Overview
This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, taking and documenting vital signs, technical aspects of phlebotomy, the 12-lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle.
Clinical Medical Assisting Detailed Course Information
This program covers the following key areas and topics:
- Responsibilities of the clinical medical assistant and introduction to healthcare facilities
- Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
- Care & safety of patients, medical & legal aspects of care, confidentiality and HIPAA
- Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal skills and human behavior
- Aseptic techniques, infection prevention, universal precautions, proper use and disposal of biohazards and sharps
- Documenting patient medical histories, updating patient medical files, vital signs and documentation
- Applying sterile dressings, preparing patients for x-rays, performing various injections, administering oral medications, instructing patients on the proper usage of medications
- Phlebotomy, venipunctures and capillary sampling, collecting specimens and point of care testing
- Performing 12 lead EKGs and EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave form)
- Role of the EKG technician
- Function of the EKG department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile service)
- Medical terminology related to electrocardiography
- Care and safety of patients including medical and legal aspects of patient care
- Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
- Electrophysiology, the conduction system of the heart, and the cardiac cycle
- Circulation of blood through the heart and vessels
- Lead placement for 12-lead electrocardiography
- Basic EKG interpretation of normal rhythms and arrhythmias
- EKG troubleshooting including recognizing artifacts
- Waves and measurements
- EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave-form interpretation)
- Identification of rhythms using the 12-lead EKG
- Pacemakers
- Holter monitoring and the echocardiogram
- The history of Phlebotomy and the roles and responsibilities of a Phlebotomy Technician
- Laboratory operations (e.g. safety, quality control,), quality assurance , laboratory law, ethics and regulatory issues
- Anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system and anatomy of the hand, leg & foot – including arteries and veins
- Universal precautions – safety protocols, infection control and medical asepsis
- Specimen collection, processing, handling, documentation and transportation
- Venipuntcures and skin puncture practice, syringe practice, heel puncture, protocol, syringe draws, etc
Medical Administrative Assistant Detailed Course Information:
- An overview of the healthcare industry and expectations for a healthcare professional
- Role of the medical administrative assistant
- History of medicine, medicine and the law, medical malpractice, medical ethics, and medical practice specialties
- Patient communication techniques, appointment scheduling and general office duties
- Basic terminology used in the medical office
- Medical records management, confidentiality of the medical record, initiating a medical record for new client and filing reports in the medical record
- HIPAA review and patient bill of rights and confidentiality, ethics and legal issues
- Financial practice management, health insurance & billing and coding procedures
- Professional fees, billing & collecting procedures, accounting systems
- Medical accounting, financial statements, cost analysis, budgets for the medical practice
- Specimen collection, laboratory safety and federal and state regulations
- Assisting with medical emergencies
Certifications
Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
There are several National Certification exams that are available to students who successfully complete this program:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Exam
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)