This course focuses on knowledge necessary to perform clinical competencies as a medical assistant. The clinical aspects of medical assisting are focused on compiling patients’ medical histories, acquiring patient’s vital signs, recording them, and attaining the ability to discern when a healthcare provider needs to be notified regarding a potential or apparent medical issue. Emphasis is placed on administering medications under the direction of a supervising physician/healthcare provider. Content also includes assisting with general and specialty exams, assisting with pediatric and geriatric patients, collecting lab specimens, and educating patients regarding disease process, medication needs, diagnostic procedures, and nutrition. Attention is placed on the general principles of physical therapy and cryotherapy as well as thermotherapy. The content includes performing sterile procedures, first aid, and ECG’s. Cultural diversity as well as the importance of following HIPAA guidelines are analyzed.
Prerequisites
HCE 100 or NUR 100 or instructor approval with a valid/active LNA or CNA license; HCE 116; HCE 130; HCE 171; HCE 186; and HCE 190. Concurrent enrollment in HCE 100, NUR 100, HCE 171; HCE 186, and HCE 190 are accepted. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Describe medical asepsis, disease, and infection control.
- Demonstrate taking medical history, measurements of vital signs, basic physical examination, and assisting with minor surgery.
- Identify rehabilitation medicine and nutrition in health and disease.
- Outline basic pharmacology, dosage calculation, and medication administration.
- Describe basic diagnostic procedures.
- Demonstrate proficiency in performing laboratory procedures.