Medical Assisting

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• EVALUATE THE VARIETY OF CAREER POSSIBILITIES OPEN TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS (SLO #1)
• differentiate between the duties of an administrative and clinical medical assistant.
• research the typical career paths of administrative and clinical medical assistants.
• APPRAISE THE EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS (SLO #2)
• evaluate the desired personal qualifications of a medical assistant.
• analyze the AAMA educational standards and guidelines for medical assistant education
• compare and contrast the available formats of medical assisting education.
• choose appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors in a medical environment.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• APPLY MEDICAL LANGUAGE IN THE CLINICAL SETTING (SLO #1)
• Demonstrate correct spelling, pronunciation and usage of medical terms and abbreviations in communicating with patients and other health care workers.
• Interpret and abstract information from patient medical records and other clinical documents.
• IDENTIFY BASIC ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES (SLO #2)
• Locate correct anatomical landmarks as utilized in various medical procedures.
• Relate patient symptoms to specific body systems and/or structures involved.
• RECOGNIZE AND ADHERE TO THE LEGAL SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND ETHICAL STANDARDS OF A MEDICAL ASSISTANT (SLO #3)
• Distinguish between allowed and non-allowed duties of a Medical Assistant in California.
• Interpret written orders to determine legality of performing requested activity.
• Appraise clinical situations to determine appropriate ethical response.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• PREPARE ACCURATE CLAIM FORMS FOR THE MOST COMMON INSURANCE COMPANIES (SLO #1)
• Distinguish between a clean, pending, rejected, incomplete and invalid claim.
• Categorize the six levels of review and appeals in the Medicare program, and the three levels of review in the TRICARE program.
• Analyze a patient's medical record in order to accurately abstract data necessary for completing various health and disability claim forms.
• Examine the process of a physician-based insurance claim starting from obtaining patient information through payment receipt.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• PERFORM THE DUTIES OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANT (SLO #1)
• Demonstrate the correct method and/or technique when performing administrative skills such as answering phones, filing, scheduling, composing written correspondence, coding and performing various practice financial procedures.
• ASSESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THEORY AS IT RELATES TO THE PERFORMED SKILL (SLO #2)
• Distinguish among various guidelines for processing incoming and/or outgoing mail and patient information.
• Determine the best method for transmitting health information by applying HIPAA regulations.
• Discuss the importance of complete and accurate records management in a medical facility.
• Identify mandatory reporting documentation within a medical office

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• PERFORM THE DUTIES OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL MEDICAL ASSISTANT IN AN AMBULATORY SETTING WITH MINIMAL SUPERVISION - SLO #1
• Demonstrate the correct method and/or technique when performing clinical skills such as injections, EKGs, spirometry, vitals, instrument identification, care and usage, and other skills as outlined in the MA scope of practice.
• Demonstrate the correct method and/or technique when performing administrative skills such as answering phones, filing, scheduling, insurance verification, billing and coding.
• COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH PATIENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS - SLO #2
• Evaluate and respect a patients individual need based on various factors including age, socioeconomic status, culture, and medical history
• EXHIBIT PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS SUCH AS BEHAVIOR, ADAPTABILITY, INITIATIVE AND QUALITY OF WORK - SLO #3

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• ACHIEVE A CONSISTENT PASSING SCORE ON PRACTICE CERTIFICATION EXAMS (SLO #1)
• Identify and discuss primary elements of Administrative Medical Assisting duties.
• Identify and discuss primary elements of Clinical Medical Assisting duties.
• Identify and discuss primary elements of other aspects of Medical Assisting such as communication, the disease process, medicolegal and bioethical issues, and professionalism.
• EMPLOY SUCCESSFUL TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES (SLO #2)
• Identify and discuss techniques for preparing for an examination.
• Analyze exam question wording to determine the best response
• ASSESS THE ROLE OF THE MEDICAL ASSISTING PRECEPTOR IN THE CLINICAL SETTING (SLO #3)
• Identify the California state requirements for participating as an MA Preceptor
• Relate the responsibilities involved when performing the function of an MA Preceptor

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• PERFORM BASIC CLINICAL PROCEDURES (SLO #1)
• collect accurate vital signs on a patient including temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure on adults and children. Measure accurate height and weight on adults. Measure accurate height, weight and head circumference on infants
• evaluate various instruments used in the clinical setting according to their classification and usage. Correctly assemble minor surgical trays. prepare instruments/equipment for autoclave sterilization and be able to differentiate when to use chemical vs. steam sterilization
• prepare patient for and perform audiometry, spirometry, ear irrigation, oxygen and aerosol treatments, including proper documentation
• evaluate basic nutritional needs and recognize the need for a therapeutic diet given specific diagnostic information
• PERFORM ADVANCED CLINICAL PROCEDURES (SLO #2)
• prepare necessary supplies for bandaging, splinting or dressing various injuries and/or wounds. This includes preparing the patient for the procedure and the removal of sutures
• perform electrocardiography using the single and multi-channel ECG equipment
• instruct patients on the preparation for diagnostic radiology
• collect specimens for diagnostic evaluation per CLIA regulations including urinalysis, hemoccult, step culture, HCG testing and finger punctures for hematocrits
• select the appropriate syringe, needle and injection site for intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal injections.
• UTILIZE UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY PRACTICES IN A CLINICAL SETTING (SLO #3)
• distinguish when Universal Precautions will be required and correctly utilize personal protective equipment
• adhere to the principles of infection control including aseptic technique
• DISPLAY CRITICAL THINKING AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS AS THEY RELATE TO OBTAINING PATIENT INFORMATION OR IMPARTING PATIENT EDUCATION (SLO #4)
• perform patient interviewing techniques in order to gather clinical information necessary for treatment
• research and organize gathered information to be used for patient education purposes, including community resources and general health topics
• obtain patient clinical history and document information in both paper and electronic format

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1: Actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 4).
• Discuss and outline a proposal of study (that can be accomplished within one semester term) with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
• Design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
• Use information resources to gather discipline-specific information.
• SLO #2: Utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 3).
• Analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
• Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
• SLO #3: Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study (College Wide Outcome – Area 3).
• Demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
• SLO #4: Identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively (College Wide Outcome – Area 4).
• Utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.