Medical Assistant Technology

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. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

A description of anatomical descriptors and the cell introduces the student to and serves as an overview of the body's systems. The structure and function of the nervous, sensory, integumentary, muscular, skeletal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems are taught with the diseases related to these systems presented. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic working knowledge of these body systems.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

The structure and function of the digestive, urinary, reproduction, endocrine, and immune systems are presented. Disease processes that are related to these systems will be included. Basic concepts of reproduction, growth and development, and nutrition are taught. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic working knowledge of these body systems.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

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.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course introduces medical office administrative procedures. Topics include appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, managing the physician's schedule, handling mail, preparing and maintaining medical records, and patient orientation. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic medical administrative skills.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (2 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course introduces medical office administrative procedures not covered in Medical Administrative Procedures I. Topics include fees, credit, and collections, banking, bookkeeping, payroll, and computerized finance applications.  Upon completion students should be able to manage financial aspects of medical offices.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (2 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course provides instruction in basic lab techniques used by the medical assistant. Topics include lab safety, quality control, collecting and processing specimens, performing selective diagnostic tests, such as a CBC, screening and follow-up of test results and OSHA/CLIA regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic lab tests/skills based on course topics.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

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.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

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.  

Credit Hours: 2 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

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.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course instructs the student in the fundamental theory and lab application for the medical office. Microbiology, urinalysis, serology, blood chemistry, and venipuncture theory as well as venipuncture collection procedures are discussed and performed. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic lab tests/skills on course topics.  

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course teaches the commonly administered drugs used in the medical field including their classifications, actions, indications, contraindications, and side effects on the body. Correct demonstration of drug calculation, preparation, administration, and documentation are also taught. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate safe drug administration and recognize common medical classifications and their patient implications.  

Credit Hours: 4 

Lecture: 3 

Lab: 1 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

In this course emphasis is placed on insurance procedures with advanced diagnostic and procedural coding in the outpatient facility. Study will include correct completion of insurance forms and coding. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in coding for reimbursements. 

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 2 

Lab: 1 (2 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

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.  

Credit Hours: 1 

Lecture: 1 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 0 

This course is a medical assisting capstone course. The student is expected to apply administrative, clinical, and laboratory knowledge while under the supervision of a designated preceptor. The student performs administrative, clinical, and laboratory skills while displaying positive affective behaviors expected of a medical assistant in the medical setting. The total number of contact hours must be a minimum of 160 hours in length. The content of the course is aligned with standards and guidelines from the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) in collaboration with CAAHEP. 

Credit Hours: 2 

Lecture: 0 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 2 (5 contact hours:1 credit hour) 

This course is designed to provide the opportunity to apply phlebotomy techniques in the physician's clinic and hospital setting. Emphasis is placed on training individuals to properly collect and handle blood specimens for laboratory testing and to interact with health care personnel, patients, and the general public. Upon completion, students should be prepared for entry-level phlebotomy and to sit for the Phlebotomy Technician Examination.

Credit Hours: 3 

Lecture: 0 

Lab: 0 

Clinical/Practicum: 3 (3 contact hours:1 credit hour)