Medical Assisting Program

Program Length:  720 Hours (Residential)

Program Objectives:

Upon completion of the Medical Assisting Program, the student will be able to:

• Prepare students for jobs in the medical assisting profession
• Develop a student’s ability to perform various clinical duties
• Develop a student’s ability to perform various administrative duties
• Prepare students to take a variety of credentialing examinations related to medical assisting

Program Description:

This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as a Medical Assistant in either clinical and/or administrative capacity. The course focuses on providing knowledge and understanding of basic human anatomy and common pathology. Students learn the use of Medical Terminology as it relates to the clinic environment.

The instruction provides student with the skills for routine diagnostic laboratory procedures, understanding of the administration of medication, entry-level skill proficiency require for assisting in routine patient examination and surgical procedures. In addition, students will gain knowledge of the legal as well as ethical responsibilities outlined in the Scope of Practice. Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and technical skills to obtain entry-level employment in HMOs, medical clinics, chiropractic offices, and rehabilitation centers.

At present, no state has instituted gen¬eral licensure for Medical Assistants. Medical Assistants are not required by law to be licensed or certified though certification is widely preferred by employers. Certification is optional.

Course Content:

• Term 1
  • Medical Terminology (40 Hours)
  • Anatomy and Physiology (60 Hours)
  • Introduction to Medical Assisting (40 Hours)

• Term 2
  • Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting (30 Hours)
  • Assisting With Medications (60 Hours)
  • Assisting With Medical Specialties (60 Hours)

• Term 3
  • Diagnostic & Laboratory Procedures (40 Hours)
  • Assisting in Phlebotomy/Analysis of Blood/Microbiology (40 Hours)
  • Assisting With Surgeries (30 Hours)

• Term 4
  • Administrative Medical Assisting (60 Hours)
  • Financial Management (30 Hours)
  • Medical Practice and Health Promotion Management (30 Hours)

• Term 5
  • Career Development & Certification (20 Hours)
  • Externship (180 Hours)

Course Outline:

Course Descriptions:

Medical Terminology

This course is a study and practical application of a medical vocabulary system. It includes structure, recognition, analysis, definition, spelling, pronunciation, and combination of medical terms from prefixes, suffixes, roots, and combining forms.
Theory: 40 Hours
Prerequisite: None

Anatomy and Physiology

This course of normal structure and function of the body covers various body systems, its parts, and its relationships to one another in order to maintain a state of balance in one’s health. Areas of study incorporate common terms, structure of body processes from the unit structure of the cell to the complexity body parts of different systems, in relation to normal functioning and health maintenance.
Theory: 40 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisite: Medical Terminology

Introduction to Medical Assisting

This course provides an overview of the medical assisting profession. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, interpersonal skills and human behavior, communication, medical, and medical law and ethics.
Theory: 40 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology

Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting

This course includes theory and practice in preparation for physical examination, vital signs, patient assessment and education, nutrition and health promotion, and infection control.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 10 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting

Assisting With Medications

This course includes instruction in concepts and applications of pharmacological principles. The focus is on drug classification, principles and procedures of medication administration, mathematical systems and conversions, dosage calculation problems, and medico-legal responsibilities of the medical assistant. The laboratory section will include the demonstration and techniques of administration of medications in the medical office setting.
Theory: 40 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting

Assisting With Medical Specialties

This course will instruct the medical assisting student in the skills in assisting physicians with medical specialties. Diseases, medical conditions and illnesses treated in the medical office by the various medical specialties will be studied.
Theory: 40 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting, Assisting with Medications

Diagnostic & Laboratory Procedures

This course is designed to provide medical assistant students with the basic clinical laboratory principles and skills used in a physician’s office. Topics to include are principles of electrocardiography, diagnostic imaging, clinical laboratory, and analysis of urine.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting, Assisting with Medications, Assisting with Medical Specialties

Assisting in Phlebotomy, Blood Analysis & Microbiology

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the procedures utilized to collect and process specimens in a physician’s office setting. Emphasis is placed on methods of collections, processing of specimens and quality control. Additionally, the student is introduced to the microscope, the techniques of capillary puncture and venipuncture, blood typing, and basic microbiology procedures.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting, Assisting with Medications, Assisting with Medical Specialties, Diagnostic & Laboratory Procedures

Assisting With Surgeries

This course provides the Medical Assistant’s role when basic surgical procedures are performed in the office including use of surgical supplies and instruments and proper surgical asepsis.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 10 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Assisting with Medications, Diagnostic & Laboratory Procedures, Assisting with Phlebotomy, Blood Analysis & Microbiology

Administrative Medical Assisting

This course will instruct the student to the administrative skills expected of the entry-level medical assistant through theoretical presentations. Topics to be covered and demonstrated to competency-level are: computer concepts in the medical office, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient reception and processing, written communications and mail processing and medical records management.
Theory: 40 Hours
Skills: 20 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology. Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting

Financial Management

This course introduces the student to aspects of the medical office financial management. Topics include professional fees, billing and collecting, basics of diagnostic coding and procedural coding, the health insurance claim form, third-party reimbursement, and banking services and procedures.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 10 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology. Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting

Medical Practice and Health Promotion Management

This course is designed to give the student a detailed understanding of the various issues facing medical assistants during the practice of profession. It will include medical practice management and marketing, customer services, health information management, and management practice finances.
Theory: 20 Hours
Skills: 10 Hours
Prerequisites: Medical Terminology. Anatomy & Physiology, Intro to Medical Assisting, Financial Management

Career Development & Certification

This course prepares the students for job placement. It includes job search methods, resume writing, and interview techniques. Intensive review for medical assistant certification exam will also be provided in this course.
Theory: 20 Hours

Externship (180 Hours)

Upon successful completion of classroom instruction, students will be scheduled to attend and perform clinical externship at a doctor’s office or medical clinic. Student must successfully complete the externship portion of the program to be eligible for graduation. During the externship, students will assist a Medical Assistant or Physician who is a regular employee of the externship facility. Students will perform various front and back office skills while under the direct supervision of an externship facility employee.
Clinical/Administrative Hours: 180
Prerequisites: Terms 1-4 Courses

Admission Requirements and Procedures :

Pre-admission Requirements:

• Age 17 years or older
• Submit completed admission application packet with School Performance Fact Sheet
• Copy of high school diploma or GED from an accredited school. If foreign graduate, credentials must be evaluated to prove US Education equivalency
• Speak, read, and comprehend the English language. Communicate effectively during the interview process
• Pass the Preadmission Test with a score of 76% or higher
• Interview
• Obtain background check clearance
• Picture for student ID badge
• Proof of legal residence
• Social Security Number
• Complete Credit Granting Form if applying for transfer of credits from other institutions. Submit official transcript of records from schools attended. Provide a copy of US education equivalency if applicable
• Complete financial application
• Complete Enrollment Agreement

Pre-clinical Requirements

• Physical Exam
• Annual PPD
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Card (BLS/CPR)
• Fire Safety Card
• NSO Insurance