Medical Assisting

This introductory course for the medical assisting certificate is designed to bring together a learning community of students to explore the role of the professional medical assistant, the health care team, the history of the profession, credentialing requirements. They will learn to obtain patient histories, vital signs, principles of infection control, etc. Prior to admission to this course the student must attend an information session within one calendar year of admission to the program.

This seven-credit course is designed to teach basic medical assisting clinical skills and provide practical experience in a clinical setting to complement the clinical and office skills required by the credentialing agency (Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs- CAAHEP). The course is divided into lecture, laboratory practice, clinical practicum, and seminar.

This course prepares students to perform the administrative functions of a medical assistant. Course topics include the following: an overview of the healthcare industry, client/patient relations and communication, health information management, medical practice management, and professional workplace behavior. Students acquire skills in a medical office software package, meet CAAHEP/MAERB required administrative competencies, and explore ethical/legal issues in modern medicine.