The Medical Assisting (MA) student will be trained to perform at a minimum entry level in
positions normally available in a medical facility such as physicians’, chiropractors’, or
podiatrists’ offices and clinics.
The program provides the MA with entry-level theory and limited “hands-on” training in basic
and routine clinical and office tasks. This will equip the MA with the competencies required
to perform in either a clinical or office capacity. The graduate will be able to assist in EKG, X
-ray procedures, first aid, and phlebotomy. He/She will be able to perform clinical procedures,
preparing the patient for physical exams, and assisting the physician with other exams. The
MA may help the physician with minor surgical procedures and can sterilize and care for instruments.
In some venues, the MA is expected to effectively handle administrative office procedures
such as keyboarding, billing, coding, scheduling, transcription, insurance claims, and
computerized record keeping. The MA possesses a thorough understanding of health-related
ethics and other business principles that bear on the practitioner’s relationship with the patient.
As the medical profession continues to grow as a result of the population living longer and
advancements in procedures, treatments, and medications, more patients will require medical
services. Therefore, an increasing number of MAs will be needed to handle the many
responsibilities for which they are uniquely trained.
Course subject descriptions are as follows:
FIRST TERM
MED 101 Clinical Procedures I 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
This introductory course includes a survey of medical assisting occupations and their education
and certification requirements. The course is designed to furnish the student with both theory
and practical applications of medical assisting basics.
MED 121 Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Terminology I 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
This course familiarizes the student with human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology.
The course covers the tissues and organs that make up the body systems. Body systems,
functions, and diseases, including symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, and medications are
discussed.
ENG 110 Communications 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
The expectations of Delta technical College's students to be professional in every situation is high. Students learn to
act as professionals through role play and class interactions and assignments. Students are
graded on their classroom participation as a major portion of their grade. Students learn to
effectively communicate with each other and apply it to the workplace setting. Each student
will be introduced to the importance and practice of effective public speaking.
COA 104 Computer Keyboarding 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
Virtually every career includes keyboarding skills. This is a skill that provides access to critical
information. Medical facilities everywhere have expectations that their staff will have the ability
to type an average of 30 wpm. In this course, students will learn general keyboarding with
timed writings for speed and accuracy. Techniques and meaningful practice is offered in lab
sessions.
SECOND TERM
MED 102 Clinical Procedure II 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
This course is a continuation of Clinical Procedures I. During these twelve weeks, the student will
begin to learn about and work with the laboratory tasks routinely performed in a medical facility.
An introduction into the collecting and handling of specimens for testing, both at a facility
and at an outside laboratory, are covered. Also, the administration of medications, along with
beginning radiology and EKG’s will be covered. An introduction to pharmacology is included.
MED 122 Anatomy, Physiology & Medical Termonology II 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
A continuation of systems of the body and medical terminology. Functions of the systems, as
well as diseases, diagnostic tests, treatments and medications, are included.
MED 211 Medical Office Procedures I 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
Materials for this course are chosen with the goal of providing a “real life” office simulation
experience for the students. Students will feel as though they are a member of a real office environment.
Simulations are offered in setting up patient files, scheduling patients, transcribing,
preparing health insurance forms, and general accounting procedures. All of these are a vital
part of an office environment, and students will need to learn that flexibility of job duties is of
utmost importance.
MED 251 Pharmacology I 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
Presentation of the principles of pharmacology relating to the medical assisting profession is at
the core of this course. Emphasis is placed on correlation of drug therapy and pathophysiologic
conditions, patient education regarding medications, and researching drugs using a drug reference.
The course includes the use, action, side effects, contraindication, and routes of administration
most commonly administered in the medical office. It also includes familiarization with
the most commonly prescribed drugs, their dosages, how to figure dosages correctly and drug
preparation.
THIRD TERM
MED 203 Clinical Procedures III 2.5 Semester Credits Hours
The student will become proficient in 12-lead EKG hook-ups and trouble-shooting. Students
will learn to differentiate between normal and abnormal EKG’s and will learn to recognize the
most commonly occurring major arrhythmias. Five (5) weeks of this course are devoted to phlebotomy
and critical skills review.
MED 212 Medical Office Procedures II 2.5 Semester Credit Hours
The course familiarizes the student with all aspects of the insurance industry relative to the medical office. Insurance coding (CPT and ICD-9 coding), employability skills, resume writing, interview skills, an introduction to medical transcription, proofreading skills, punctuation, and spelling exercises are incorporated into this course. These duties are essential to the success of the medical assistant in the administrative role.
MED 252 Pharmacology II 3.5 Semester Credit Hours
This course is a continuation of Pharmacology I. It will focus on drugs used for specific systems,
studying each system separately. The drugs are studied by students becoming familiar
with side effects, actions, contraindications, routes of administration and other factual data
about the drugs. There is an emphasis on spelling drug names.
PSY 101 Psychology/Ethics 2.5 Semester Credit Hours
It is imperative that the ambulatory care employee have a knowledge of medical law, ethics and
bioethics so that the client may be treated with understanding, sensitivity and compassion. The
goal is to provide the student with education involving ethical and legal responsibilities so that
they may better serve the ambulatory care provider. Law and ethics will be the focus of discussion.
The student will have an understanding of the chronic and acutely ill mental health patient.
The student will learn about the most common psychiatric disorders and conditions and
be familiar with their signs and symptoms, treatments as well as the role of the MA with a mental
health patient.
FOURTH TERM
MED 291 Externship 4 Semester Credit Hours
In the third term, students will meet with the Externship Coordinator to begin planning their externships. Externship is required for all students and must be completed to be eligible for graduation and to receive their diploma.
To qualify for the externship phase of the program, a student must first have met the 2.0 GPA in all subjects or retaking a subject as well as having an overall attendance of 90% in his or her medical courses. All work is performed under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel at the site in cooperation with Delta Technical College Externship/Placement Coordinator. Externs are not entitled to compensation. The student will be scheduled for 180 hours on an extern site or sites that have Externship Agreements with Delta Technical College. Externship schedules will be arranged according to the student’s class schedules, and where possible, their personal schedules.
Additional Requirements: Two complete uniforms will be supplied including scrub pants, scrub tops, and one lab coat with patch and name badge. Students will be able to purchase additional uniforms as desired. Each student will also be provided a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. Students will be asked to provide their own white shoes (clean, with no writing) as well as a watch with a second hand.
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