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SEMESTER I: COURSE	COURSE #	HOURS	CREDITS
MA Theory I	1D6001	98	3.25
Anatomy & Physiology I	1D6101	60	2.0
Medical Terminology I	1D6201	30	1.0
MA Lab Techniques I	1D6301	60	2.0
Medical Office Management (Semester 1 & 2)	1D6401	Second Semester
Computer Applications for Medical Office I	1D6501	30	1.0
Pharmacology I	1D6601	30	1.0
Business Communication I	1D6701	30	1.0
Psychology I	1D6801	30	1.0
Computer Exploration (Semester 1 & 2)	1D6901	Second Semester
Math for Pharmacology	1D6A01	30	1.0
SEMESTER II: COURSE	COURSE #	HOURS	CREDITS
MA Theory II	1D6B01	60	2.0
Anatomy & Physiology II	1D6C01	22	.75
Medical Terminology II	1D6D01	15	.5
Psychology II	1D6E01	15	.5
Computer Applications for a Medical Office II	1D6G01	15	.5
Pharmacology II	1D6H01	15	.5
MA Lab Techniques II	1D6J01	113	3.75
Medical Transcription	1D6K01	15	.5
Business Communication II	1D6L01	15	.5
Medical Office Management (Semester 1 & 2)	1D6401	38	1.25
Computer Exploration (Semester 1 & 2)	1D6901	38	1.25
Clinical Externship	1D6M01	240	8.0

Medical Assisting Course Descriptions

Semester I

MA THEORY I #1D6001 98 hours 3.25 credit
This course discusses of theory and laboratory procedures as part of the MA’s clinical duties. Skills taught are: inventory control, housekeeping and equipment maintenance, measuring and recording vital signs, techniques in medical asepsis and infection control, and assisting with various physical examinations. The student is also introduced to emergency first aid care, CPR, nutrition and federal and state health care legislation and regulations. Professionalism of the medical assistant is also covered stressing: personal attributes, job readiness, workplace dynamics, working with other allied health professionals, and the importance of credentialing.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I #1D6101 60 hours 2.0 credits
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the general plan and structure of the human body and its function under normal, healthy conditions and its response to illness, disease, diagnoses and treatment. It includes a study of anatomical divisions, body planes, and five of the eleven body systems.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I #1D6201 30 hours 1.0 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the common terms and abbreviations in current use in the medical field. The student will study the structure of medical words and terms as they relate to illness, disease, operative procedures, and specialty fields. The course material parallels that taught in Anatomy and Physiology (#1D6101) and Medical Assistant Theory (#1D6001).

MA LABORATORY TECHNIQUES I #1D6301 60 hours 2.0 credits
This laboratory experience will expose the medical assistant student to a variety of tasks, skills, and procedures he/she will likely encounter in a various medical office settings. These skills include, but are not limited to, collection, analysis, and processing of various blood and urine specimens, collection of throat and wound cultures, macroscopic and microscopic urinalysis. Laboratory assignments are coordinated with topics discussed in Medical Assisting Theory 1 (1D6001).

MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT #1D6401 2nd semester
This course focuses on the administrative, office, and business skills required to be successful in a medical environment. The management of the office can greatly influence the success of the practice. This course teaches students effective communication skills, professional behavior, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient reception and processing, medical records management, financial management, processing and management of insurance claims.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL OFFICE I #1D6501 30 hours 1.0 credits
This course is designed to expand the students’ computer skills through the use of the most common business application software packages. Students will strengthen their Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft Excel 2010 skills and explore their use in a medical office environment.

PHARMACOLOGY I #1D6601 30 hours 1.0 credits
This class is designed to familiarize the student with information regarding the law, terminology, definitions, abbreviations, drug classifications, prescriptions, and drug forms and routes of administration, as they are related to the Medical Assistant’s role in a clinical setting. Medication use, side effects, and adverse reactions to some of the most frequently prescribed medications are addressed.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION I #1D6701 30 hours 1.0 credits
As a student in this course, you will learn the most important skills of effective business communication in the medical office. This course is designed to present the students with different business scenarios that would require a specific form of communication, including e-mail, formal letters, presentations, and more.

PSYCHOLOGY I #1D6801 30 hours 1.0 credits
This course is designed to provide students with the basic psychology knowledge to meet the challenges in today’s workforce. It enables students to provide patients with an understanding and the support needed in the medical office. This course will also address some common patient difficulties such as anxiety, abuse, and mental illness.

COMPUTER EXPLORATION #1D6901 2nd semester
This is a hands-on laboratory course designed to teach the use of 21st century computer skills and their application in a medical office. It includes an introduction to hardware and software. Students will explore Windows 7, PowerPoint, Google docs, and several web based tools effective in the medical office environment.

MATH FOR PHARMACOLOGY #1D6A01 30 hours 1.0 credits
This course provides a review of basic math skills required to perform simple computations. The course includes a review of fractions and decimal fractions. Instruction in metric and English system of measurement is provided as well as conversion from one system to another. Students will learn how to perform basic drug calculations.

Semester II

MA THEORY II #1D6B01 60 hours 2.0 credits
This course is a continuation of Medical Assisting Technology & theory I. clinical skills introduced are sterilization and disinfection, assisting with minor office surgery, PFT’s recording an EKG, assisting patients with special needs, and preparations for x-ray procedures.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II #1D6C01 22 hours .75 credits
This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I (#1D6101) covering the remaining body systems.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY II #1D6D01 15 hours .5 credits
A continuation of Medical Terminology I, this course introduces various elements that are related to parts of the body. Continued word building, word or term recognition, definitions, and application of medical terminology are included.

PSYCHOLOGY II #1D6E01 15 hours .5 credits
This course will cover a wide variety of client profiles and appropriate therapeutic responses for stress, anger, suicide, depression, psychopathology, drug dependency, abuse, loss, and grief

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL OFFICE II #1D6G01 15 hours .5 credit
This second semester course provides training in the use of Medisoft software. Medisoft is designed specifically for medical offices and manages the scheduling of appointments, the creation of schedules, day sheets, and the administration of medical billing procedures. Pre-requisites for this course are first semester Medical Office Management course #1D6401.

PHARMACOLOGY II #1D6H01 15 hours .5 credits
This course is a continuation of Pharmacology I. The second semester covers commonly used medications and an introduction to intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular vaccines and medications

MA LABORATORY TECHNIQUES II #1D6J01 113 hours 3.75 credits
In the second semester of Laboratory Techniques, the function of blood, its components and disorders and diagnostic tests involving blood specimens, venipuncture, and other procedures used in the medical office. This laboratory experience builds on the skills obtained in the first semester and further exposes the medical assistant student to skills and procedures such as EKG, medication administration, CPR, the EMR (Electronic Medical Record). Laboratory assignments are coordinated with topics discussed in Medical Assisting Theory II (1D6B01).

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION #1D6K01 15 hours .5 credits
During this course students will develop the skills required to successfully interpret and transcribe dictation by physicians and other healthcare professionals into comprehensive healthcare records. This is a second semester course. Prerequisites of this course are first semester courses; Computer Applications For Medical Office I #1D6501, and Medical Terminology 1D6101.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION II #1D6L01 15 hours .5 credits
This course prepares students to enter their new career. They will develop resumes, cover letters, thank you letters, references, and create a professional portfolio. Topics will include the job search and interview preparation

MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT #1D6401 38 hours 1.25 credits
See semester 1 description

COMPUTER EXPLORATION #1D6901 38 hours 1.25 credits
See semester 1 description

CLINICAL EXTERNSHIP #1D6M01 240 hours 8.0 credits
After successfully completing all academic courses in the Medical Assistant Program, the student is placed in a physician’s office or other medical facility. The approximate hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m., four days per week. Student’s weekly hours are determined in conjunction with the extern facility’s needs and schedule.

The student is exposed to the administrative and clinical aspects of the medical office, providing exposure and hands-on training in a variety of circumstances. The length of time for each phase depends on the student’s comprehension and ability as determined by a preceptor assigned to the student. A minimum of 160 hours of experience is needed to be in compliance for the CAAHEP requirement and to graduate from the program.

Medical Assisting Program Plan:

Medical Assisting Course Descriptions

Semester I

Semester II