumni News
[recent_post_slider show_category_name="false" design="design-4" category="50" show_author="false"]Complete Course List
Administrative Medical Assistant Course List for 2019-20
This program information appears in the 2019-20 school catalog. Click here for all course descriptions.
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | MD102 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD103 | Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE207 | Applied Psychology in Health Care | 3.0 | 36 | |
| GE183 | Business English I | 4.0 | 60 | |
| HI228 | Introduction to the Health Care Field | 4.0 | 60 | |
| OS103 | Keyboarding | 1.0 | 20 | |
| MD108 | Medical Terminology I | 3.0 | 36 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2.0 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 23.0 | 306 | ||
| Second Term | MD106 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 5.5 | 60 |
| MD107 | Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4.0 | 60 | |
| MD111 | Fundamentals of Medical Documentation | 2.0 | 30 | |
| GE179 | Mathematics for Health Care Professionals | 4.0 | 60 | |
| MD109 | Medical Terminology II | 3.0 | 36 | |
| CP284 | Microsoft Word | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 23.5 | 316 | ||
| Third Term | GE210 | Business English III | 3.5 | 60 |
| HI103 | Health Data Content and Reimbursement | 4.5 | 60 | |
| HI226 | ICD Coding I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD205 | Medical Documentation Applications | 3.5 | 60 | |
| HI102 | Pathophysiology | 5.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 21.5 | 300 | ||
| Fourth Term | HI225 | CPT-4 | 4.0 | 48 |
| MG107 | Customer Relations | 3.0 | 36 | |
| HI227 | ICD Coding II | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD240 | Medical Administrative Skills I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| CP287 | Microsoft Excel | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MD242 | Pharmacology | 3.0 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 23.5 | 300 | ||
| Fifth Term | MD244 | AMA Capstone Project | 1.5 | 30 |
| GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 | |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2.0 | 24 | |
| MD243 | Medical Administrative Skills II | 3.5 | 60 | |
| HI229 | Medical Legal Aspects | 3.0 | 36 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2.0 | 24 | |
| MD211 | Practice Management & EHR | 3.5 | 60 | |
| MD212 | Principles of Medical Insurance | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 22.5 | 330 | ||
| Sixth Term | MD245 | Administrative Medical Assistant Internship | 11.0 | 330 |
| CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 | |
| CD203 | Certification Preparation for the Administrative Medical Assistant | 2.0 | 21 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| AMA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | AMA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 127.5 Credits | 1,913 Clock Hours |
Careers in Administrative Medical Assistant
With two years of hands-on training and strong skillsets, our graduates are prepared for a variety of career options, including:
- Medical Billing Manager
- Medical Coder/Abstractor
- Medical Unit Secretary
- Office Manager
- Patient Service Representative
- Transcriptionist/Medical Scribe
Each student completes a spring-long internship before graduation, providing real world experience. We have placed interns at locations including:
- Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care
- Blair Medical Associates
- Cardiology Associates of Altoona
- Centre Psychology Group
- Geisinger Health Systems – Lewistown, Philipsburg, State College, & Lock Haven
- Healthcare Billing Consultants
- Martin & Suhey Orthopedics
- Medical Billing & Management Services
- Mount Nittany Physician Group
- Penn Highlands Healthcare
- Penn State Hershey Medical Group
- Tyrone Medical Associates
- University Orthopedics Center
- UPMC Altoona
South Hills Administrative Medical Assistant graduates are well-trained and in demand for their knowledge and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates include:
- Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care
- Cardiology Associates of Altoona
- Central Pennsylvania Podiatry
- Clearfield Hospital (Penn Highlands Clearfield)
- Geisinger Health System
- Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital
- Kotary, Detar and Associates
- Lechene Chiropractic
- Mount Nittany Medical Center
- Nittany Eye Associates
- Nittany Valley Foot & Ankle
- Tyrone Medical Associates
- UPMC Altoona
Meet the Faculty
Brenda Ream Stover,
RHIT, CCS, CPC, CPB, Approved Instructor
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Brenda previously served at Centre Community Hospital [Mount Nittany Medical Center] for 12 years as a transcriptionist, coder, and later as a supervisor for the coding and transcription departments.
Brenda’s accreditations include:
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC 2013
• Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, AHIMA 2009
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA 1998
• Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA 1991
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), Approved Instructor 2019
She holds the following professional memberships:
• AHIMA—American Health Information Management Association
• PHIMA— Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• CPHIMA—Central Pennsylvania Health Information Management Association
• AAPC—American Academy of Professional Coders
Pam Meister
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Pam Meister has taught at South Hills for 18 years. Pam is an instructor of anatomy and physiology and other health-related classes. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BSN in Nursing. Pam has practiced throughout the U.S. in the areas of Medical-Surgical, Psychiatric, and OR Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She is also a member of the Anatomy & Physiology Society, Inc., which is dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching of human anatomy and physiology.
Lisa James
Instructor
Altoona Campus
Program Advisory Committees
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Heather Antonuccio | Front End Trainer | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Jodi Butler | Financial Assistant | University Health Services, Pennsylvania State University |
| Kelly Ferguson | Remote Coder | Valley Health, Winchester, VA |
| Robin Garman | Vice-president | MD Office Solutions |
| Shannon Hilliard | Nurse Leader Primary Care | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Hannah Killinger, CPC | Medical Office Assistant | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Jennifer Longstreth | ACCESS Manager | Geisinger Gray's Woods |
| Melissa Minor | Nurse Leader Surgical Specialties | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Laura Moss | Director Revenue Cycle | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Rian Roan | Revenue Cycle Manager | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Deidra Shanley | CMA. Head Nurse | Toftrees Family Medicine |
| Ashley Shuey, CMA | Site Supervisor | Mount Nittany Physician Group |
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Amy Reighard | Administrator | Allegheny Regional Endoscopy |
| Carrie Maceno | Clinical Director | Blair Gastroenterology Associates |
| Kaitlynn Johnson | Medical Assistant II | Hillman Cancer Center |
| Marianne Beyer | Senior Practice Manager | Hillman Cancer Center |
| Kim Corle | RN Supervisor | UPMC Altoona Trauma |
| Alli Psaki Fishel | Administrative Coordinator | Home Nursing Agency |
| Mary Thayer | Practice Manager | Cardiology Associates of Altoona |
| Loeghan Pitts | Neurology CMA | Blair Medical Associates |
| Rosemarie Fox | Practice Manager | Reinhardt Family Practice |
| Lydia Garner | CMA | UPMC Hospital |
| Alyssa Robison, NCMA | Patient Care Manager | Blair Gastroenterology Associates |
