Course Details

Introduction to Medical Assisting will introduce students to various members of the health care team and the medical assistant's role and responsibilities as part of that team in a clinical setting. Students will begin learning the foundations of medical terminology, legal and ethical issues, and ways to communicate with patients verbally and nonverbally.

Medical Terminology provides instruction on how to interpret and understand the technical language of medicine. Students will learn the basic structure of medical terms including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, special endings, plural forms, abbreviations, and symbols. Emphasis is placed on the correct spelling, definition, application, and pronunciation of each term.

Students will develop basic office and medical assistant responsibilities, including scheduling patients, telephone use and screening, identifying components of medical charts, correct documentation, and written, verbal, and electronic communication. Students will also study HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and its application to patient information.

This course introduces students to basic practices in a medical office. Students will learn procedures for medical billing, processing insurance claims, diagnostic and procedural coding, and banking procedures.

This course introduces students to the basics of anatomy and physiology. Students will learn how anatomy and physiology relate to the body structure as a whole—with in-depth studies of each body system—how those systems are interrelated, and what impact disease can have on the body.

Preparing for Clinical Procedures and Assisting with Exams explores the medical assistant’s role in assisting with examinations. Throughout this course, you will be introduced to the basic equipment and supplies needed for different types of examinations, as well as the safety procedures to follow to prevent the spread of infection. You will also examine how to interact with patients in a professional manner.

In this course students will conduct the steps necessary for performing tests in a medical office. This includes studying the different types of tests that can be performed in a physician’s office laboratory, the different supplies and procedures associated with each type of test, and steps for specimen collection. Students will also become proficient in venipuncture, capillary puncture, and IV insertion.

Cardiology, Radiology, and Minor Surgical Procedures examines how to prepare patients for various cardiology and radiology tests and the procedure for performing an EKG and Holter Monitor testing. Throughout your time in this course, you will study the processes used to set-up a sterile tray as well as select the appropriate instruments needed for surgical procedures, and will perform minor surgical procedures.

Students will learn the fundamentals of pharmacology rules and regulations, including different forms of medication, dosage calculations, and various methods for administering medication in all forms.

In this course, students will learn the role of the medical assistant in helping patients with rehabilitation techniques. Students will study methods for recognizing what patient body language is communicating and the appropriate response to use to help patients obtain their best recovery. Students will learn how to respond in an emergency situation, this includes studying triage, CPR, and First Aid. Additionally, after students have completed the CPR and First Aid portion of this course, a comprehensive review of clinical skills will be conducted. Students will also prepare for the practicum by studying the rules of conduct and professionalism in the workplace, updating resumes, preparing cover letters for future job applications, and meeting with the Practicum Coordinator.

The Medical Assistant Externship helps the student transition from a student role to a professional role by allowing you to demonstrate the administrative and clinical procedure knowledge, skills, and professional attributes learned in the program while working in a professional medical office. This experience takes place under the supervision of a Site Supervisor and includes all skill practice and evaluation.

The Medical Assistant Externship helps the student transition from a student role to a professional position by allowing them to demonstrate the administrative and clinical procedure knowledge, skills, and professional attributes learned in the program while working in a professional medical office. This experience takes place under the supervision of a Site Supervisor and includes skill practice and evaluation. The practicum coordinator/instructor periodically visits the office to evaluate your progress and performance.

Workplace Success is designed to help students develop essential work habits and attitudes as well as human-relation skills needed to maintain gainful and satisfying employment. Topics include common challenges faced in the workplace, such as presenting yourself professionally, developing a professional work ethic, developing interpersonal skills, navigating office politics successfully, and planning and managing your career.

The goal of the Medical Assistant program is to prepare competent, entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. To achieve this goal, students will be trained in all aspects of medical office practice including administrative tasks and back office clinical tasks. Upon successful completion of all required courses, students will participate in a non-paid externship in a medical clinic. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Medical Technologist’s Registration Exam.