Medical Assistant
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Course Introduction

 

Core Standards of the Course

STRAND 1
Students will successfully complete a clinical externship.

Standard 1
Complete a 160 hour minimum externship.

1. Have clinical site complete evaluation and return to instructor.
   
2. Discuss student externship evaluation with instructor.
   

Standard 2
Externship evaluations will indicate satisfactory or higher rating.

STRAND 2
Students will demonstrate professional attributes.

Standard 1
Demonstrate workplace skills.

Standard 2
Externship evaluations will indicate satisfactory or higher rating.

Workplace Skills

1. Positive attitude
   
2. Teamwork
   
3. Adapt to change
   
4. Communication skills
   
5. Professional appearance
   
6. Confidentiality (verbal and written correspondence)
   
7. Exhibit initiative
   
8. Cultural competency
   
9. Integrity
   
10. Discretion
    
11. Organize and prioritize
    
12. Continuing education
    
13. Critical thinking
    
14. Dependability
    
15. Accountability
    

STRAND 3
Students will accurately obtain the patient history and assist with the physical examination.

Standard 1
Demonstrate the ability to obtain an accurate patient history.

1. Chief complaint
   
2. Use of open-ended questions to obtain information
   
3. Pain scale
   
4. Document allergies
   
5. Relevant observations or information
   
6. Differentiate between subjective and objective information
   

Standard 2
Prepare the patient and the examination room.

1. Prepare and clean the examination room.
   
2. Assemble all necessary equipment and supplies.
   
3. Demonstrate patient positioning.
   
   • Supine
   • Prone
   • Lithotomy (pelvic exam)
   • Dorsal recumbent (abdominal exam)
   • Trendelenburg (shock)
   • Fowler's (respiratory)
   • Sims' (rectal)
4. Demonstrate draping techniques.
   
5. Assist the practitioner as necessary.
   
6. Disinfect the examination table and replace supplies.
   

Standard 3
Describe common procedures in medical specialties.

1. Sigmoidoscopy
   
2. Prostate exam
   
3. Pap test (smear)
   
4. Snellen eye chart (distance visual acuity)
   
5. Ishihara (color visual acuity)
   
6. Jaeger (near vision acuity)
   
7. Ear wax removal (irrigation)
   

Standard 4
Assist the patient with ambulatory devices

1. Assist patient from a wheelchair to an exam table and back to the wheelchair.
   
2. Instruct patient in using walkers, canes, and crutches.
   

STRAND 4
Students will discuss pharmacology principles and demonstrate accurate medication administration.

Standard 1
Classify common medications.

1. Antihypertensives
   
2. Antihistamines
   
3. Antidiuretics/Diuretics
   
4. Antitussives
   
5. Antidepressants
   
6. Antianxiety
   
7. Contraception
   
8. Antipyretics
   
9. Analgesics
   
10. Antibiotics
    
11. Laxatives
    
12. Antidiabetic/Hypoglycemic
    
13. Anticoagulants
    
14. Hormones
    
15. Anesthetics
    
16. Anti-inflammatories
    
17. Bronchodilators
    
18. Narcotics
    

Standard 2
Describe the schedule for controlled substances.

1. Schedule I-illegal, not prescribed
   
2. Schedule II-high potential for addiction and abuse
   
3. Schedule III-moderate to low potential for addiction and abuse
   
4. Schedule IV-lower potential for addiction and abuse
   
5. Schedule V-low potential for addiction and abuse
   

Standard 3
Demonstrate how to find medication information.

1. Physician's Desk Reference (PDR)
   
2. Nursing Drug Reference
   
3. Internet
   

Standard 4
Document medication administration.

1. Medication record
   
   • Medication
   • Dosage
   • Site
   • Patient reaction
2. Immunization record
   
   • Lot number
   • Expiration date
   • Site

Standard 5
Understand principles involved with prescription medication

1. Describe the necessary components of a valid prescription.
   
2. Compare and contrast prescription and over-the-counter medications.
   
3. Explain the appropriate procedure for calling or faxing a prescription.
   

Standard 6
Perform accurate dosage calculations.

1. Evaluate and simplify numerical expressions containing real numbers using the order of operations.
   
   • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
   • Fractions
   • Decimals
   • Ratios
   • Proportions
   • Metrics
   • Conversions
2. Compute solutions to problems and determine the reasonableness of an answer by relating them to the problem.
   

Standard 7
Identify the following "rights" of medication administration

1. Right patient
   
2. Right medication
   
3. Right time
   
4. Right route
   
5. Right dosage
   
6. Right technique
   
7. Right documentation
   

Standard 8
Demonstrate the procedures and describe the supplies for administering medications.

1. Oral, including buccal and sublingual
   
2. Transdermal (topical)
   
3. Intradermal
   
4. Subcutaneous
   
5. Intramuscular, including Z track method
   
6. Ear/Eye drops
   
7. Ointments
   
8. Inhalation
   
9. Epi-pen
   

Standard 9
Describe the side effects of medications.

1. Compare and contrast common side effects with adverse effects.
   
2. Recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock and describe its treatment.
   

STRAND 5
Students will apply effective interpersonal communication principles in a healthcare setting.

Standard 1
Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal communication.

1. Describe the importance of body language and gestures during communication.
   
2. Explain the importance of tone of voice, word choice, and silence during communication.
   
3. Identify the parts of a communication model.
   

Standard 2
Identify effective listening skills/habits.

1. Differentiate between active and passive listening.
   
2. Identify types of questions to elicit patient information.
   
   • Open ended questions
   • Restating
   • Reflecting
   • Clarification
   • Leading

Standard 3
Identify communication barriers.

1. Describe the following communication barriers:
   
   • Physical
   • Mental
   • Cultural
   • Maturity
   • Age
   • Stress
2. Describe the following defense mechanisms.
   
   • Repression
   • Regression
   • Rationalization
   • Sarcasm
   • Denial
   • Compensation
   • Projection
   • Displacement
   • Physical avoidance
   • Apathy

Standard 4
Contrast sympathy and empathy.

1. Describe appropriate body language to express empathy.
   
2. Demonstrate appropriate expressions of empathy.
   

Standard 5
Describe the steps of the grieving process.

1. Identify the psychological implications of disease to a patient.
   
2. Describe the five psychological stages of grieving.
   

STRAND 6
Students will demonstrate how to use the electrocardiograph machine.

Standard 1
Describe the electrical conduction system of the heart.

1. Identify the SA node, AV node, AV bundle, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.
   
2. Correlate the "PQRST" waves on an EKG (ECG) with the conduction system of the heart.
   

Standard 2
Prepare the patient for an EKG (ECG).

1. Demonstrate electrode placement for a 12 lead EKG (ECG).
   
2. Identify artifacts and describe ways to prevent them.
   
   • Somatic tremor
   • Wandering baseline
   • Current interference

Standard 3
Identify other tests used to determine heart function.

1. Holter monitor (24-48 hour)
   

Standard 2
Prepare the patient for an EKG (ECG).

1. Stress test
   
2. Event monitor (30 days)
   

STRAND 7
Students will perform bookkeeping and financial functions in a medical office setting.

Standard 1
Differentiate between accounts receivable and accounts payable.

1. Define bookkeeping terms.
   
   • Credit
   • Debit
   • Adjustment
   • Balance
   • Asset
   • Liability
   • Collections
2. Describe the following financial forms.
   
   • Bank deposit
   • Bank statement
   • Receipt
   • Petty cash
   • Day sheet

Standard 2
Discuss the difference between various methods of payment.

1. Differentiate between different types of checks.
   
   • Cashiers
   • Personal
   • Money order
   • Certified
   • Third party check (insurance company)
   • Electronic checks
2. Define terms associated with a checking account.
   
   • Payee
   • Payer
   • Endorsement
   • Describe differences between credit card and debit cards.
   • Discuss flexible spending accounts.

STRAND 8
Students will perform proper insurance, coding, and billing procedures.

Standard 1
Identify terms associated with medical insurance.

1. Define the following terms associated with medical billing.
   
   • Birthday rule
   • Preauthorization/Precertification
   • Premium
   • Copayment/Coinsurance
   • Deductible
   • Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
   • Fee Schedule
   • Assignment of Benefits
2. Define various insurance carriers.
   
   • HMO
   • PPO
   • Medicare
   • Medicaid
   • Fee for Service
   • Tricare
   • Workers Compensation
   • Affordable Care Act (ACA)
3. Explain the process to prepare a healthcare claim.
   

Standard 2
Explain how to determine procedural and diagnostic coding.

1. Define the following terms associated with medical coding.
   
   • CPT codes
   • ICD-10 codes
   • HCPCS codes
   • HCFA/CMS 1500 form
   • Understand legalities associated with coding and billing in a medical office including fraudulent claims.

Performance Skills
Benchmark 2-MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT

1. Oral communication
   
   • Demonstrate methods of receiving, placing and recording calls.
   • Answer the office telephone.
   • Receive, evaluate, and record a phone message.
   • Make referrals by phone, schedule appointments by phone.
2. Patient reception
   
   • Collation of patient records.
   • Opening the office and closing the office.
   • Greeting the patient, responding to the patient, escorting and instructing the patient.
3. Medical records
   
   • Demonstrate filing: alphabetically and numerically.
4. Office Finance:
   
   • Prepare a bank deposit.
   • Post a payment to a patient account.
   • Enter patient account information.
5. Insurance: Complete a CMS 1500 insurance claim form.
   

STRAND 9
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Digestive System.

Standard 1
Describe the functions of the digestive system.

1. Ingestion
   
2. Digestion
   
3. Absorption
   
4. Excretion
   

Standard 2
Identify the structures of the alimentary canal organs and their basic functions.

1. Mouth-chemical and mechanical digestion
   
2. Pharynx-passageway
   
3. Esophagus -passageway to stomach
   
4. Stomach-chemical and mechanical digestion
   
5. Small intestine-nutrient absorption
   
6. Large intestine-absorption of water, collects food residue for excretion
   

Standard 3
Identify the structures of the accessory organs and their basic functions.

1. Salivary Glands - produce saliva to breakdown food
   
2. Pancreas - release digestive enzymes in the small intestine
   
3. Liver - produces bile to breakdown fats
   
4. Gallbladder - storage of bile
   

Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the digestive system.

1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
   
2. Diverticulitis
   
3. Hemorrhoids
   
4. Celiac disease
   
5. Appendicitis
   
6. Hepatitis
   
7. Ulcers
   
8. Hernia
   
9. Colon cancer
   

STRAND 10
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Nervous System.

Standard 1
Describe the general functions of the nervous system.

1. Detects and interprets sensory information
   
2. Voluntary and involuntary integration of the stimulus
   
3. Response to stimulus (movement or secretion)
   

Standard 2
Differentiate between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

1. CNS
   
   • Brain
   • Spinal cord
2. PNS
   
   • Peripheral nerves
   • Sympathetic division
   • Parasympathetic division

Standard 3
Identify the structures of the nervous system and their major functions.

1. Brain
   
   • Cerebrum
   • Frontal lobe-personality, reason, speech
   • Parietal lobe-taste, skin sensations
   • Occipital lobe-sight
   • Temporal lobe-hearing, memory
   • Cerebellum-balance and coordination
   • Midbrain-relay station for impulses
   • Brainstem-heart rate and respirations
   • Medulla oblongata
   • Pons
   • Hypothalamus-control of endocrine functions, blood pressure, and temperature regulation
   • Pituitary gland-secretes many hormones
   • Spinal cord-reflex center, conduction of nerve impulses
2. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-shock absorption and provide nutrients to CNS
   
3. Meninges (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater)-protection of CNS
   
4. Neurons (sensory, motor, and interneuron)-nerves
   

Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the nervous system.

1. Alzheimer's disease
   
2. Meningitis
   
3. Headache
   
4. Epilepsy
   
5. Paralysis (Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia)
   
6. Herpes zoster
   
7. Multiple sclerosis
   
8. Sciatica
   

STRAND 11
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Endocrine System.

Standard 1
Describe the general functions of the endocrine system.

1. Regulates growth, development, and maturation.
   
2. Regulates chemical balance by the production of hormones.
   

Standard 2
Describe what a hormone is and how it works.

1. Chemicals secreted into the blood to have an effect on a target tissue
   
2. Produced by endocrine glands
   

Standard 3
Describe the major locations, secretions (hormones), and functions of the following glands:

1. Pituitary-growth hormone, ACTH, TSH, oxytocin
   
2. Thyroid-thyroxine
   
3. Pancreas-insulin
   
4. Adrenal-cortisol, adrenaline
   
5. Ovaries-estrogen, progesterone
   
6. Testes-testosterone
   

Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the endocrine system.

1. Diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2)
   
2. Hypothyroidism/Hyperthyroidism
   
3. Dwarfism/Gigantism
   

STRAND 12
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Urinary System

Standard 1
Describe the functions of the urinary system.

1. Excrete waste and water from the body
   
2. Regulate fluid balance and blood composition
   

Standard 2
Identify the structures of the urinary system and their major functions.

1. Kidneys-filter the blood and form urine
   
2. Ureters-passageway for urine from the kidneys to the bladder
   
3. Bladder-temporary storage of urine
   
4. Urethra-passageway of urine to the outside of the body
   

Standard 3
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the urinary system.

1. Kidney stones
   
2. Cystitis/UTI
   
3. Pyelonephritis
   
4. Incontinence
   
5. Renal failure
   

STRAND 13
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Reproductive System.

Standard 1
Describe the functions of the reproductive system.

1. Production of gametes (egg and sperm) by the gonads
   
2. Produces hormones to help in the maturation process
   

Standard 2
Identify the structures of the female reproductive system and their major functions.

1. Breasts-lactation
   
2. Ovaries-production of eggs, estrogen, and progesterone
   
3. Uterine tubes-site of fertilization, passage between ovaries and uterus
   
4. Uterus-nourishment and protection of the fetus
   
   • Cervix
   • Endometrium
5. Vagina-birth canal, exit for menstrual flow
   

Standard 3
Identify the structures of the male reproductive system and their major functions.

1. Penis-protects the urethra
   
2. Testes-production of testosterone and sperm
   
3. Scrotum-muscular sac containing the testicles
   
4. Epididymis-storage and maturation of sperm
   
5. Vas deferens-passageway of semen from the testicles meeting connection with the urethra
   
6. Prostate gland-secretes fluids for sperm motility
   
7. Urethra-passageway for urine and semen
   

Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the reproductive system.

1. Female
   
   • Ovarian cyst
   • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
   • Menopause
   • Cancer
   • Cervical cancer
   • Ovarian cancer
   • Breast cancer
2. Male
   
   • Endometriosis
   • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
   • Inflammatory Disease (PID)
   • Cancer
   • Prostate cancer
   • Testicular cancer
   • Epididymitis
   • Prostatitis
   • Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
3. Review the following self-examinations:
   
   • Breast self-exam (BSE)
   • Testicular self-exam (TSE)

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