Medical Assistant Program
Curriculum Course Descriptions
MA COURSE DESCRIPTIONSMA 101 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology I
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology. Study of the anatomy and physiology of the body will begin at the microscopic level, examining the building blocks and function of the blood. The structural organization of the body, including cavities, organs, clinical divisions of the abdomen and back, and positions, directions and planes of the body will be mastered.
The normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the digestive system and additional suffixes of digestive terminology.
MA 102 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques I
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of medical office safety plans and OSHA protection, bloodborne pathogen standards and universal precautions, breaking the cycle of infection, CDC reporting requirements, basic practices of infection prevention and asepsis, preparing the patient for examination, the medical assistant role in performance of a physical examination and procedures, and assisting with office procedures
MA 103 Coding I
Students will be introduced to diagnostic and procedural coding for outpatient and/or office visits and treatment using ICD-10-CM, CPT-4, and HCPCS codes. This course will concentrate on hands-on activities designed to develop accurate coding skills and assignment of proper codes. At the completion of this course students will have gained experience in assigning ICD-10-CM codes to identify diagnoses, including coding injuries and late effects, supplemental external causes of injury (E-codes), supplementary V-codes and neoplasms; codes for reporting acute and chronic conditions, outpatient surgery and reporting of preoperative evaluation.
MA 104 Communications and Professional Skills
Students will gain skills and knowledge necessary to deliver quality customer service in a healthcare environment. Emphasis will be placed on creating positive relationships with patients, visitors, and coworkers through-the-use of effective verbal and non-verbal communication. Students will gain experience in active listening, reflecting, summarizing, concentrating, and responding appropriately in face-to-face as well as telephone conversations. The impact of appearance, posture, tone of voice, body language, facial expressions, eye contact and professionalism on positive communications will also be discussed and practiced. Students will learn to explain why information is needed, get facts in logical order, reword or paraphrase confusing questions, and be prepared to explain policies of a facility. Skills for dealing with conflict resolution and difficult behaviors will be covered. The course will include discussion about the impact of cultural diversity in the workplace as well as tips for time and stress management. Students will apply communications skills learned to professional development, including interviewing techniques, job search strategies, and job survival skills.
MA 105 Computers
Students are introduced to concepts of computer operations and general navigation through Windows using a network PC. The initial focus of the course will introduce students to proper keyboarding style and technique. Students will gain mastery of the entire keyboard with emphasis on speed and accuracy on the alpha/numeric keyboard and numeric keypad.
During the MS Word component, students will be able to create, edit, save, and print basic documents; correctly format documents with margins, tabs, alignment, and spacing; and retrieve documents. Students will use acquired skills to produce employment documents, including a cover letter, resume and an interview thank you letter.
Students will gain experience in the preparation of basic financial reports. The course focuses on basic proficiency using MS Excel. During MS Excel, students will learn to enter text and data into a spreadsheet, to use formulas and functions, and to format a spreadsheet to be more attractive and easier to read. Students will gain experience in the preparation of basic financial reports.
MA 106 Electronic Health Records
The focus of this course is the understanding of the evolution of the health record and foundational knowledge of use of electronic health records in an office. It will include standard EHR coding systems, document imaging, codifying records, and the hardware, software, and networking requirements for an EHR system. Types of data, standards and documentation will be discussed.
Features of MS Office used in physician offices, clinicals, hospitals and other patient care areas will be learned during this course, such as the calendar, email signatures and folders. Allscripts software will be utilized for registration of new patients and updating existing patients, to enter patient demographics, vital signs, review of systems, physical examination, labs and procedures, immunizations, and injectable medications, viewing and updating patient information, scheduling appointments and activities, and performing financial and insurance functions.
Students will learn how to use and gain practice in use of the SimChart EHR to record patient care information and activities in a physician’s office.
MA 107 Fundamentals of Medical Assisting I
This course will familiarize students with the responsibilities of medical assistants and their role in providing patient care. Students will acquire an understanding of the health care environment and learn the essentials of administration of the physician’s office to include ethics, bioethics, and medicolegal responsibilities. Front office tasks, such as greeting and addressing patients, patient registration and sign in, processing records, escorting, and instructing patients, filing procedures will be learned and practiced. Medical records management and electronic medical records systems will be included in this course.
Students will learn the essentials of administration of the physician’s office to include basic communications, appointments and scheduling, records management, documentation, drug and prescription records, and control and storage of drugs.
MA 108 Mathematics
This course covers basic arithmetic operations including Roman numerals, decimal places, rounding significant figures, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals and fractions, parts of a fraction, percentages, ratios, proportions, dimensional analysis, the 5-step problem solving method and conversions of fractions, decimals and percentages, ratios, and proportions.
Students will learn about parenteral medication and principles of intravenous therapy. Emphasis will be placed on calculation of medication dosages, weights and measures including the metric system and conversions between the metric system and household system. The proportional method for converting metric equivalents will be discussed. Medications measured in units such as insulin, heparin, etc. will be covered.
The course also covers basic pharmacy math including temperature conversions, household measurements, metric system, apothecary system, medication abbreviations, calculating dosages when giving medications in tablet, capsule form, or liquid form, preparing solutions, diluting stock solutions, determining the rate of intravenous medications, dosages based on body weight and body surface area, and pediatric dosing.
MA 109 Pharmacology
This course introduces the medical assistant student to the basic principles and concepts of pharmacology, the scientific study of drugs. Students will learn about drugs and receptors, the mechanism by which drugs exert their effects and adverse drug reactions. The course also includes units devoted to the study of drugs affecting the geriatric population, the endocrine system and adrenal steroids, and antibacterial agents and antifungal drugs.
MA 201 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology II
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology, as well as study the structural organization of the body, including cavities and organs. Students will continue their study of pathology and clinical laboratory procedures.
MA 202 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques II
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of care of obstetrics and gynecology patients, the examination of the male reproductive system and genitalia, specialty lab testing, developmental changes of and care of pediatric patients, and diagnostic imaging.
MA 203 Coding II
Students will begin work on procedural coding for outpatient and/or office visits and treatment utilizing CPT codes. This course will concentrate on hands-on activities designed to develop accurate coding skills and assignment of proper codes. At the completion of this course students will have gained experience in assigning CPT-4 procedural codes and allowance fees based on insurance coverage. Students will also understand the purpose of diagnostic related groups (DRGs) and understand their impact on and relationship to insurance payment.
MA 207 Fundamentals of Medical Assisting II
This course will familiarize students with the responsibilities of medical assistants and their role in providing patient care. Students will learn and gain practice assigning fees, credit and doing collection activities, banking, writing correspondence, processing mail, and telecommunications banking. Health insurance systems plans, and programs will be included. Students will also learn to provide care for patients with special needs, such as physical disabilities, sight, hearing and impairment, mobility, and cognitive impairment.
Office management, including qualities of a manager, management styles, supervising staff, diversity, performance evaluations, time management, marketing; employment recruitment, hiring and development; policy and procedures management, facilities and equipment management, financial management, payroll, insurance coverage and bonding, accounts payable and collections and analyzing productivity will also be studied.
MA 301 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology III
This course focuses on the normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the sensory organs, blood, lymphatic, and immune, and endocrine systems; and diagnostic and pathological terminology, clinical procedures and abbreviations, pathological conditions and laboratory tests associated with each system will be covered in this course.
MA 302 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques III
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of rehab and therapy, accurate measurements and vital signs, maintenance of equipment and recording of ECGs, and hematology.
MA 401 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology IV
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology. This course will focus on the normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the blood, lymphatic, urinary, and endocrine systems, and comprehensive review of all systems; diagnostic and pathological terminology, clinical procedures and abbreviations, pathological conditions and laboratory tests associated with each system will be covered in this course.
MA 402 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques III
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of uranalysis, recognizing and responding to medical emergencies, assessment of patient first aid, CPR, assessment of patient nutritional status and special diets, and implementation of plans for healthy lifestyle.
PH 100 Phlebotomy Techniques I
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills necessary for a career as a phlebotomist.
Included in the course are components on basic Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Medical Terminology, Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, Capillary Puncture, and Hematology.
PH 101 Phlebotomy Techniques II
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills necessary for a career as a phlebotomist.
Included in the course are components on phlebotomy, venipuncture, capillary puncture, and hematology.
MA 510 Externship
At completion of the didactic training students will gain experiential training at a medical assistant externship in a physician’s office, hospital-based or independent clinic, or other outpatient care facility. The externship is one-half quarter (0.5) or four weeks of 40-hours per week totaling 160 hours.
MA students have the option to complete additional externship hours in a laboratory/hospital setting to achieve the sticks/blood draws required to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) examination. This is not required for MA students to meet graduation requirements.
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology. Study of the anatomy and physiology of the body will begin at the microscopic level, examining the building blocks and function of the blood. The structural organization of the body, including cavities, organs, clinical divisions of the abdomen and back, and positions, directions and planes of the body will be mastered.
The normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the digestive system and additional suffixes of digestive terminology.
MA 102 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques I
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of medical office safety plans and OSHA protection, bloodborne pathogen standards and universal precautions, breaking the cycle of infection, CDC reporting requirements, basic practices of infection prevention and asepsis, preparing the patient for examination, the medical assistant role in performance of a physical examination and procedures, and assisting with office procedures
MA 103 Coding I
Students will be introduced to diagnostic and procedural coding for outpatient and/or office visits and treatment using ICD-10-CM, CPT-4, and HCPCS codes. This course will concentrate on hands-on activities designed to develop accurate coding skills and assignment of proper codes. At the completion of this course students will have gained experience in assigning ICD-10-CM codes to identify diagnoses, including coding injuries and late effects, supplemental external causes of injury (E-codes), supplementary V-codes and neoplasms; codes for reporting acute and chronic conditions, outpatient surgery and reporting of preoperative evaluation.
MA 104 Communications and Professional Skills
Students will gain skills and knowledge necessary to deliver quality customer service in a healthcare environment. Emphasis will be placed on creating positive relationships with patients, visitors, and coworkers through-the-use of effective verbal and non-verbal communication. Students will gain experience in active listening, reflecting, summarizing, concentrating, and responding appropriately in face-to-face as well as telephone conversations. The impact of appearance, posture, tone of voice, body language, facial expressions, eye contact and professionalism on positive communications will also be discussed and practiced. Students will learn to explain why information is needed, get facts in logical order, reword or paraphrase confusing questions, and be prepared to explain policies of a facility. Skills for dealing with conflict resolution and difficult behaviors will be covered. The course will include discussion about the impact of cultural diversity in the workplace as well as tips for time and stress management. Students will apply communications skills learned to professional development, including interviewing techniques, job search strategies, and job survival skills.
MA 105 Computers
Students are introduced to concepts of computer operations and general navigation through Windows using a network PC. The initial focus of the course will introduce students to proper keyboarding style and technique. Students will gain mastery of the entire keyboard with emphasis on speed and accuracy on the alpha/numeric keyboard and numeric keypad.
During the MS Word component, students will be able to create, edit, save, and print basic documents; correctly format documents with margins, tabs, alignment, and spacing; and retrieve documents. Students will use acquired skills to produce employment documents, including a cover letter, resume and an interview thank you letter.
Students will gain experience in the preparation of basic financial reports. The course focuses on basic proficiency using MS Excel. During MS Excel, students will learn to enter text and data into a spreadsheet, to use formulas and functions, and to format a spreadsheet to be more attractive and easier to read. Students will gain experience in the preparation of basic financial reports.
MA 106 Electronic Health Records
The focus of this course is the understanding of the evolution of the health record and foundational knowledge of use of electronic health records in an office. It will include standard EHR coding systems, document imaging, codifying records, and the hardware, software, and networking requirements for an EHR system. Types of data, standards and documentation will be discussed.
Features of MS Office used in physician offices, clinicals, hospitals and other patient care areas will be learned during this course, such as the calendar, email signatures and folders. Allscripts software will be utilized for registration of new patients and updating existing patients, to enter patient demographics, vital signs, review of systems, physical examination, labs and procedures, immunizations, and injectable medications, viewing and updating patient information, scheduling appointments and activities, and performing financial and insurance functions.
Students will learn how to use and gain practice in use of the SimChart EHR to record patient care information and activities in a physician’s office.
MA 107 Fundamentals of Medical Assisting I
This course will familiarize students with the responsibilities of medical assistants and their role in providing patient care. Students will acquire an understanding of the health care environment and learn the essentials of administration of the physician’s office to include ethics, bioethics, and medicolegal responsibilities. Front office tasks, such as greeting and addressing patients, patient registration and sign in, processing records, escorting, and instructing patients, filing procedures will be learned and practiced. Medical records management and electronic medical records systems will be included in this course.
Students will learn the essentials of administration of the physician’s office to include basic communications, appointments and scheduling, records management, documentation, drug and prescription records, and control and storage of drugs.
MA 108 Mathematics
This course covers basic arithmetic operations including Roman numerals, decimal places, rounding significant figures, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals and fractions, parts of a fraction, percentages, ratios, proportions, dimensional analysis, the 5-step problem solving method and conversions of fractions, decimals and percentages, ratios, and proportions.
Students will learn about parenteral medication and principles of intravenous therapy. Emphasis will be placed on calculation of medication dosages, weights and measures including the metric system and conversions between the metric system and household system. The proportional method for converting metric equivalents will be discussed. Medications measured in units such as insulin, heparin, etc. will be covered.
The course also covers basic pharmacy math including temperature conversions, household measurements, metric system, apothecary system, medication abbreviations, calculating dosages when giving medications in tablet, capsule form, or liquid form, preparing solutions, diluting stock solutions, determining the rate of intravenous medications, dosages based on body weight and body surface area, and pediatric dosing.
MA 109 Pharmacology
This course introduces the medical assistant student to the basic principles and concepts of pharmacology, the scientific study of drugs. Students will learn about drugs and receptors, the mechanism by which drugs exert their effects and adverse drug reactions. The course also includes units devoted to the study of drugs affecting the geriatric population, the endocrine system and adrenal steroids, and antibacterial agents and antifungal drugs.
MA 201 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology II
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology, as well as study the structural organization of the body, including cavities and organs. Students will continue their study of pathology and clinical laboratory procedures.
MA 202 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques II
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of care of obstetrics and gynecology patients, the examination of the male reproductive system and genitalia, specialty lab testing, developmental changes of and care of pediatric patients, and diagnostic imaging.
MA 203 Coding II
Students will begin work on procedural coding for outpatient and/or office visits and treatment utilizing CPT codes. This course will concentrate on hands-on activities designed to develop accurate coding skills and assignment of proper codes. At the completion of this course students will have gained experience in assigning CPT-4 procedural codes and allowance fees based on insurance coverage. Students will also understand the purpose of diagnostic related groups (DRGs) and understand their impact on and relationship to insurance payment.
MA 207 Fundamentals of Medical Assisting II
This course will familiarize students with the responsibilities of medical assistants and their role in providing patient care. Students will learn and gain practice assigning fees, credit and doing collection activities, banking, writing correspondence, processing mail, and telecommunications banking. Health insurance systems plans, and programs will be included. Students will also learn to provide care for patients with special needs, such as physical disabilities, sight, hearing and impairment, mobility, and cognitive impairment.
Office management, including qualities of a manager, management styles, supervising staff, diversity, performance evaluations, time management, marketing; employment recruitment, hiring and development; policy and procedures management, facilities and equipment management, financial management, payroll, insurance coverage and bonding, accounts payable and collections and analyzing productivity will also be studied.
MA 301 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology III
This course focuses on the normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the sensory organs, blood, lymphatic, and immune, and endocrine systems; and diagnostic and pathological terminology, clinical procedures and abbreviations, pathological conditions and laboratory tests associated with each system will be covered in this course.
MA 302 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques III
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of rehab and therapy, accurate measurements and vital signs, maintenance of equipment and recording of ECGs, and hematology.
MA 401 Anatomy & Physiology / Medical Terminology IV
Students will learn the language of medicine, combining root words, suffixes, and prefixes to create, define, spell, and correctly enunciate medical terminology. This course will focus on the normal anatomic structure and physiological function of the blood, lymphatic, urinary, and endocrine systems, and comprehensive review of all systems; diagnostic and pathological terminology, clinical procedures and abbreviations, pathological conditions and laboratory tests associated with each system will be covered in this course.
MA 402 Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Techniques III
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills for assisting physicians and other providers with patient care.
Included in the course are components of uranalysis, recognizing and responding to medical emergencies, assessment of patient first aid, CPR, assessment of patient nutritional status and special diets, and implementation of plans for healthy lifestyle.
PH 100 Phlebotomy Techniques I
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills necessary for a career as a phlebotomist.
Included in the course are components on basic Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Medical Terminology, Phlebotomy, Venipuncture, Capillary Puncture, and Hematology.
PH 101 Phlebotomy Techniques II
This laboratory course includes theory and hands-on learning and application of principles utilizing simulative technology. The course will help students to acquire requisite knowledge as well as critical thinking and psychomotor skills necessary for a career as a phlebotomist.
Included in the course are components on phlebotomy, venipuncture, capillary puncture, and hematology.
MA 510 Externship
At completion of the didactic training students will gain experiential training at a medical assistant externship in a physician’s office, hospital-based or independent clinic, or other outpatient care facility. The externship is one-half quarter (0.5) or four weeks of 40-hours per week totaling 160 hours.
MA students have the option to complete additional externship hours in a laboratory/hospital setting to achieve the sticks/blood draws required to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) examination. This is not required for MA students to meet graduation requirements.