Introduction to the Medical Assisting profession. Includes job duties, scope of practice, medical law & ethics, and communication.

Introduction to the clinical role of the Medical Assistant. Includes basic and advanced skills which are utilized when assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Theory and skills include performing within the scope of practice, vital signs, documentation, preparing and assisting with medical examinations, OSHA regulations, electrocardiograms, sterile technique and first aid.

Continuation of Medical Assisting 70A. Basic and advanced clinical skills common to medical offices and clinics. Use of advanced clinical skills while assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Skills include venipuncture, capillary punctures, CLIA waived laboratory tests, assisting with specialty exams, pharmacology for systems, and pediatric exams and documentation.

Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory which include medical coding, health insurance, billing, collections, practice finances, confidentiality and development of life skills. This course also includes resume writing and job search techniques.

Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory to include the healthcare industry, the medical assisting profession, interpersonal skills and human behavior, law and ethics, computer concepts, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient reception and processing, office/clinic environment and daily operations, written communication and mail processing, medical record management.

To prepare the student medical assistant with knowledge of the Electronic Health Record. Charge capture and billing encounters, producing reports and follow up. Meaningful use 1 and 2

To prepare the student medical assistant with knowledge of the Electronic Health Record Managing the revenue cycle, and documenting patient encounters.

Application of principles and skills through participation in a simulated employment experience. Assisting the physician under close supervision in a health maintenance organization, or physician’s office or clinic. Practicum - approximately 36 hours a week until required hours are completed - will occur the last 6 weeks of the spring term.

Discussion and analysis of clinical experience in a clinic setting or private physician's office.

Introduction to pharmacology fundamentals. Medication administration including study of medications, drug research, drug therapy, immunizations and skin tests. Safe preparation, administration, and documentation of medication given by oral, sublingual, inhalation, topical, vaginal, rectal, transdermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal routes.

To prepare the student medical assistant, or any health care professional, to work within an electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software (PMS). This course will provide the knowledge and skills to understand and apply practical applications in the Electronic Health Record, managing the revenue cycle, and documenting patient encounters. As most of the healthcare industry uses electronic health records, this is a valuable course to become familiar with the data that is entered into the medical record and practice management software, how that data is entered and how the data is reviewed and processed throughout all departments of a medical practice.

This course will help prepare the medical assistant to take a national or state medical assistant certification examination. Focus will be on general, administrative, and clinical components as well as student study skills and exam techniques needed to prepare for and to take an exam.