Definition & Purpose

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians,podiatrists,chiropractors,and other health practitioners running smoothly.

Medical assistants update and file patients medical records,fill out insurance forms,and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services.They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings,such as answering telephones, greeting patients,handling correspondence,scheduling appointments,and handling billing and bookkeeping.

For clinical medical assistants,duties vary according to what is allowed by State law.Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients,preparing patients for examinations,and assisting physicians during examinations.Medica assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises,dispose of contaminated supplies,and sterilize medical instruments.They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.

Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.

Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties.

Career Outlook

Employment opportunities for Medical Assistant are expected to be excellent in the years to come.There is an expected growth by 31% between 2010 – 2020 in the field of Medical Assistant, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Please visit www.bls.gov to find out more information about the Medical Assistant program.

Course Objective

The objective of Medical Assistant program is to prepare a competent Medical Assistant with knowledge and skills required to work in wide variety of settings, such as, physician offices, Clinics and Hospitals. The course will also educate student’s professionalism, integrity and High Ethical Standards.Upon successful completion and passing the course with 76% score or higher and maintaining an overall attendance of 91.5%, student will receive Diploma in Medical Assisting.

Course Description

Medical Assistant is a 10-month program leading to a Diploma in Medical Assiting. The program
prepares students to be multi-skilled allied health professionals, specifically trained to perform in
ambulatory settings, such as physician’s offices, clinics and group practices and perform administrative
and clinical procedures.

The program prepares students for certification through NHA (National Health career Association).The
certification exam is Certified Clinical Medical Assistant(CCMA).

Course Outline

Medical Terminology and Vocabulary

Introduction to Medical terms
Basic Word Structure
Analyze, Pronounce and spell medical terms
Suffixes, prefixes and word root
Diagnostics and procedural suffixes and prefixes
Medical Terminology as written in case report.

Anatomy and Physiology

Human Body in Health and Disease
Organ System of the Human Body.

Medical Law and Ethics

To provide knowledge of Medical Law and ethics so the patient is treated with understanding, sensitivity and compassion. Maintain confidentiality of patients and their medical records.

Administrative Medical Office Procedures

Provide knowledge of office environment and patient reception, setting up patient files, scheduling patients and transcribing. Students will use and learn the importance of electronic medical records (EMR), HIPPA compliance.

Medical insurance and Coding

This course will teach aspects of the insurance industry relative to the medical office. Billing, collections, fees. Insurance coding (CPT and ICD – 9 coding)

Medical Office Laboratory Procedures

The student will learn about work with laboratory tasks routinely performed in the medical facility. Collection and handling of specimens for testing, both at the facility and at an outside laboratory are covered. Microbiological principles along with hematology including venipuncture will be covered.

Pharmacology for Medical Assistants

This course covers drugs, side effects, actions, contraindications, routes of administration and other factual data about the drugs. There will also be emphasis on correctly spelling and enunciating the drug names.

Clinical Procedures I – Infection control, Vital Signs, Emergencies and First Aid

This course will furnish the student with the both theory and practical applications of medical assisting basics, including infection control; taking a temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure; assisting with medical specialties visual and auditory acuity; assisting with examinations of the eye and ear; learning about S-ray procedures and safety precautions relating to the procedures. Perform First aid and CPR.

Clinical Procedures II – EKG and Phlebotomy

Perform electrocardiography; obtain a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram using a single Channel Electrocardiograph.

Obtain a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) using a Three Channel Electrocardiograph performs urinalysis, perform hematology testing, perform venipuncture, perform capillary puncture

Medical Assisting Externship

The externship is required for all students and must be completed to be eligible for graduation and to receive their diploma. To qualify for the externship phase of the program, a student must first have met the required 84% passing score. The student must have an overall attendance of 90% in the program. The student will perform all duties and activities under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel at the site. Verve College currently has externship site agreements in place and continues to add more affiliates. Externs are not entitled to any compensation.

Certification

Verve College prepares students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) through National Health Career Association (NHA). The cost of tuition includes only 1 attempt at the CCMA certification Exam with NHA

Class Schedule

Tuition: $13,495
Registration Fee: $150.00 (Non-refundable)
Application fee: $75.00 (Non-refundable)

Financial Aid is available for those who qualify

Hours:750 Clock hours – 10 months approximately