Program Guide
Inpatient/Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Introduction and Program Orientation
Technology and The Medical Professional
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 1
Documentation, Confidentiality & Ethics
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 2
Evolution of Coding in the Healthcare Environment
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 3
Healthcare Structure and Organization
Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Disease Processes – Block 1
Exploring Pharmacology
Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Disease Processes – Block 2
Medical Record Content
Diagnostic Coding with ICD-9-CM – Block 1
Diagnostic Coding with ICD-9-CM – Block 2
Medical Procedural Coding – Block 1
Medical Procedural Coding – Block 2
Exploring Healthcare Reimbursement
Skill Building for Outpatient Coding
Skill Building for Inpatient Coding
Final Exam Overview & Preparation
Online Program Features:




Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers




Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Included Reference Materials*:



HCPCS Level II Coding Expert (Professional Edition may be substituted at the discretion of Career
Step)
ICD-9-CM Coding Expert for Hospitals Volumes 1-3 (Professional Edition may be substituted at the
discretion of Career Step)
CPT Coding Professional (Standard Edition may be substituted at the discretion of Career Step)
IMPORTANT: All reference materials and Ingenix software are updated annually each fall and are time
sensitive. The current available edition of these materials are shipped or made available online upon
request when the student has reached the medical records module, in advance of entering the ICD-9-CM
and Medical Procedural Coding modules. Once shipped or made available online, these materials may
not be returned and new releases of the materials will only be available for additional cost at retail prices.
It is important that these materials are not requested, for each student, until they are needed.
Other Materials*: Subject to change based upon current supplier. This inclusion may be discontinued at
any time.












3M Encoding software including the following:
AHA Coding Clinic
AMA CPT Assistant
Clinical Pharmacology Drug Reference
Dorland's Medical Dictionary and Elsevier's Anatomy Plates
AHA Coding Clinics for HCPCS
Coders' Desk Reference from Ingenix
Faye Brown's ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook
The Merck Manual
Dictionary of medical acronyms and abbreviations
Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test References
Dr. Z's Interventional Radiology Coding Reference
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of graduation from the Inpatient/Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing Program. The Career Step final
exam is divided into two portions, objective and practical portion. In order to receive a graduation
*
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.
certificate, the objective and practical portions must each be passed with an 85% or better. The exam may
be taken up to three times.
Certificates will be issued by Career Step in accordance with the following achievement levels:




Certificate of Completion upon three failures of the final exam.
Certificate of Graduation, 85 to 89.99%
Certificate of Graduation with Honors, 90 to 94.99%
Certificate of Graduation with High Honors, 95 to 100%
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Career Guidance Package*:

Graduate Consultation – Opportunities to visit with a career guidance counselor to develop career
plans.

Employment Search Resource Overview – Brief resource guide to optimize employment search and
networking opportunities.

Evaluation of resume or sales letter

Referral Letter – A letter to accompany a resume to introduce Career Step to a potential employer.

1 Year Help Hotline after graduation – Toll Free assistance when you can’t get help from your
employer. Subject to the ongoing operation of Career Step as a school offering Inpatient/Outpatient
Medical Coding and Billing.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:
 Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 1
 Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 2
 Evolution of Coding in the Healthcare Environment
 Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 3
 Healthcare Structure and Organization
 Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 1
 Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 2
 Exploring Healthcare Reimbursement
Academic Partner Instructor, Staff, or Administration Access To Online Program Material: Due to annual
licensing expenses, Career Step will include and provide access for three instructors, staff members, or
administrators at Academic Partner free of charge. Should Academic Partner desire to maintain on-going
and regular access to the Program for additional instructors, staff members, or administrators there will be
an annual fee of $25.00 per user. This fee will be charged immediately upon addition of a user and
annually thereafter when updated material is released.
*
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support via email and toll free phone number during the initial 1-year enrollment period and
during each extension of the enrollment period.
Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Introduction and Program Orientation
Technology and The Medical Professional
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 1
Documentation, Confidentiality & Ethics
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 2
Evolution of Coding in the Healthcare Environment
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology – Block 3
Healthcare Structure and Organization
Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Disease Processes – Block 1
Exploring Pharmacology
Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Disease Processes – Block 2
Medical Record Content
Diagnostic Coding with ICD-9-CM – Block 1
Diagnostic Coding with ICD-9-CM – Block 2
Exploring Healthcare Reimbursement
Medical Procedural Coding – Block 1
Medical Procedural Coding – Block 2
Skill Building for Outpatient Coding
Skill Building for Inpatient Coding
Final Exam Overview & Preparation
Online Program Features:








Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers
Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Included Reference Materials*:


*
Stedman’s or Dorland’s Full-Size Medical Dictionary (at the discretion of Career Step)
HCPCS Level II Coding Expert (Professional Edition may be substituted at the discretion of Career
Step)
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.




ICD-9-CM Coding Expert for Hospitals Volumes 1-3 (Professional Edition may be substituted at the
discretion of Career Step)
CPT Coding Professional (Standard Edition may be substituted at the discretion of Career Step)
The Merck Manual of Medical Information, Home Edition (available while supplies last)
Saunder’s Nursing Drug Handbook
IMPORTANT: The Medical Dictionary, The Merck Manual, and Saunder’s Nursing Drug Handbook are
shipped upon enrollment. All other reference materials, Diagnostic Coding with ICD-9-CM, all Site 2
materials and Ingenix software are updated annually each fall and are time sensitive. The current
available editions of coding materials are shipped or made available online upon request when the student
has reached the medical records module, in advance of entering the ICD-9-CM and Medical Procedural
Coding modules. Once shipped or made available online, these materials may not be returned and new
releases of the materials will only be available for additional cost at retail prices. It is important that these
materials are not requested, for each student, until they are needed.
Other Materials*: Ingenix 90-day trial Encoder Pro Expert coding software. Subject to change based upon
current supplier. This inclusion may be discontinued at any time.
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of graduation from the Outpatient Medical Coding and Billing Program. The Career Step final exam is
divided into two portions, objective and practical portion. In order to receive a graduation certificate, the
objective and practical portions must each be passed with an 85% or better. The exam may be taken up to
three times.
Certificates will be issued by Career Step in accordance with the following achievement levels:




Certificate of Completion upon three failures of the final exam.
Certificate of Graduation, 85 to 89.99%
Certificate of Graduation with Honors, 90 to 94.99%
Certificate of Graduation with High Honors, 95 to 100%
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Career Guidance Package*:

Graduate Consultation – Opportunities to visit with a career guidance counselor to develop career
plans.

Employment Search Resource Overview – Brief resource guide to optimize employment search and
networking opportunities.

Evaluation of resume or sales letter

Referral Letter – A letter to accompany a resume to introduce Career Step to a potential employer.
*
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.

1 Year Help Hotline after graduation – Toll Free assistance when you can’t get help from your
employer. Subject to the ongoing operation of Career Step as a school offering Outpatient Medical
Coding and Billing Program.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:








Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 1
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 2
Evolution of Coding in the Healthcare Environment
Learning and Mastering Medical Terminology, Block 3
Healthcare Structure and Organization
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 1
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 2
Exploring Healthcare Reimbursement
Academic Partner Instructor, Staff, or Administration Access To Online Program Material: Due to annual
licensing expenses, Career Step will include and provide access for three instructors, staff members, or
administrators at Academic Partner free of charge. Should Academic Partner desire to maintain on-going
and regular access to the Program for additional instructors, staff members, or administrators there will be
an annual fee of $25.00 per user. This fee will be charged immediately upon addition of a user and
annually thereafter when updated material is released.
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support via email and toll free phone number during the initial 1-year enrollment period and
during each extension of the enrollment period.
Medical Transcription Editor Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Program Orientation
Medical Transcription Editing Industry
Technology and The Medical Professional
Keyboard Kinetics
Medical Word Building
Grammar and Punctuation
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 1
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 2
Mastering Medical Language
Pharmacology
Healthcare Documentation
Diagnostic Reports
Focus on Medical Specialties
Midterm
Introduction to Transcription
Transcription Clinic Notes
Transcription Basic Acute Care
Transcription Advanced Acute Care
Editing Theory
Editing Technique
Editing Clinic Notes
Editing Acute Care
Final Exam Preparation
Online Program Features:










Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Pronunciation words to assist students in learning the medical and pharmaceutical terms
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers
Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Automated text comparison that evaluates transcribed reports against a standard key
Included Reference Materials*: BenchMark KB 15-month subscription
Other Materials*: PC transcription foot pedal (Subject to change based upon current supplier); Editing
Software
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of graduation from the Medical Transcription Editor Program. The Career Step final exam is divided into
two portions, objective and transcription. In order to receive a graduation certificate, the objective and
transcription portions must each be passed with an 85% or better. The exam may be taken up to three
times.
Certificates will be issued by Career Step in accordance with the following achievement levels:




Certificate of Completion upon three failures of the final exam.
Certificate of Graduation, 85 to 89.99%
Certificate of Graduation with Honors, 90 to 94.99%
Certificate of Graduation with High Honors, 95 to 100%
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Career Guidance Package*:

Graduate Consultation – Opportunities to visit with a career guidance counselor to develop career
plans.

Placement Direct – For graduates seeking employment, Placement Direct provides tutorial
information about resume building, successful interviewing and employment testing, employment
considerations (such as home-based vs. on-site employment, employee vs. independent contractor
status, etc.), building a business and obtaining contracts and so on. Placement Direct also provides
various tools to assist graduates in researching and identifying their placement preferences,
identifying potential employers that meet their needs (depending on their employment preferences),
tracking their applications, reporting their employment to Career Step, etc.

Evaluation of resume or sales letter

Referral Letter – A letter to accompany a resume to introduce Career Step to a potential employer.

1 Year Help Hotline after graduation – Toll Free assistance when you can’t get help from your
employer. Subject to the ongoing operation of Career Step as a school offering medical transcription.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:





*
Medical Word Building
Grammar & Punctuation
Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Disease, Blocks 1 and 2
Mastering Medical Language
Pharmacology
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.




Healthcare Documentation
Diagnostic Reports
Focus on Medical Specialties
Editing Theory
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support via email and toll free phone number during the initial 1-year enrollment period and
during each extension of the enrollment period.
Medical Transcription Editor Supplemental Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Program Orientation
Medical Transcription Editing Industry
Editing Theory
Editing Technique
Editing Clinic Notes
Editing Acute Care
Final Exam Preparation
Online Program Features:










Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Pronunciation words to assist students in learning the medical and pharmaceutical terms
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers
Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Automated text comparison that evaluates transcribed reports against a standard key
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of completion from the Medical Transcription Editor Supplemental Program. The Career Step final exam
is divided into two portions, objective and transcription. Each portion must be passed with an 85% or
better, and each portion may be taken up to three times.
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:

Editing Theory
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support for four months during the initial enrollment via email and toll free phone number.
Career Step, LLC
Confidential and Proprietary
STG_297347.2
MTE Supp - 1
Academic Partner Agreement
Rev. 03/10
Medical Transcription Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Program Orientation
Technology and The Medical Professional
Keyboard Kinetics
Medical Word Building
Grammar and Punctuation
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 1
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 2
Mastering Medical Language
Pharmacology
Building the Medical Record
Diagnostic Reports
Focus on Medical Specialties
Midterm
Perfect the Text
Introduction to Transcription
Clinic Notes
Enhancing Productivity
Basic Acute Care
Advanced Acute Care
Final Exam Preparation
Online Program Features:










Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Pronunciation words to assist students in learning the medical and pharmaceutical terms
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers
Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Automated text comparison that evaluates transcribed reports against a standard key
Included Reference Materials*: BenchMark KB 15-month subscription
Other Materials*: Transcription foot pedal (Subject to change based upon current supplier)
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of graduation from the Medical Transcription Program. The Career Step final exam is divided into two
portions, objective and transcription. In order to receive a graduation certificate, the objective and
transcription portions must each be passed with an 85% or better. The exam may be taken up to three
times.
Certificates will be issued by Career Step in accordance with the following achievement levels:




Certificate of Completion upon three failures of the final exam.
Certificate of Graduation, 85 to 89.99%
Certificate of Graduation with Honors, 90 to 94.99%
Certificate of Graduation with High Honors, 95 to 100%
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Career Guidance Package*:

Graduate Consultation – Opportunities to visit with a career guidance counselor to develop career
plans.

Placement Direct – For graduates seeking employment, Placement Direct provides tutorial
information about resume building, successful interviewing and employment testing, employment
considerations (such as home-based vs. on-site employment, employee vs. independent contractor
status, etc.), building a business and obtaining contracts and so on. Placement Direct also provides
various tools to assist graduates in researching and identifying their placement preferences,
identifying potential employers that meet their needs (depending on their employment preferences),
tracking their applications, reporting their employment to Career Step, etc.

Evaluation of resume or sales letter

Referral Letter – A letter to accompany a resume to introduce Career Step to a potential employer.

1 Year Help Hotline after graduation – Toll Free assistance when you can’t get help from your
employer. Subject to the ongoing operation of Career Step as a school offering medical transcription.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:





Medical Word Building
Grammar & Punctuation
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 1
Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Disease Processes, Block 2
Mastering Medical Language
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the
time of registration
*





Pharmacology
Building the Medical Record
Diagnostic Reports
Focus on Medical Specialties
Perfect the Text
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support via email and toll free phone number during the initial 1-year enrollment period and
during each extension of the enrollment period.
Pharmacy Technician Training Program
Online Curriculum Content (PROVIDED ONLINE ONLY):
Program Orientation
Working at a Pharmacy
Computer Fundamentals
Keyboard Kinetics
Pharmacology
Pharmacy Law, Regulations, and Standards
Business of Pharmacy
Prescriptions
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Nonsterile Compounding
Retail Pharmacy Practice
Institutional Pharmacy Practice
Preparing for the Workforce
Final Exam Preparation
Online Program Features:








Student access control requiring individual sign-on and password for each student – each student may
only access his/her own record
Administrative/Instructor access control allowing access to only Academic Partner student records
Automatic Grading for exercises and tests
Career Step Student Forum access for access to Program-related questions and answers
Career Step Chat room access for participation in Career Step scheduled chat sessions and organized
chats
Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions
Automated help function to direct questions to the appropriate support person
Integrated Program Structure that divides the text into manageable sessions and lessons
Included Reference Material*:

Paradigm’s Pocket Guide for Technicians
Final Examination:
All students must complete and pass the final examination in order to receive a Career Step certification
of graduation from the Pharmacy Technician Training Program. In order to receive a graduation
certificate, the final exam must be passed with an 85% or better. The exam may be taken up to three
times.
Certificates will be issued by Career Step in accordance with the following achievement levels:

*
Certificate of Completion upon three failures of the final exam.
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.



Certificate of Graduation, 85 to 89.99%
Certificate of Graduation with Honors, 90 to 94.99%
Certificate of Graduation with High Honors, 95 to 100%
All qualified students will be awarded a Career Step certificate. Academic Partner may award its own
certificate in addition to the Career Step certificate, at its option.
Career Guidance Package*:

Graduate Consultation – Opportunities to visit with a career guidance counselor to develop career
plans.

Evaluation of resume or sales letter

1 Year Help Hotline after graduation – Toll Free assistance when you can’t get help from your
employer. Subject to the ongoing operation of Career Step as a school offering Pharmacy Technician.
Optional Text Companion: Includes the text version of the following:






Pharmacology
Pharmacy Law, Regulations, and Standards
Business of Pharmacy
Prescriptions
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Retail Pharmacy Practice
Academic Partner Instructor, Staff, or Administration Access To Online Program Material: Due to annual
licensing expenses, Career Step will include and provide access for three instructors, staff members, or
administrators at Academic Partner free of charge. Should Academic Partner desire to maintain on-going
and regular access to the Program for additional instructors, staff members, or administrators there will be
an annual fee of $25.00 per user. This fee will be charged immediately upon addition of a user and
annually thereafter when updated material is released.
Support Services. Career Step shall provide student course support and student technical (technology
related) support via email and toll free phone number during the initial 6-month enrollment period and
during each extension of the enrollment period.
*
To be disclosed to all students by Academic Partner in writing to all students prior to or at the time of registration.