Medical Assisting

This course is an introduction to clinical procedures performed in the medical office. Students practice obtaining vital signs and medical histories, maintaining exam rooms, preparing for, and assisting with routine and specialty exams, and performing diagnostic testing, including eye and respiratory testing. OSHA standards, communication techniques, cultural diversity, charting, patient education, therapeutic modalities, assistive devices, and nutritional and wellness concepts are also covered.

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the normal structure and function, disorders and abnormalities, diagnostic procedures, and pharmacology associated with cardiology, pediatrics, geriatrics, urology, and the immune system. Infection control, aseptic techniques, OSHA standards for healthcare settings, and disease transmission will be introduced and discussed. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competency in the following areas: patient assessment, vital signs, chemical testing, macroscopic and microscopic examination of urine, and bacteriological testing. Students will learn the required procedures and steps for preparing the patient for a general physical examination and the proper clinical lab procedures, in addition to learning proper aseptic techniques, surgical asepsis, and surgical supplies and instruments.

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the normal structure and function, disorders and abnormalities, diagnostic procedures, and pharmacology associated with ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dermatology, gastroenterology, urology, male reproduction, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedic medicine, neurology & mental health, endocrinology and pulmonary medicine. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the methodology used to educate patients, and will demonstrate comprehension and competency in performing basic neurological assessment, blood/glucose testing, labeling the skin and understanding different type of burn treatments, diagnostic imaging, and performing spirometry testing. Students will demonstrate proper techniques to teach patients how to use ambulatory devices.

This course introduces basic medical laboratory techniques, diagnostic imaging tests, and cardiac diagnostic tests performed in the medical office. Laboratory terminology and the medical assistant’s responsibility in specimen collection and processing, including urine, blood, microbiology and immunology testing, and phlebotomy, are discussed. Safety, infection control, and OSHA guidelines are reinforced. Quality assurance, laboratory mathematics, and federal and state regulations regarding clinical laboratories are also addressed.

This course is designed to provide the students with an introduction to the health care system and the medical assisting profession. Students will be introduced to proper telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, patient reception, the office environment, written communications, and mail processing. Communication, defense mechanisms, and barriers to communication will be discussed. Communication during difficult times and multicultural communication College Catalog 2024-2025 Page 83 issues will be introduced. Professional behavior, medical law and ethics, and office management will be introduced and analyzed.

This course explores computers and their function in the medical office. The fundamentals of medical record management, fee determination, credit policies, billing methodology, and collection processes are reviewed. Financial management of the medical office and various medical insurance plans are also discussed. The principles and applications of coding are identified. Computerized medical billing software and its functions are taught. In addition, students will learn about privacy in the physician’s office (HIPAA), medical practice management, and human resources, as well as medical practice marketing and customer service. Students will also complete lessons using Computer in Medical Office Simulation Software (Medisoft).

This course will introduce the students to the common diseases that affect the body systems. A review of body systems along with the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatments of the diseases will be discussed. Students will learn about the medications used as treatments. An emphasis on drug action, classification, patient education, and common side effects of these medications will be provided.

Students learn terminology and skills related to medication and assisting with minor surgery. Pharmacology principles and math, elements of prescriptions, TB and allergy testing, phlebotomy, and surgical supplies and instruments are discussed, along with the medical assistant’s role in assisting with surgical procedures. Emergency preparedness concepts and the medical assistant’s role in medical emergencies are reinforced. Safety, infection control, and state and federal regulations regarding medications and surgical procedures are addressed.

This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to perform clinical diagnostic testing and treatments. Specimens collect techniques, assistive devices, TB testing, respiratory tests, and EKGs will be reviewed. Students will learn how to assist with specialty exams, including ophthalmic, audiometric, pediatric, prenatal, and neurological exams. The medical assistant’s role in treatments will also be discussed. An emphasis on working with special populations, providing patient education, and documenting will be provided.

This course provides a review of all skills acquired during prior Medical Assisting classes, including injections and phlebotomy. Through a comprehensive review, the student will prepare to sit for a national certification examination. Career development and employment seeking related topics will be discussed, including cover letters, resumes, applications, and professionalism during interviews, answering interview questions, appropriate follow-up after the interviews, and continuing education. Life skills and professional behavior will also be addressed.

This course allows the student to apply what they have learned in the program curriculum to practical use in a healthcare facility under the direct supervision of a preceptor on the site. Through the externship experience, the student gains first-hand knowledge of the workplace and performs the assigned duties to meet the expectations in a professional setting. Students are expected to adapt to the work environment and reflect regularly on their learning and observations. The externship work performed is not to be paid.

This course introduces students to the medical assistant’s role with minor surgical procedures, injections, phlebotomy, the analysis of blood, and the principles of IV therapy. Pharmacology, pharmacological math, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations are introduced and reviewed. This course also explores the important topics of aseptic technique, infection control, and proper procedure for hand washing. The medical assistant’s roles and responsibilities during medical emergencies are defined and explained. General rules for emergencies, common equipment used during emergencies, and common office emergencies are explored. The role and responsibilities of the medical assistant who assists in the clinical laboratory are defined. Clinical laboratory measurement and mathematics are introduced. Clinical laboratory equipment is identified and reviewed.

This course provides a comprehensive review of the administrative and clinical skills learned during prior Medical Assisting classes. The review prepares students to sit for the national Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination. Students are introduced to the teaching methodology and strategies used for holistic patient education. Nutrition and health promotion are reviewed and discussed.