Medical Assistant

This course covers basic keyboarding skills using medical mustard and format. Emphasis is placed on correct techniques and development of speed and accuracy. Upon completion, the student should be able to key medical material at an acceptable speed and accuracy level.

This course is designed for medical assistants, student nurses, and others in medically related fields. The course will focus on the more common prefixes, roots, and suffixes used to construct medical terms with these word parts to determine the meanings of new or unfamiliar terms. The student will learn a system of word building which will enable them to interpret medical terms

This course includes instruction in clinical examining room procedures. Topics include asepsis, infection control, assisting with examination, and patient education. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate competence in exam room procedures.

This course introduces practices expected of the medical assistant in a healthcare business setting. Topics include, but are not limited to, inputting patient data, utilizing practice management software to include scheduling, routine maintenance of administrative and/or clinical equipment, and sensitivity when managing client needs. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic medical business skills.

This course introduces medical business practices not covered in Medical Business Practices I. Topics include, but are not limited to, fiscal management practices (to include paper and/or electronic bookkeeping, banking, and payroll procedures). This course also includes concepts of insurance and third-party reimbursement and eligibility requirements for filing insurance claims. Concepts of outpatient procedural and diagnostic coding will be included in this course of study. Upon completion, students should be able to manage the medical business and insurance procedures at an intermediate level.

This course introduces clinical procedures used by the medical assistant for medical office and ambulatory settings. Topics include, but are not limited to, obtaining specimens and performing CLIA waived laboratory tests. Limited theory of pertinent microbiology to include gram-positive/gram-negative theory, hematology, and phlebotomy practices for the medical business practice are discussed. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic lab procedures and patient instructions on specimen collection on course topics.

This course provides basic information related to the legal relationship of patient and physician. Topics to be covered include creation and termination of contracts, implied and informed consent, professional liability, invasion of privacy, malpractice, tort, liability, breach of contract, and the Medical Practice Act. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize ethical and legal implications of these topics as they relate to the medical assistant.

This course is designed to instruct students in handling emergencies in the medical office. Emergencies presented will include cardiovascular emergencies, diabetic emergencies, seizures, syncope, hyperthermia and hypothermia, shock, musculoskeletal emergencies, and poisoning. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize emergency situations and take appropriate actions.

This course includes instruction in vital signs and special examination procedures. Emphasis is placed on interviewing skills, appropriate triage and preparing patients for diagnostic procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to assist with special procedures.

This course familiarizes the student with frequently administered and commonly prescribed drugs used in the medical office. Theory includes components of the drug profile to include calculation, preparation, and administration of the medication. Additional topics include special populations and nutritional requirements, documentation, and basic concepts of prescribing practices to include e-scribing. Upon completion, students should be able to prove competency in safe medication administration and calculations.  

This course will provide the student with an overview of radiography and its role in the health care delivery. Topics will include patient and medical assistant safety and protection. The student should be able to perform and process basic radiographs of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, sinus and extremities.

This course introduces dictating equipment and typical medical dictation. Emphasis is placed on correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Upon completion, students should be able to transcribe physician's dictation.

This course includes a general review of administrative and clinical functions performed in a medical office. The course will assist the student or graduate in preparing for national credentialing examination.

This course is designed to provide the opportunity to apply clinical, laboratory, and administrative skills in a physician's office, clinic or outpatient facility. The student will gain experience in applying knowledge learned in the classroom in enhancing competence, in strengthening professional communications and interactions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform as an entry-level Medical Assistant.  Content of this course is aligned with standards and guidelines from the American Association of Medical Assisting.