Medical Assistant Program and Courses
Course Objective
To prepare individuals for entry level positions as a Medical Assistant. Training will prepare students to perform both front and back office procedures, enabling them to provide clinical and clerical support to the health care team.
Program Description
- The Medical Assistant Program provides 420 hours of Theory and 438 hours of laboratory training, followed by 160 hours of facility supervised externship.
- Lecture/Laboratory:
- Classes: Monday-Thursday
- Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 6:00PM to 10:00PM
- Length:
- 8 months classroom plus 160 hours (4 – 6 weeks) of clinical externship – Days (or)
- 13.5 months classroom plus 160 hours (4 – 6 weeks) of clinical externship - Nights
Curriculum Outline
Module 1:
MA 001 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Introduces students to the medical assisting profession. Lecture includes the history of medical assisting as a profession, professional organizations, certification exams, the personal qualifications, the role and responsibilities of the medical assistant, and career opportunities. The importance of using basic learning skills, communication techniques and effective coping skills are stressed
MA 002 MEDICAL ETHICS AND LEGAL ISSUES FOT THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
An overview of the ethical and legal responsibilities of the medical assistant is presented. Lecture will include duty to patients (confidentiality and patient consent), professional liability, the Good Samaritan Act, controlled substances, the patient’s “Bill of Rights”, and the medical assistant’s Code of Ethics as stated by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Module 2:
MA 010 COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Lecture will focus on basic principles of the English language, both verbal and written communication, including business correspondence and telephone skills. Instructions will be on proper techniques for construction of business letters and medical, consultation and operative reports as well as telephone greetings, phone call management, patient reception will, non-verbal communication, and cultural impact on communication.
MA 011 KEYBOARD TECHNIQUES FOR COMPUTER
This section will provide students with typing and computer skills, with continued emphasis on business correspondence and reports. Word Perfect, Word, and medical software usage will be introduced. Practice sessions will develop accuracy skills.
Module 3:
MA 006 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Provides a foundation for understanding medical terminology as it relates to the medical assistant. Introduction will encompass word roots, prefixes and suffixes, and combining forms along with current procedural terminology.
MA 012 HEALTH INSURANCE BILLING AND CODING
Students will study types of health insurance plans and sources of insurance (including Medicaid and Medicare) available to patients. Lecture includes filing, monitoring and processing insurance claims, the use of computerized claim management and CPT, ICD-9 and HCPCS coding systems.
Module 4:
MA 008 PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Introduction to the principles of pharmacology and drug administration. Basic math skills, English to metric conversions, and military (24 hour time) will be taught. Emphasis on correct measurement with regards to time, volume, temperature, weight, ratio and proportion. Lecture will encompass drug names (brand, generic and chemical) and classifications, use of PDR, pharmaceutical preparations, drug storage and handling, and controlled substances. Instruction on the role of the medical assistant in administering and dispensing drugs, along with routes and methods of drug administration, including topical, oral, rectal, sublingual and injection. Proper documentation and factors influencing dosage and drug action.
Module 5:
CC 004 HIV/AIDS CORE TRAINING
(Required or proof of core training) This course delivers a detailed, technical outlook of the transmission, prevention and clinical management of HIV/AIDS, including infection control, confidentiality, and current Florida laws and testing.
MA 003 SAFETY PROCEDURES AND UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Learn Standard Precautions, infection control, and medical asepsis. Focuses on facility and equipment safety, and MSDS and OSHA requirements. Patient positioning and use of proper body mechanics will be practiced.
MA 013 BASIC PATIENT CARE PROCEDURES FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Instruction is of the fundamentals of patient care, vital signs, height and weight measurement, patient health history, patient preparation, assisting the physician with general and specialty exams such as gynecological, pelvic/pap smear, neurological, hearing, eye, obstetric and pediatric.
MA 015 CLINICAL AND LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
This will focus on the proper performance of various clinical and laboratory skills, including collection and handling of specimens, urinalysis, hematology/blood chemistry, also minor surgical procedures, wound care, and instillations and irrigations of eyes and ears. Techniques. Use of assistive devices, hot and cold therapies are in this section.
Module 6:
MA 009 ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS PROCEDURES FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
This will familiarize the student with the basic administrative duties of the medical assistant. Focus will be on scheduling systems, records management, billing systems, fundamentals of banking and bookkeeping, personnel management and management of facilities and equipment. Emphasis will be placed on the role of computers in the medical office.
Module 7:
CC 005 CPR AND FIRST AID FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
(Required if not currently certified) All students will complete the American Saftey and Health Institute approved CPR course for healthcare providers and demonstrate the correct procedures for performing CPR, rescue breathing, and choking maneuvers on adults, infants and children. This will provide the student with an ASHI certificate.
MA 007 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY / MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
A study of the human anatomy, structural organization, including human developmental stages. Instruction will cover all major systems, including circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive, digestive and urinary systems. It will include common problems and disease processes associated with each system and personal wellness.
Module 8:
MA 014 BASIC OFFICE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
Instruction covers the performance of diagnostic procedures common to the physician’s office, including blood collection (capillary and venipuncture), electrocardiograph, diagnostic allergy, and intradermal skin tests.
MA 016 EMPLOYMENT SKILLS / EXTERNSHIP ORIENTATION
Lecture will address job search and interview techniques, along with employee work habits and expectations. Students will prepare a sample resume, cover letter, and follow-up correspondence. Externship responsibilities will also be explained and discussed.
Module 9:
MA 017 CLINICAL EXTERNSHIP
Students will be assigned to a health care facility, under facility/staff supervision. Students and school staff will explore and choose together the appropriate environment for training on an individual basis.
