Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting

In this required introductory course, students will identify current issues in health science and how they relate to chosen health science professions. Educational and credentialing requirements will be defined for health science occupations. Students will create a personal education plan, choosing appropriate electives and identifying specific career optionsbased on personal goals and research of the profession. Professional traits and skills for success in the field will be explored as well as discussion of roles and responsibilities of selected health professionals.

This course emphasizes the basic principles and applications of law, ethics, and bioethics as they relate to the medical arena. It covers legal terms, consent, contracts, physician/patient relationships, professional liability, and various medical issues. Through lectures, class discussions, case studies, and library research, students acquire knowledge of the importance of their professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.

This course provides a logical understanding of the language of medicine. Basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules for taking a singular term and making it plural are studied, along with word analysis, word building, spelling, and pronunciation. These principles are applied to study the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle/joints, blood and lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular. Each body system is reviewed with anatomy and physiology; diagnostic, lab, and surgical procedures; as well as pharmacology for interest and knowledge.

This course is an integrated study of the human body. The focus is on understanding the interrelated nature of the systems of the body. This includes the concept of homeostasis as well as the relationship between structure and function. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course presents the chemical basis of life and provides a basic understanding of cells, cellular metabolism, and tissue composition and functions. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, and senses.

This course is the continuation of integrated study of the human body. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.

This course is a systematic study of basic pharmacology principles with emphasis on the skills and information needed to succeed in a working environment. Topics covered include drug classes, dosage calculations and measurement conversions, drug administration routes, and proper medication documentation procedures.

Studies include the most common diseases of bodily systems, including disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. Students also study alternative treatments and pain management.

The course explores procedural guidelines for accomplishing various administrative tasks in the health care setting. Topics include management of patient information, medical office software skills, and general workplace competencies of health care employees.

Using ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes, students learn basic coding principles used in filing insurance claims. Students also become acquainted with various types of health insurance and insurance terminology.

This course will focus on the aspects of professionalism that a health care professional needs in order to successfully work in a medical office setting, including communication skills, personal appearance, and interpersonal interactions. The course will prepare students for the clinical experience.

This course introduces students to the educational theory of procedures commonly performed in a health care setting with special attention to understanding how aseptic technique, documentation, and safety apply to each skill. Specific competencies will include: health history, vital signs, specialty exams, sterilization, minor surgical procedures, and surgical asepsis.

This course introduces students to the educational theory of procedures commonly performed in a health care setting with special attention to understanding how aseptic technique, documentation, and safety apply to each skill.  Specific competencies will include: phlebotomy, specimen processing, growth charts, instrumentation, methods of quality control, capillary puncture, CLIA-waived testing, microbiology procedures, urinalysis, and administering medications.

This course will focus on the performance of clinical skills in an approved medical facility or educational medical lab, as appropriate. Students will complete a minimum of 50 hours and all required competency skills.

Successful completion of this course will require 160 hours of clinical and administrative experience at an approved health care setting. Students will be evaluated on the performance of expected competencies at the end of the course. The course requires a final presentation. The online version of MA 290 requires each student to work with the School of Health Sciences clinical staff to locate an externship site a minimum of two terms prior to beginning the externship.