MEDA - Medical Assistant

This course examines the professional qualities and expectations of a medical assistant along with the administrative and clinical duties required to perform in the role. Students will learn the purpose of accreditation and the significance of becoming a credentialed professional. Students will be introduced to types of insurance, health insurance basics, traditional insurance plans, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, military carriers, and Worker's Compensation and Disability insurance. The importance of interpersonal skills and the critical ability to apply them in the workplace with patients and co-workers will be covered. Students will be introduced to the patient privacy laws and be able to differentiate between laws and ethics. In addition, this course introduces students to basic medical terms, their meanings, and how to decipher medical terms that may not be recognizable at first glance. Students will construct complex medical terms from word roots, medical prefixes and medical suffixes in the context of case studies, personal examples, anatomical terms and diagnostic procedure examples. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 6 quarter hours

This course introduces students to basic anatomy and physiology associated with the major body systems. Students will gain an understanding of major body systems, common symptoms and signs of disease, routine diagnostic tests, common therapies associated with each system, etiology of disease, genetic and developmental disorders, and the effects of aging. Students will also build an understanding of medical terminology including root words, medical suffixes, and prefixes. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): CAR 204. 5 quarter hours

In this course the student will learn healthcare professional roles and responsibilities to include safety, communication, law and ethics, infection control, patient histories, and patient advocacy. The student will also learn basic math skills related to medication and measurements. This course will provide legal and ethical implications within healthcare, HIPAA regulations, safety, security, confidentiality, legislation, reporting, documentation, and health information. Pre-requisite(s): MEDA 100. Co-requisite(s): CAR 204. 5 quarter hours

This course continues to build on students' foundational knowledge of medical assisting with a focus on front office responsibilities and beginning level clinical skills. The administrative, clerical, and billing aspects of a medical office will be introduced. Principles and applications of medical and financial management, scheduling, billing, coding, insurance processing, and accounts receivable will be taught. Students will work with ICD-10, HCPCS, and CPT manuals. Students will learn how to perform vital sign measurements and emergent practices to be able to assist in the clinical area when necessary. Pre-requisite(s): MEDA 101 and MEDA 110. Co-requisite(s): CAR 204. 5 quarter hours

This course examines the general plan and structure of the human body and its function under normal, healthy conditions as well as an introduction to the body’s response to illness and disease. Students will also be introduced to basic information about common medical conditions, diseases, and the disease process. Emphasis will be placed on documentation of symptoms, patient assessment, case management - including diagnostic tests indicated, treatment indicated, patient education required and ways to validate a patient's understanding of their disease and treatment. In addition, this course examines the circulatory and respiratory systems, including the structure and function of heart and lungs, along with diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology associated with these systems. Students will apply knowledge of the electrical pathways of the heart muscle in preparation for applying electrocardiography leads and recording a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG). Pre-requisite(s): MEDA 100 and MEDA 110. Co-requisite(s): None. 6 quarter hours

In this course students will gain proficiency in the primary clinical skills required of medical assistants. Students will learn how to assist with physical exams. Students will perform lab duties such as specimen collection and testing, inclusive of venipuncture and capillary puncture. Additional clinical skills such as cardiology and radiology procedures, assisting with minor surgery, and medication administration will also be taught in this course. Students will conclude this course prepared to enter their clinical externship. Pre-requisite(s): MEDA 100, MEDA 110, and MEDA 120. Co-requisite(s): CAR 204. 5 quarter hours

This course enables students to challenge, test and hone the knowledge and skills they have acquired and developed throughout the program. Through this experience, students build subject matter expertise while continuing to develop values, attitudes and behaviors that will make them successful in the workplace. Each student must complete 160 hours supervised internship at an approved externship site. Pre-requisite(s): MEDA 101, MEDA 110, MEDA 120, and MEDA 130. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours