Medical Assisting

Course Requirements

First Year - Fall Semester

• ACA 115 Success & Study Skills

  This course provides an orientation to the campus resources and academic skills necessary to achieve educational objectives. Emphasis is placed on an exploration of facilities and services, study skills, library skills, self-assessment, wellness, goal-setting, and critical thinking. Upon completion, students should be able to manage their learning experiences to successfully meet educational goals.

• BIO 163 Basic Anatomy & Physiology

  This course provides a basic study of the structure and function of the human body. Topics include a basic study of the body systems as well as an introduction to homeostasis, cells, tissues, nutrition, acid-base balance, and electrolytes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology and their interrelationships.

• MED 110 Orientation to Medical Assisting

  This course covers the history of medicine and the role of the medical assistant in the health care setting. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication, attitude, behaviors, and duties in the medical environment. Upon completion, students should be able to project a positive attitude and promote the profession of medical assisting.

• MED 118 Medical Law and Ethics

  This course covers legal relationships of physicians and patients, contractual agreements, professional liability, malpractice, medical practice acts, informed consent, and bioethical issues. Emphasis is placed on legal terms, professional attitudes, and the principles and basic concepts of ethics and laws involved in providing medical services. Upon completion, students should be able to meet the legal and ethical responsibilities of a multi-skilled health professional.

• MED 121 Medical Terminology I

  This course introduces prefixes, suffixes, and word roots used in the language of medicine. Topics include medical vocabulary and the terms that relate to the anatomy, physiology, pathological conditions, and treatment of selected systems. Upon completion, students should be able to pronounce, spell, and define medical terms as related to selected body systems and their pathological disorders.

• MED 130 Administrative Office Procedures I

  This course introduces medical office administrative procedures. Topics include appointment processing, written and oral communications, medical records, patient orientation, and safety. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic administrative skills within the medical environment.

• MED 140 Examining Room Procedures I

  This course provides instruction in clinical examining room procedures. Topics include asepsis, infection control, assisting with exams and treatment, patient education, preparation and administration of medications, EKG, vital signs, and medical emergencies. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in exam room procedures.

First Year - Spring Semester

• ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry

  This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.

• MED 122 Medical Terminology II

  This course is the second in a series of medical terminology courses. Topics include medical vocabulary and the terms that relate to the anatomy, physiology, pathological conditions, and treatment of selected systems. Upon completion, students should be able to pronounce, spell, and define medical terms as related to selected body systems and their pathological disorders.

• MED 131 Administrative Office Procedures II

  This course provides medical office procedures in both economic and management skills. Topics include physical plant maintenance, equipment and supplies, liability coverage, medical economics, and introductory insurance procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to manage the economics of the medical office and supervise personnel.

• MED 150 Laboratory Procedures I

  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 tests, phlebotomy, 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.

• MED 240 Examining Room Procedures II

  This course is designed to expand and build upon skills presented in MED 140. Emphasis is placed on advanced exam room procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate enhanced competence in selected exam room procedures.

Second Year - Fall Semester

• ENG 112 Writing and Research in the Disciplines

  This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and writing strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing information and ideas and incorporating research findings into documented writing and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using documentation appropriate to various disciplines.

• HUM 115 Critical Thinking

  This course introduces the use of critical thinking skills in the context of human conflict. Emphasis is placed on evaluating information, problem solving, approaching cross-cultural perspectives, and resolving controversies and dilemmas. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate orally and in writing the use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of appropriate texts.

• MAT 110 Mathematical Measurement and Literacy

  This course provides an activity-based approach that develops measurement skills and mathematical literacy using technology to solve problems for non-math intensive programs. Topics include unit conversions and estimation within a variety of measurement systems; ratio and proportion; basic geometric concepts; financial literacy; and statistics including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and charting of data. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems, and to analyze and communicate results.

• MED 230 Administrative Office Procedures III

  This course provides advanced medical office administrative procedures. Emphasis is placed on management skills including personnel supervision, practice management, public relations, and insurance coding. Upon completion, students should be able to exhibit advanced managerial medical assisting skills.

• MED 232 Medical Insurance Coding

  This course is designed to develop coding skills. Emphasis is placed on advanced diagnostic and procedural coding in the outpatient facility. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in coding for reimbursement.

• PSY 150 General Psychology

  This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.

Second Year - Spring Semester

• BUS 121 Business Math

  This course covers fundamental mathematical operations and their application to business problems. Topics include payroll, pricing, interest and discount, commission, taxes, and other pertinent uses of mathematics in the field of business. Upon completion, students should be able to apply mathematical concepts to business.

• MED 260 MED Clinical Practicum

  This course provides the opportunity to apply clinical, laboratory, and administrative skills in a medical facility. Emphasis is placed on enhancing competence in clinical and administrative skills necessary for comprehensive patient care and strengthening professional communications and interactions. Upon completion, students should be able to function as an entry-level health care professional.

• MED 262 Clinical Perspectives

  This course is designed to explore personal and occupational responsibilities of the practicing medical assistant. Emphasis is placed on problems encountered during externships and development of problem-solving skills. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate courteous and diplomatic behavior when solving problems in the medical facility.

• MED 264 Medical Assisting Overview

  This course provides an overview of the complete medical assisting curriculum. Emphasis is placed on all facets of medical assisting pertinent to administrative, laboratory, and clinical procedures performed in the medical environment. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in the areas covered on the national certification examination for medical assistants.

• MED 270 Symptomatology

  This course covers the study of disease symptoms and the appropriate actions taken by medical assistants in a medical facility in relation to these symptoms. Emphasis is placed on interviewing skills and appropriate triage, preparing patients for procedures, and screening test results. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize how certain symptoms relate to specific diseases, recognize emergency situations, and take appropriate actions.