Medical Assisting Technology
Associate of Applied Science
[ Vickie Hopkins ]
Medical Assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession whose practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health care delivery team and perform many administrative and clinical procedures. The business administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients; obtaining patients’ data; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports, and manuscripts; assuming responsibility for office care; and handling insurance matters, office accounts, fees, and collections. The clinical duties vary according to state law and may include preparing the patient for examination, obtaining vital signs, taking medical histories, assisting with examinations and treatments, performing routine office laboratory procedures and electro-cardiograms, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, sterilizing instruments and equipment for office procedures, and instructing patients in preparation for x-ray and laboratory examinations. Both administrative and clinical duties involve purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment. A medical assistant may also be responsible for personnel and office management. Both Administrative and Clinical Duties involve using computer applications.
The Associate of Applied Science degree option consists of an 11 month certificate program plus the general education core for AAS degrees. Students are required to complete all MET course work with a grade of “C” or higher and successful completion of the certificate program (45 hours) entitles graduates to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Examination (CMA AAMA).
CIP Code: 510801
Program Code: 8750
Prerequisite Courses for Medical Assisting
Prerequisite Courses — 4 hrs
A combined lecture and laboratory course that provides an introduction to the anatomical and physiological study of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels. Organ systems covered in this course are the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
American Heart Association CPR at the Health Care Provider level
*BIO 1534 or BIO 2514
Freshman Year
First Semester — 17 hrs
This course is a study of medical language relating to the various body systems including diseases, physical conditions, procedures, clinical specialities, and abbreviations. Emphasis is placed on correct spelling and pronunciation, and the use of computer assisted software. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
This course presents the administrative medical assistant procedures with office management written and oral communications. Emphasis placed on billing, collecting, bookkeeping and creating and maintaining medical records. The goal is to provide the student with practice situations through the use of simulated office settings, pegboard simulation, and demonstration. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
(Prerequisite: CPT 1113) The purpose of this course is to teach the student to work in the medical assisting position. Thus its aim is to provide the student with on-hands situations through the use of simulated office settings, pegboard simulation, and demonstration. The student will exercise good judgement, act independently, and cope with interruptions. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
This course covers medical law, ethics, acts; legal relationship of physician and patient; legal responsibilities of the medical assistant; and professional liability. Three hours lecture.
The course reflects basic theory and clinical information related to drugs, including classifications, source, dosages and measurements, regulatory requirements, and basic principles of drug administration. At all times, safety is emphasized for the health professional administering the medication and the patients receiving the medication. Accuracy is stressed. Three hours lecture.
Second Semester — 18 hrs
(Prerequisite: MET 1313 Clinical Procedures I) This course is a continuation of Clinical Procedures I and will expand the student's knowledge of the more complex activities encountered in the physician's office. The clinical duties include maintaining surgical asepsis, instructing patients in preparation for radiologic and sonographic studies, performing EKG's, preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician, and providing mobility assistance. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
This course will introduce students to the capabilities of a medical practice management software program typical of those currently used in doctors' offices. After completion of this course, the students will have knowledge about working with patient accounts, insurance claim forms, and handling reports dealing with management of the medical practice. Two hours lecture and four hours laboratory.
(Prerequisite: MET 1113) The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with different types of insurance, including disability, Worker's Compensation, Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare-Medicaid Cross over claims, group plans such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and TRICARE (formerly known as CHAMPUS). Practical approach to insurance billing, basic medical and insurance abbreviations, terminology, and ICD-9-CM and CPT coding will be presented. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
This summary course is designed to reivew the skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired during the didacticum. This course will serve to assist the student in preparing for the certificiation exam, the review of critical clinical skills and professional developmental issues. Three hours laboratory.
This course covers techniques of the clinical laboratory including competent use of the microscope, and understanding the theory and knowledge of the common laboratory tests performed in the physician's office. Develops proficiency in laboratory and quality assurance procedures including collection, preparation and processing of specimens, urinalysis, hematology, and biopsy; as well as accurately reporting test results commonly performed in a physician's office. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory.