Clinical Medical Assistant and Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Program with Externship

Overview

This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, taking and documenting vital signs, technical aspects of phlebotomy, the 12-lead EKG and the cardiac life cycle.

Clinical Medical Assisting Detailed Course Information

This program covers the following key areas and topics:

• Responsibilities of the clinical medical assistant and introduction to healthcare facilities
• Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, circulation of the heart and blood vessels
• Care & safety of patients, medical & legal aspects of care, confidentiality and HIPAA
• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal skills and human behavior
• Aseptic techniques, infection prevention, universal precautions, proper use and disposal of biohazards and sharps
• Documenting patient medical histories, updating patient medical files, vital signs and documentation
• Applying sterile dressings, preparing patients for x-rays, performing various injections, administering oral medications, instructing patients on the proper usage of medications
• Phlebotomy, venipunctures and capillary sampling, collecting specimens and point of care testing
• Performing 12 lead EKGs and EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave form)
• Role of the EKG technician
• Function of the EKG department in a variety of settings (hospital, clinic, office, mobile service)
• Medical terminology related to electrocardiography
• Care and safety of patients including medical and legal aspects of patient care
• Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
• Electrophysiology, the conduction system of the heart, and the cardiac cycle
• Circulation of blood through the heart and vessels
• Lead placement for 12-lead electrocardiography
• Basic EKG interpretation of normal rhythms and arrhythmias
• EKG troubleshooting including recognizing artifacts
• Waves and measurements
• EKG strip analysis (P,Q,R,S,T wave-form interpretation)
• Identification of rhythms using the 12-lead EKG
• Pacemakers
• Holter monitoring and the echocardiogram
• The history of Phlebotomy and the roles and responsibilities of a Phlebotomy Technician
• Laboratory operations (e.g. safety, quality control,), quality assurance , laboratory law, ethics and regulatory issues
• Anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system and anatomy of the hand, leg & foot – including arteries and veins
• Universal precautions – safety protocols, infection control and medical asepsis
• Specimen collection, processing, handling, documentation and transportation
• Venipuntcures and skin puncture practice, syringe practice, heel puncture, protocol, syringe draws, etc

Medical Administrative Assistant Detailed Course Information:

• An overview of the healthcare industry and expectations for a healthcare professional
• Role of the medical administrative assistant
• History of medicine, medicine and the law, medical malpractice, medical ethics, and medical practice specialties
• Patient communication techniques, appointment scheduling and general office duties
• Basic terminology used in the medical office
• Medical records management, confidentiality of the medical record, initiating a medical record for new client and filing reports in the medical record
• HIPAA review and patient bill of rights and confidentiality, ethics and legal issues
• Financial practice management, health insurance & billing and coding procedures
• Professional fees, billing & collecting procedures, accounting systems
• Medical accounting, financial statements, cost analysis, budgets for the medical practice
• Specimen collection, laboratory safety and federal and state regulations
• Assisting with medical emergencies