Online Health Care Degree

Online health care degree programs are for distance education students who are interested in learning and working in the health care environment, but do not wish to have physical contact in the way that a medical assistant, nurse and doctor associates with a patient. These accreditation come in a variety of levels including certificates, associates, bachelors, masters and doctorates. Unfortunately at this time any programs requiring a lab component to a course cannot be taken online. Perhaps in the future this will change, but this is a reason why online health care degrees are limited in nature to teaching the fundamental skills as they pertain to the administration and organizational needs of the healthcare field.

Classes in a typical program primarily consist of general business and management courses. In addition to a business core, online health care degrees cover various types of health related subjects. A medical office management course is usually required. This course provides an overview in medical ethics and liability, communications, records management, insurance claims and billing, fundamental anatomical descriptions, and the understanding of other procedures likely to be seen in a medical office setting. A medical terminology course is almost always required. This course enables a professional online health care degree graduate to be familiarized with the language used in the medical field. Medical coding, billing and recording classes are also part of the fundamental curriculum in the program.

Upon graduation, the student can begin employment as a medical office manager, a billing and coding specialist, a claims specialist, or any other number of non-medical positions within a doctor's office, clinic or hospital. Nurses or other medical professionals may obtain online health care degrees in order to become aware of the administrative practices in a medical office. Healthcare management includes a wide range of administrative responsibilities. Healthcare managers are needed members of the health delivery team, usually working behind the scenes, supporting the business side of the practice of medicine. They keep the office running smoothly from the receptionists desk to the supply room, from the lab to the cashier, and so much more.

If the student is interested in pursuing their education further, they should be aware of accreditation requirements needed for the transferability of college credits. Most online schools are accredited by the DETC or Distance Education and Training Council. This nationally recognized private accrediting agency reviews an institution's curriculum for adherence to a previously set forth set of uniform academic standards. Once the school has been approved, a probationary time is served. At the end of the probationary period, a school is awarded full accreditation. The school is then periodically reviewed for continual adherence. It is strongly advised that prospective students speak with an academic counselor and pray for God's help to determine which online health care degree is best suited to fulfill personal or professional goals. "For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation" (Psalm 149:4).

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