Medical Assisting - Course Descriptions

Academic Life Skills - 15 hours

This course is designed to provide adult students the foundation needed for success in school while preparing for certification or licensure in the chosen healthcare field. Topics of instruction include time management, resource management, study techniques, test taking skills, communication, cultural diversity, ethics and professionalism.

Medical Terminology - 45 hours

Medical Terminology course is designed to develop in the students a working knowledge of the language of medicine. Students acquire word building skills by learning prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations. By relating terms to body systems, students identify proper uses of words in a medical environment. Knowledge of medical terminology enhances students’ ability to successfully secure employment or pursue advanced education in healthcare.

Clinical Procedures I - 150 hours

The student will receive an overview of the Medical Assistant career. An emphasis will be placed on professionalism, history of the profession, human relations, OSHA guidelines, medical asepsis, vital signs, routine medical office procedures, emergency procedures, law, ethics, communication and documentation.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major or focus

Clinical Procedures II - 150 hours

The student will show an understanding of skills like maintaining the examination area, performing clinical lab tests, twelve lead electrocardiograph (ECG), patient instruction and minor office surgery. Emphasizes the patient's physical examination and treatment procedures performed in a medical office setting.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major or focus

Pharmacology for Medical Assistants - 45 hours

The student will identify sources, schedules and classes of drugs. The student will identify and interpret actions of drugs commonly used in a physician's office, accurately calculate drug dosage and identify appropriate medication routes. The student will follow the written, verbal and standing physician orders and properly prepare and administer using aseptic technique as required.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major

Anatomy & Physiology - 75 hours

Anatomy/Physiology is the study of the structural complexity of the human body and its intricate functional mechanisms. This course is taught as laboratory science. Students will conduct scientific investigations and fieldwork using scientific knowledge and methodology that will enable them to make educated conclusions based on higher-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The areas studied will be an integration of biology and chemistry and will include but are not limited to organization of the body, chemical basis for life, cells & tissues, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, endocrine system, blood, circulatory system, lymphatic & immune systems, respiratory systems, digestive system & metabolism, urinary system, and reproductive system. An emphasis should be placed on real-world applications, and active-learning exercises should be included along with laboratory experiences.

Administrative Medical Office Procedures - 105 hours

Students will apply the basic concepts and principles of medical office practices and procedures with entry-level proficiency in the performance of duties in the administrative medical office including. Information necessary to understand medical insurance form preparation as it is used in a medical clinic office. Students will demonstrate an understanding of legal issues regarding insurance claims, procedural and diagnostic coding, delinquent claims, problem solving, managed care systems, proper form preparation and several major types of insurance forms.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major

Medical Informatics - 45 hours

The student will understand the automated medical office by using a computerized medical office package. Included in this software package are billing, charge slips, scheduling, insurance form preparation and patient data storage. The student will demonstrate familiarity with methods and techniques used in literary research for medical professionals. The student will be exposed to advanced Internet research. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major

Medical Assisting Simulation - 50 hours

This course is designed to build upon previous knowledge from the medical assistant course. The student will apply critical thinking skills for medical assistants to include the process of planning, managing, and delivering care to patients. During this course, the student will schedule, prepare and assist in the care of a group of virtual patients' health care needs.

An emphasis will be placed on communication skills in relation to patients and their families. The student will manage a simulated clinic including patient charts, inventories, billing, scheduling, insurance form preparation, coding, and other administrative and clinical duties. A variety of teaching methods, learning activities, computer research and practical simulations are utilized.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major or focus

Medical Office Laboratory Procedures - 60 hours

This course is designed to introduce, prepare, and ensure student competency in clinical lab skills required at an entry level position for a medical assistant. Students learn aseptic techniques, minor office procedures, basic diagnostic testing techniques, phlebotomy, patient assessment techniques and applications, along with various other techniques involving assisting a physician within the parameters of a medical office.

Medical Assisting Externship - 160 hours

This course is designed to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in previous medical assistant courses to the clinical site. Externship assignments are scheduled to provide students with adjunct faculty and supervised experience in performing the skills and competencies of a medical assistant in a physician's office. Students will accept accountability and responsibility for their own behavior while in the learning environment and will practice within the clinical and legal framework of the profession of medical assistant.

Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Medical Assistant major.