Medical Assistant Certificate Program Course Descriptions

 

MED 125 Medical Terminology

Prerequisite:  Eligible for English 101

3 credits

This course is a comprehensive study of the technical language of medicine through word construction. The student will learn the anatomic and clinical medical terms, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, and pharmacological agents pertaining to each body system.

 

MED 112 Medical Insurance and Billing

Pre or Corequisite: MED 125

3 credits

This course will cover the clerical and administrative skills necessary to work in a private physician’s office, a multi-specialty clinic, or a hospital setting. These skills include maintaining patient’s records including color-coding. Filing will also be discussed. This course will cover the important issues regarding healthcare today. They include healthcare reform, the changing skills required for success and the computerization of medical offices with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.)   This course will introduce the student to the major medical insurance programs used in physician offices and give a basic knowledge of the national diagnostic and procedural coding systems and forms.

 

MED 245 Clinical Lab Procedures I

Prerequisites: Keyboarding and Admission to the Medical Assistant Program

Co requisites: MED 125 and MED 112

This course provides an overview of healthcare procedures required by Medical Assistants. This course teaches students to prepare examination and treatment areas in healthcare settings. Concepts of Universal and Standard Precautions, aseptic technique, and infection control are presented. therapeutic communication, medical ethics, confidentiality and accountability are stressed. In addition, the course teaches students to perform simple lab tests, vital signs, and specimen collection. Introduction to medication administration and pharmacology are presented. The four-credit course has 3 hours of class and 3 hours of clinical laboratory experience per week.

 

BBG 114 Business Applications Software

Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENG 101

4 credits

A hands-on course which provides an in-depth study and coverage of business applications software providing practical experience with spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, database, and other current packages. Emphasis in the course will focus on using the microcomputer as a business tool. Supervised exercise or individual and group assignments are required.

 

MED 217 Medical Coding

Pre or Corequisite MED 123

3 credits

This course encompasses most aspects of fundamentals of the Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines used by providers to facilitate payment of health services. Students access the internet to research and apply coding concepts and conventions of ICD-9 and CPT-4 as they review actual medical records. A hands-on experience is provided with current medical practice management software application.

 

MED 246 Clinical Lab Procedures II

Prerequisites: Keyboarding, *BBG 114, *MED 125, *MED 112 and *MED 245 with a grade of C or better.

Co-requisites: ENG 101, PSY 111, MED 217

This advanced clinical procedure course builds upon the knowledge from Clinical Procedures I and provides the student with phlebotomy skills, EKG skills, and basic principles of radiology safety. The course will present concepts related to simple dressing changes and response to medical emergencies. Principles of pharmacology, nutrition and medication administration will be continued. The course will include 3 hours of class and 3 hours of lab per week and 45 hours of clinical over the semester.

 

MED 296 Cooperative Education Work Experience

Prerequisites: ENG 101, PSY 111, *MED 246 and * MED 217 with a grade of C or better.

3 credits

This course combines a classroom seminar with on the job learning. Students who meet program eligibility work at approved Cooperative education sites and attend regularly scheduled seminars on campus. Seminars cover the establishment of learning goals for the work assignment, work-related problem solving, and legal and ethical dilemma facing healthcare personnel. A final project is designed to incorporate on the job learning and medical law and ethics. Students must complete the seminar, all assignments, the final project, and the clinical work assignment to receive credit. This five-week summer course includes 3 hours of class per week and a minimum of 135 hours of unpaid, supervised externship.