HLTH6015 - Medical Assisting

Course Description

This Medical Assisting program is designed for the working health professional to become a certified Medical Assistant and improve their skills and critical thinking in the clinical setting. Group discussions are planned for Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 5pm, beginning Jan 24, ending May 22, 2024. The text will be Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 5th edition, quizzes will be done asynchronously and online. In addition to the didactic training, 720 hours of clinical experience is required to qualify for the certification exam. Applicants will need to be employed in the clinical setting as a patient care or nursing assistant throughout the program.

• Interview patients and record their medical history
• Measure patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure and weight
• Help physicians with patient examinations
• Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
• Schedule patient appointments
• Collect and prepare samples of blood and other specimens for laboratory tests
• Enter patient information, such as their vital signs and test results, into medical records
• Maintain inventory of medical and office supplies

Medical assistants often focus on either clinical or administrative tasks, although some do both. Their primary clinical tasks involve taking and recording patients’ personal information and medical history. Other tasks that assistants are allowed to do vary by state and may include performing basic laboratory tests, disposing of contaminated supplies, and sterilizing medical instruments. Some assistants have additional responsibilities, such as instructing patients about medications or drawing blood. Medical assistants may have a range of administrative tasks. They help patients understand and receive their insurance coverage, such as by completing forms, coding information, and contacting companies about billing. They also inventory, order, and restock medical and office supplies; answer telephones; and schedule appointments. Medical assistants must adhere to confidentiality standards when working with patients and patient information.
(reference https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2)

Dates: Begins Jan 17, 2024 ends May 22, 2024

Class meetings via Zoom are essential and planned for Wednesday Afternoons 1 to 5 pm.

The student must prepare to sit for a nationally recognized Medical Assisting certification exam upon the end of the course.

Course Outline

This Medical Assisting program is designed for the working health professional to become a certified Medical Assistant and improve their skills and critical thinking in the clinical setting.

Group discussions are planned for Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 5pm over Zoom, beginning Jan 17, ending May 22, 2024.

The text will be Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 5th edition, quizzes will be done asynchronously and online.

In addition to the didactic training, 720 hours of clinical experience is required to qualify for the certification exam.

Applicants will need to be employed in the clinical setting as a patient care or nursing assistant throughout the program.