Medical Assistant Diploma Courses

The first of a two-semester sequence especially designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields as well as any student desiring an in-depth undergraduate transfer course. The course focuses on the interdependent relationships between the structure and functions of body systems and the ways these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure the survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include levels of organization, the chemistry of life, support/movement, integration/control, and coordination. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

This course introduces the student to the healthcare system and provides an opportunity to explore a wide variety of health careers/professions. Students will explore ethical and legal responsibilities within the healthcare system including expectations for professional behavior. This course will allow for certification in common healthcare requirements.

This course presents the foundation necessary to develop a basic medical terminology vocabulary. Emphasis on the components of terms as related to each body system will be provided. The course further provides the student with the opportunity to properly spell, pronounce and utilize medical terms in relation to pathological conditions, tests, and procedures. Common medical abbreviations will also be discussed for each system.

This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.

This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement scores or equivalent.

The second of a two-semester sequence designed for students pursuing careers in allied health fields or wishing an in-depth undergraduate transfer course in the biological sciences. The course focuses on interdependent relationships between the structures and functions of body systems and the way these parts interact (homeostasis) to insure survival of the organism. Major topics addressed include systems associated with circulation, maintenance, elimination and continuity. Coordinated laboratory exercises focus on anatomical knowledge and physiological functions.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in BIO-168.

This course provides an introduction to the administrative skills needed for a medical office. Students will learn information management, how to organize and maintain medical records, manage appointments, and perform routine office administration duties. Focus is on the financial aspects of the medical office including essential financial management concepts and procedures, medical office bookkeeping, cash control, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing and collection procedures. The student will be prepared to work with commercial software, computerized medical records, billing, and patient scheduling. Communication skills are applied to deliver strong customer service. Ethical and legal rules concerning consents and the confidentiality of health information is presented with particular emphasis on the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act. Principles of legal liability, contracts, release of medical information, reporting, operation of the legal system and how it relates to the role of the office employee will be presented.

This course introduces the role of the medical assistant in performing diagnostic procedures, laboratory techniques, collecting, processing, and testing specimens. Students will demonstrate competency in the theory and practice of bloodborne pathogen standards, OSHA, safety in the laboratory, CLIA government regulations, quality assurance, microscope usage, urinalysis procedures, disinfection and sterilization procedures. Emphasis is on safety, infection prevention, proper patient identification, collecting, handling and labeling of specimens, processing, accessioning, and quality assurance. Point of Care Testing (POCT) for waived laboratory procedures, inventory control and management to efficiently maintain the laboratory are also studied.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in MAP-111 and MAP-342.

This course is designed to provide the basic clinical knowledge and skills necessary for the medical assistant to provide care, maintain safety and prevent infection. Maintaining asepsis, managing the clinical environment, basic patient interactions of varying ages, assisting with physical exams and testing will be included. Safe medication administration and knowledge, following all legal considerations, will be expected. This course focuses on diseases frequently diagnosed and treated in the medical office setting; and the associated anatomy and physiology. Diet and nutrition will be introduced with diseases, as applicable.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in MAP-111 and MAP-225.

Course will provide the student with the legal and ethical implications of practice in a medical setting. Issues covered will include scope of practice, confidentiality, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, legal terms and elements in the delivery of care, ethical guidelines of practice, and legal documentation requirements.

This course covers advanced medical administrative procedures using insurance and billing software to determine physician reimbursement through accurate claim submission. Topics including maintaining files, entering patient data, inputting insurance, posting transactions, and generating reports. Students will learn how to complete and submit electronic and paper insurance claim forms, perform referrals, and apply the correct procedure and diagnostic codes. This course is designed to teach students to correctly complete the universal Form CMS-1500 (Health Insurance Claim Form) and the coding rules for the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) , International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and HCPCS level II coding systems (products, supplies, and services not included in the CPT codes, such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a provider’s office), and then apply the rules to code patient services, medical billing and insurance claims. A variety of payment systems and other topics of Medicare fraud/abuse, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and patient-centered medical home (PCMH) and other legal acts are also reviewed. Compliance reporting will be addressed.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in MAP-111.

This course is an advanced laboratory introduction to medical diagnostic and laboratory techniques and offers skill development in a wide variety of low and moderately complex diagnostic procedures, microscopic and chemical analysis of blood. Students will develop skill in specimen collection on varying age groups and in using a variety of blood collection methods including; vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture, butterfly needles and blood culture. Topics covered will include hematology, body chemistry, microbiology, ABO/Rh test, immunology testing, and blood typing. Specimen collections with specialty examinations and diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms, pulmonary function and throat cultures will be included.

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C+ in MAP-111, MAP-225, and MAP-342.

This course will provide an understanding of best practices in a medical office setting including infection control, risk management, preparing the patient for and assisting with examinations and treatments, and the management of supplies and equipment. Students will prepare and administer medications via several routes including oral, parenteral (excluding intravenous), transdermal, and inhalation. Emphasis is placed on safe and accurate administration and maintaining federal and state healthcare legislation and regulations. Students will demonstrate therapeutic communication and deliver patient-centered health promotion teaching plans meeting the specific nutritional needs. This course will provide the skills, within the medical assistant scope of practice, to provide first aid and volunteer effectively to respond to a disaster.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in MAP-342, MAP-111, and MAP-225.

This course provides a basic background in the classification and understanding of drugs and their sources, uses and legal implications. This course will also provide discussion on the characteristics of typical drugs, side effects, precautions, interactions, and patient education of each category.

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C in MAP-111, MAP-225, MAP-342

Within this course, the student will begin the job-seeking process and identify job opportunities. Students will create a personalized resume and cover letter, and successfully participate in mock job interviews. This course will provide students a systematic comprehensive review to prepare for the CMA (AAMA) Certification exam. Students will complete the application for the CMA (AAMA) Certification exam.

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C+ in MAP-111, MAP-117, MAP-225, MAP-230, MAP-342, and MAP-343.

The practicum provides the students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to on the job experiences in a medical facility approved by the Practicum Coordinator. Primary objective is to provide students with a variety of experiences in the administrative, clinical and laboratory areas of an ambulatory care clinic. This opportunity allows the students to enhance communication skills by interacting with physicians, clinic staff and patients. Students are evaluated by the clinic supervisors and the practicum coordinator.

Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C+ in MAP-117, MAP-230, MAP-343, and PNN-207.