Medical Assisting

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Identify common pathologies affecting major body systems and their impact on structure and function across the lifespan. 2. Explain how disruption of homeostasis contributes to disease and disability. 3. Analyze interactions among body systems in disease development and treatment. 4. Interpret charts, graphs, tables, and growth charts to support clinical decision-making. 5. Demonstrate infection control practices including hand hygiene, asepsis, and sterilization procedures. 6. Differentiate between medical and surgical asepsis and determine appropriate application in patient care. 7. Obtain and record accurate patient assessment data including vital signs, patient history, pulmonary function te8. sting, and screening procedures. 8. Prepare patients for examinations or treatments and assist providers during clinical procedures using proper body mechanics. 9. Document patient care and education accurately using medical terminology and electronic communication systems. 10. Apply verbal and nonverbal communication techniques such as active listening, reflection, clarification, and feedback. 11. Identify communication barriers and adapt communication strategies based on cultural, developmental, language, and environmental factors. 12. Demonstrate professional communication including assertiveness, organization of technical information, and accurate reporting of clinical information. 13. Apply legal, ethical, and moral principles in medical assisting practice, including patient rights and professional boundaries. 14. Advocate for patients by recognizing unsafe or illegal activities, reporting concerns appropriately, and connecting patients with community resources. 15. Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, cultural competence, and ethical behavior while providing patient-centered care.

Cognitive

1. Identify the classifications of medications, including desired effects, side effects, and adverse reactions.
2. Describe the relationship between anatomy and physiology of all body systems and the medications used for treatment in each.
3. Define the basic units of measurement in metric, apothecary and household systems.
4. Convert among measurement systems.
5. Identify both abbreviations and symbols used in calculating medication dosages.
6. Describe the process to follow if an error is made in patient care.

Psychomotor

1. Select the proper sites for administering parenteral medication.
2. Administer oral medications.
3. Administer parenteral (excluding IV) medications.
4. Prepare proper dosages of medication for administration.
5. Prepare a written report using the Medical Model format.
6. Develop an environmental plan.

Affective

1. Verify ordered doses/dosages prior to administration.
2. Demonstrate self-awareness in responding to emergency situations.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: Cognitive: 1. Discuss pros and cons of various types of appointment management systems 2. Describe scheduling guidelines 3. Recognize office policies and protocols for handling appointments 4. Identify critical information required for scheduling patient admissions and/or procedures 5. Identify systems for organizing medical records 6. Describe various types of content maintained in a patient’s medical record 7. Discuss pros and cons of various filing methods 8. Identify both equipment and supplies needed for filing medical records 9. Describe indexing rules 10. Discuss filing procedures 11. Discuss principles of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) 12. Identify types of records common to the healthcare setting 13. Identify time management principles 14. Discuss the importance of routine maintenance of office equipment. 15. Explain basic bookkeeping computations 16. Differentiate between bookkeeping and accounting 17. Describe banking procedures 18. Discuss precautions for accepting checks 19. Compare types of endorsements 20. Differentiate between accounts payable and accounts receivable 21. Compare manual and computerized bookkeeping systems used in ambulatory healthcare 22. Describe common periodic financial reports. 23. Explain both billing and payment options 24. Identify procedures for preparing patient accounts 25. Discuss procedures for collecting outstanding accounts 26. Describe the impact of both the Fair Debt Collection Act and the Federal Truth in Lending Act of 1968 as they apply to collections 27. Discuss types of adjustments that may be made to a patient’s account 28. Identify types of insurance plans 29. Identify models of managed care 30. Discuss workers’ compensation as it applies to patients 31. Describe procedures for implementing both managed care and insurance plans 32. Discuss utilization review principles 33. Discuss the referral process for patients in a managed care program 34. Describe how guidelines are used in processing an insurance claim. 35. Compare processes for filing insurance claims both manually and electronically 36. Describe guidelines for third-party claims 37. Discuss types of physician fee schedules 38. Describe the concept of Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) 39. Define Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) 40. Discuss the legal scope of practice for medical assistants 41. Explore issues of confidentiality as it applies to the medical assistant 42. Describe the implications of HIPAA for the medical assistant in various medical settings 43. Summarize the Patient Bill of Rights 44. Discuss licensure and certification as it applies to healthcare providers 45. Describe liability, professional, personal injury, and third-party insurance 46. Compare and contrast the physician and medical assistant’s role in care standards 47. Compare criminal and civil law as it applies to the practicing medical assistant 48. Provide an example of tort law as it would apply to a medical assistant 49. Explain how the following impact the medical assistant’s practice with examples: Negligence, Malpractice, Statute of Limitations, Good Samaritan Act(s), Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, Living Will/Advanced Directives, Medical Durable Power of Attorney. 50. Identify how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to the medical assisting profession 51. Discuss all levels of governmental legislation and regulation as they apply to medical assistants 52. Discuss principles of using the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Psychomotor: 1. Explain general office policies 2. Demonstrate telephone techniques 3. Compose professional/business letters 4. Manage appointment schedules by establishing priorities 5. Schedule patient admissions and/or procedures 6. Organize a patient’s medical record 7. File medical records 8. Execute data management by using the electronic medical record (EMR) 9. Use office hardware and software to maintain office systems 10. Use the Internet to access information related to the medical office 11. Maintain organization by filing properly 12. Perform routine maintenance of office equipment with documentation 13. Perform an office inventory 14. Prepare a bank deposit 15. Perform accounts receivable procedures to include: Posting entries on a Day Sheet, Performing billing procedures, Performing collection procedures, Post adjustments, Process a credit balance, Process refunds, Post non-sufficient fund (NSF) checks, Post collection agency payments. 16. Utilize computerized office billing systems 17. Apply both managed care policies and procedures 18. Apply third-party guidelines 19. Complete insurance claim forms 20. Obtain pre-certification including documentation 21. Obtain pre-authorization including documentation 22. Verify eligibility for managed care services. 23. Respond to issues of confidentiality 24. Perform within scope of practice 25. Apply HIPAA rules in regard to privacy/release of information 26. Practice within the standard of care for a medical assistant 27. Incorporate the Patient’s Bill of Rights into personal practice and medical office policies and procedures 28. Complete an Incident Report 29. Document the patient record accurately 30. Apply local, state, and federal healthcare legislation and regulations appropriate to the medical assisting practice setting Affective: 1. Consider staff needs and limitations in establishing a filing system 2. Implement time-management principles to maintain effective office functions 3. Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism with patients when handling accounts receivable issues 4. Demonstrate assertive communication with managed care and/or insurance providers 5. Demonstrate sensitivity in communicating with providers, patients & staff 6. Communicate in language the patient can understand regarding managed care and insurance plans 7. Demonstrate sensitivity to patient rights 8. Demonstrate awareness of the consequences of not working within the legal scope of practice 9. Recognize the importance of local, state, and federal legislation and regulations in the practice setting

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain how disruption of homeostasis contributes to disease processes and disability. 2. Apply mathematical principles, measurement systems, and basic calculations used in healthcare settings. 3. Describe the infection cycle, including infectious agents, reservoirs, susceptible hosts, transmission methods, and portals of entry and exit. 4. Identify major types of infectious agents and compare methods used to control the growth and transmission of microorganisms. 5. Apply infection control practices including Standard Precautions, transmission-based precautions, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 6. Explain the role of regulatory agencies and guidelines, including OSHA and CDC standards, in maintaining safety and infection control in healthcare environments. 7. Identify and implement workplace safety practices including hazard recognition, safety signage, MSDS/SDS use, and techniques for maintaining a safe healthcare environment. 8. Apply principles of body mechanics and ergonomics to prevent injury and promote safe patient care practices. 9. Perform laboratory specimen collection procedures including venipuncture and capillary puncture while maintaining patient safety and comfort. 10. Conduct diagnostic testing procedures including electrocardiography and CLIA-waived laboratory testing such as hematology and urinalysis. 11. Apply quality control procedures, screen laboratory results, and maintain accurate laboratory documentation using flow sheets. 12. Interpret laboratory test results and distinguish between normal and abnormal findings within the scope of medical assisting practice. 13. Demonstrate professional and empathetic patient communication when preparing patients for procedures and collecting specimens. 14. Apply emergency response procedures including CPR, first aid, fire safety, hazardous material response, and evacuation protocols in healthcare settings. 15. Participate in and evaluate emergency preparedness activities, including environmental exposure simulations and community emergency response planning.

Cognitive 1. Discuss implications for disease and disability when homeostasis is not maintained. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic math computations. 3. Apply mathematical computations to solve equations. 4. Identify measurement systems. 5. Describe the infection cycle, including the infectious agent, reservoir, susceptible host, means of transmission, portals of entry, and portals of exit. 7. Discuss infection control procedures. 8. Identify personal safety precautions as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 10. List major types of infectious agents. 11. Compare different methods of controlling the growth of microorganisms. 12. Match types and uses of personal protective equipment (PPE). 13. Identify disease processes that are indications for CLIA waived tests. 14. Describe Standard Precautions, including: transmission based precautions, purpose, activities regulated. 15. Discuss the application of Standard Precautions with regard to: all body fluids, secretions and excretions, blood, non-intact skin, mucous membranes. 16. Identify the role of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regulations in healthcare settings. 18. Describe personal protective equipment. 19. Identify safety techniques that can be used to prevent accidents and maintain a safe work environment. 21. Describe the importance of Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in a healthcare setting. 23. Identify safety signs, symbols and labels. 24. State principles and steps of professional/provider CPR. 25. Describe basic principles of first aid. 26. Describe fundamental principles for evacuation of a healthcare setting. 27. Discuss fire safety issues in a healthcare environment. 28. Discuss requirements for responding to hazardous material disposal. 29. Identify principles of body mechanics and ergonomics. 30. Discuss critical elements of an emergency plan for response to a natural disaster or other emergency. 31. Identify emergency preparedness plans in your community. 32. Discuss potential role(s) of the medical assistant in emergency preparedness. Psychomotor 1. Perform venipuncture. 2. Perform capillary puncture. 3. Perform electrocardiography. 4. Perform quality control measures. 5. Perform CLIA waived hematology testing. 6. Perform CLIA waived urinalysis. 7. Screen test results. 8. Maintain laboratory test results using flow sheets. 9. Participate in training on Standard Precautions. 10. Practice Standard Precautions. 11. Select appropriate barrier/personal protective equipment (PPE) for potentially infectious situations. 12. Comply with safety signs, symbols and labels. 13. Evaluate the work environment to identify safe vs. unsafe working conditions. 14. Develop a personal (patient and employee) safety plan. 15. Demonstrate proper use of the following equipment: eyewash, fire extinguishers, sharps disposal containers. 19. Participate in a mock environmental exposure event with documentation of steps taken. 21. Explain an evacuation plan for a physician’s office. 22. Demonstrate methods of fire prevention in the healthcare setting. 23. Maintain provider/professional level CPR certification. 24. Perform first aid procedures. 25. Maintain current list of community resources for emergency preparedness. Affective 1. Distinguish between normal and abnormal test results. 2. Display sensitivity to patient rights and feelings in collecting specimens. 3. Explain the rationale for performance of a procedure to the patient. 4. Recognize the effects of stress on all persons involved in emergency situations. 5. Show awareness of patient’s concern regarding their perceptions related to procedures being performed. 7. Demonstrate self awareness in responding to emergency situations.

1. Identify the current procedural and diagnostic coding systems, including Healthcare Common Procedure Coding Systems II (HCPCS Level II). 2. Describe how to use the most current procedural coding system. 3. Identify the effects of upcoding and down coding. 4. Define medical necessity. 5. Perform procedural coding. 6. Perform diagnostic coding. 7. Utilize medical necessity guidelines.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe the duties, responsibilities, and professional role of the medical assistant within the healthcare team. 2. Explain the roles and collaborative responsibilities of members of the healthcare team in patient care. 3. Explain the structure, expectations, and requirements of the clinical externship experience. 4. Identify student responsibilities, professional expectations, and learning opportunities associated with the clinical externship and service-learning experiences. 5. Describe strategies for locating employment opportunities and preparing for career advancement in the medical assisting profession. 6. Develop professional job-search materials, including a resume and cover letter appropriate for healthcare employment. 7. Demonstrate effective interview skills by responding appropriately to common interview questions during a mock interview. 8. Explain strategies for maintaining professional well-being, including techniques for preventing job burnout. 9. Apply communication and organizational skills to prepare and deliver a structured oral presentation. 10. Analyze learning experiences gained through clinical externship and service-learning activities in relation to course objectives and professional development. 11. Reflect on personal and professional growth through journaling and guided reflection linking experiential learning to course content. 12. Demonstrate professional communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills during externship and service-learning experiences. 13. Participate in supervised clinical practice by completing required externship hours in a healthcare setting. 14. Engage in community service-learning activities that support patient care and community health initiatives. 15. Evaluate personal readiness for employment by integrating externship experiences, service-learning, and professional development activities.