Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

The standards and/or benchmarks for this program were updated for the 2026-27 academic year.

Program Title:	Medical Office Specialist
Career Cluster:	Business Management and Administration

College Credit Certificate	
CIP Number	0551071001	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	18 credit hours	
CTSO	PBL, BPA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Medical Office Administration AS degree program (1551070500).   

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Business Management and Administration career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Business Management and Administration career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to: communication and customer service skills; computer skills, medical records management; information technology and processing; legal and ethical issues; medical terminology; insurance claims and billing; and assisting in the administration of policy. 

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 18 credit hours.

When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related AS and AAS degrees.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate effective communication skills. 
02.0	Perform medical office activities.  
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of medical office management software, word processing, spreadsheet, and other office software commonly used in a medical office. 
04.0	Practice effective Records Information Management (RIM) techniques.   
05.0	Demonstrate employability and workplace skills.  

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Medical Office Specialist
CIP Number:	0551071001
Program Length:	18 credit hours

This certificate program is part of the Medical Office Administration AS degree program (1551070500).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate effective communication skills. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify and use appropriate conferencing tools for professional communication.	
01.02	Demonstrate effective internal and external customer service skills.	
01.03	Identify current communication technologies.	
01.04	Effectively utilize appropriate oral and written communication skills in diverse business settings.	
01.05	Demonstrate effective teamwork skills. 	
01.06	Demonstrate ability to manage conflict.	
01.07	Describe the importance of professionalism in business communications.	
01.08	Demonstrate effective listening skills.	
01.09	Compose professional correspondence and documents with accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word usage.	
01.10	Research and interpret information retrieved from print and electronic resources.	
01.11	Research and compose a document containing statistical information.	
01.12	Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.	
01.13	Identify preventive strategies to address communication issues in the medical office setting. 	
02.0	Perform medical office activities.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Accurately document medical correspondence and patient information in a timely and professional manner.	
02.02	Translate medical terms and abbreviations into the appropriate long form.	
02.03	Demonstrate appropriate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word choice of medical terms.	
02.04	Identify inconsistencies, errors, and missing information within a medical report.	
02.05	Explain the importance of physician approval of health records.	
02.06	Practice patient confidentiality guidelines and legal documentation requirements.	
02.07	Enter medical reports into electronic health records systems.	
02.08	Use medical references and resource materials as needed. 	
02.09	Demonstrate compliance with all federal and state health care regulations. 	
03.0	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of medical office management software, word processing, spreadsheet, and other office software commonly used in a medical office. The student will be able to:	
03.01	Create and format medical documents using word processing software.	
03.02	Create and edit templates and forms for the medical office.	
03.03	Prepare scanned documents for transmission or storage.	
03.04	Prepare a document using mail merge and variable information.	
03.05	Use technology to access, research, analyze, and interpret medical information.	
03.06	Use appropriate software to create, maintain and manage documents and produce reports.	
03.07	Define differences between operating systems and software applications. 	
03.08	Explain the importance of ongoing education and staying current with emerging technologies in healthcare administration.	
04.0	Practice effective Records Information Management (RIM) techniques. The student will be able to:	
04.01	Index, code, sort, file, and cross-reference medical materials manually and electronically.	
04.02	Describe the process of an effective inventory of medical records.	
04.03	List and describe methods of protecting vital medical records.	
04.04	Identify the procedures of medical records forms control (i.e., retention, disposal, recovery).	
04.05	Compare and contrast the characteristics of centralized and decentralized filing systems.	
04.06	Identify procedures for confidentiality (i.e., HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)).	
04.07	Identify safety and security procedures for transmitting and storing medical information.	
05.0	Demonstrate employability and workplace skills.  The student will be able to: 	
05.01	Identify sources of employment opportunities.	
05.02	Describe the job search process.	
05.03	Create a professional resume and cover letter tailored to specific job opportunities.	
05.04	Complete a job application.	
05.05	Identify different types of job interviews and demonstrate effective job interview techniques for each.	
05.06	Identify pre- and post- interview strategies.	
05.07	Identify and demonstrate appropriate responses to feedback from supervisors.	
05.08	Identify and demonstrate professionalism, proper business etiquette and acceptable work habits.	
05.09	Identify organizational structure, chain of command, and the importance of appropriate protocol.	
05.10	Identify methods for securing an employment reference.	
05.11	Identify career advancement opportunities and demonstrate effective networking behaviors.	
05.12	Identify stress management strategies and techniques.	
05.13	Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills in a professional environment.	
05.14	Demonstrate ability to work effectively with diverse populations.	
05.15	Demonstrate ability to work as a team member.	
05.16	Describe confidentiality and privacy issues in the workplace.	
05.17	Describe the importance of customer service to an organization.	
05.18	Describe the importance of an employee’s ability to be flexible in the workplace.	
05.19	Demonstrate effective time management skills.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

CTSOs are co-curricular career and technical student organizations providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. Other CTSOs not listed in this curriculum framework or recognized by the Florida Department of Education are permissible provided they support student mastery over the standards and benchmarks of this curriculum framework.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.