Medical Assisting Technology Certificate

Dawn Bell, AAS, CMA (AAMA), AHI, Interim Coordinator
Phone: 419-995-8836
Email: bell.d@rhodesstate.edu
Office: TL 105B

The Medical Assisting certificate prepares students as a multi-skilled healthcare professional who is qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures within an outpatient health care environment. Medical assistants are the only Allied Health profession that are trained in both administrative and clinical skills.

Duties may include:
As a medical assistant, you will be the health care provider's assistant, increasing productivity in the workplace and improving patient outcomes. Medical assistants are essential members of the health care team that work closely with providers in the offices in handling patient care.

Clinical Duties:
• Take medical histories
• Measure and record patients' vital signs
• Prepare patients for examination, and explain treatment procedures to patients
• Assist the medical professional during exams and minor office surgeries
• Collect and prepare laboratory specimens, like drawing blood
• Perform basic laboratory tests
• Instruct patients about medications and special diets
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by a medical professional
• Authorize prescription refills as directed
• Remove sutures and change dressings
• In the state of Ohio, the medical assistant may also perform clinical duties as directed by a certified nurse practitioner and a physician assistant.

Administrative Duties:
• Use clinical and computer applications
• Answer telephones, greet patients and schedule appointments
• Update and file patient medical records, typically in an electronic health record
• Apply medical codes to services and diagnoses
• Facilitate submission of insurance forms
• Arrange for hospital admissions, surgeries, imaging, and laboratory services
• Handle correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping
• Purchase supplies and maintain administrative and clinical equipment

With advanced skills, education and/or experience, medical assistants may:
• Advance to office manager with supervisory functions
• Oversee compliance with federal, state and regulatory agencies
• Establish & utilize computer information systems, creating spreadsheets and databases
• Be responsible for the overall financial management of the office

The U. S. Department of Labor predicts that the employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 18.0 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations as the health services industry expands due to technological advances in medicine, and a growing and aging population. Employment growth is driven by the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need personnel who are cross-trained and can provide considerable flexibility to the physician office. Medical assistants primarily work in outpatient settings with good hours. This allows for a better balance in life between work, family and personal life. Because of Rhodes State
accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Rhodes State students are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Mission Statement

The goal of the Medical Assisting program is to prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to perform medical office administrative skills including the utilization of the electronic health record.
Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical and laboratory duties associated with assisting a provider in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
Demonstrate professional behaviors and attitudes consistent with the delivery of safe, ethical, legal and compassionate patient care.
Communicate and collaborate professionally and effectively with patients, healthcare team, and third-party providers in diverse environments.

First Year
Summer		Hours
BIO 1000 or BIO 1110	Basic Human Structure and Function or Anatomy and Physiology I	3-4
BHS 1390	Medical Terminology	2
COM 1110	English Composition	3
MAT 1100	Introduction to Medical Assisting	3
MAT 1200	Clinical Medical Assisting I	4
	Term Hours	15-16
Fall
BHS 1160	Medical Law-Ethics Healthcare	2
MAT 1300	Medical Office Procedures I	3
MAT 1400	Clinical Medical Assisting II	6
MAT 2410	Medical Office Coding	4
	Term Hours	15
Spring
MAT 2320	Medical Office Procedures II	2
MAT 2310	Healthcare Reimbursement	3
MAT 2510	Medical Assisting Clinical (Practicum)	2
MAT 2520 	Capstone for Medical Assisting	2
	Term Hours	9
	Total Hours	39-40



Capstone

MAT 1100 — Introduction to Medical Assisting

Credit Hours: 3.00 Total Contact Hours: 4.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00 Lab Hours: 2.00

Introduces the health care delivery system and the role of the medical assistant and scope of practice in a variety of health-care environments with an emphasis on communication, legal implications, ethical considerations and infection control fundamentals in the exam and treatment areas. Investigation and exploration of medical records including the introduction of electronic health records (EHR). The student will describe the impact personal ethics and morals have on the delivery of healthcare to diverse individuals. 'C' grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program
Corequisites: BHS 1390, BIO 1000 or BIO 1110, MAT 1200.

MAT 1200 — Clinical Medical Assisting I

Credit Hours: 4.00 Total Contact Hours: 6.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00 Lab Hours: 4.00

Demonstrates knowledge of the techniques employed by the medical assistant during a general physical examination, taking and recording vital signs, proper chart documentation, practicing and applying medical and surgical asepsis and infection control. An introduction to diagnostic laboratory procedures performed in the physician's office laboratory and medical laboratory science. Principles of laboratory procedures will be studied by observation, discussion and practice in the laboratory sessions. Emphasis on collection, proper handling, including blood and body fluid restrictions, basic hematology procedures, routine urinalysis, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment- waived laboratory testing, capillary puncture and venipuncture for competency. Office safety and emergency preparedness for the medical assistant will be covered and participation in a mock exposure event. 'C' grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program
Corequisites: BHS 1390, BIO 1000 or BIO 1110, MAT 1100.

MAT 1300 — Medical Office Procedures I

Credit Hours: 3.00 Total Contact Hours: 4.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00 Lab Hours: 2.00

Introduces the theory and practice of administrative skills used in the medical office. Topics included are receiving patients in the office, appointment management, telephone techniques, records management, filing procedures, office brochures, office inventory, patient coaching, patient navigation, processing mail and correspondence in the medical office and composing professional/business letters.
Prerequisites: MAT 1100, MAT 1200.

MAT 1400 — Clinical Medical Assisting II

Credit Hours: 6.00 Total Contact Hours: 9.00 Lecture Hours: 3.00 Lab Hours: 6.00

Investigates numerous clinical exam room procedures. Classroom and lab instruction on outpatient specialty procedures employed in a general medical examination including assisting with minor office surgery, instrument identification and specialty exams associated with all body systems, performing EKG and pulmonary function testing. Understanding and assessing the differences in working with pediatrics, geriatrics, female/male systems and assisting the physicians in exams with each of these. Also covered in this course will be the theories and principles of pharmacology, dosage calculations and medical administration within the medical assistant's scope of practice. Clinical procedures in each of these areas will be practiced and evaluated in the campus lab. 'C' grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: MAT 1100, MAT 1200.

MAT 1990 — Independent Study in MAT

Credit Hours: 0.00 Total Contact Hours: 0.00

Guides exploration of an independent study designed to provide the medical assisting student with the opportunity for in-depth work on a selected topic, within the field of medical assisting for which the student was unable to pursue to the desired degree of depth in regular course offerings. Medical Assisting students will have several options to complete this course including observation of skills, research papers and skill development. During the first week of the semester, the student will meet with the Chairperson and submit in writing the proposed topic of study he/she wishes to pursue and the methods of pursuit that will be used. A faculty member will be assigned to the student for support throughout the project. No more than 3 credit hours of independent study will count toward graduation. This course is graded S/U.
Prerequisites: MAT-1020.

MAT 2310 — Healthcare Reimbursement

Credit Hours: 3.00 Total Contact Hours: 4.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00 Lab Hours: 2.00

Examines the basic types of medical insurance available in today's healthcare environment. It acquaints students with billing formats, claim form processing, and the necessary skills to master basic aspects of medical insurance billing and adjudication. Current reimbursement methodologies and compliance will also be covered. This course covers both outpatient physician and inpatient/outpatient hospital situations. Recommended that students have Medical Coding experience. "C" grade policy applies.

MAT 2320 — Medical Office Procedures II

Credit Hours: 2.00 Total Contact Hours: 3.00 Lecture Hours: 1.00 Lab Hours: 2.00

Continues the theory and practice of administrative skills of the medical office. Topics include management of the medical office, analyzing health information for clinical practice, patient navigation, basic medical practice of finances including accounts payable/receivable, banking and collection procedures in manual and computerized formats. Preparation for medical assistant practicum and employment. 'C' grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: MAT 1300, MAT 1400.

MAT 2410 — Medical Office Coding

Credit Hours: 4.00 Total Contact Hours: 4.00 Lecture Hours: 4.00

Introduces medical coding for the entry-level professional with emphasis on theory and development of skills required to code outpatient and ambulatory services coding for physical reporting requirements. Introduction to the basic principles and fundamentals of the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision classification system, as well as the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision classification system. Introduction to the basic principles and fundamentals of the Physician's Current Procedure Terminology coding nomenclature. The student should have sufficient background in medical terminology and anatomy/physiology to provide a solid foundation for coding knowledge. This may be acquired through course work or workplace experience. "C" grade policy applies.

MAT 2420 — Medical Coding - Advanced

Credit Hours: 2.00 Total Contact Hours: 2.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00

Applies the principles of procedural and diagnostic coding theories. Students should have completed MAT 2410 successfully or have a minimum of two years full time documented coding experience in the healthcare setting. This course is designed to serve as a review course for Certified Procedural Coding examinations. College credit from this course may be utilized as continuing education for many health professions. "C" grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: MAT 2410.

MAT 2430 — Electronic Health Records and Procedures

Credit Hours: 3.00 Total Contact Hours: 3.00 Lecture Hours: 3.00

Develops skills in building and posting to patient files, making and canceling appointments, entering and printing hospital rounds and reports, patient and insurance billing, posting payments and adjustments and generating aging reports using computer-based medical office software. This course is also designed to introduce students to the electronic health record (EHR) through practical applications and guided exercises. Students will have a working knowledge of the history, theory, benefits, and skills of EHR through guided and critical thinking exercises. 'C' grade policy applies.
Corequisites: BHS 1390, BIO 1000 or BIO 1110.

MAT 2510 — Medical Assisting Clinical (Practicum)

Credit Hours: 2.00 Total Contact Hours: 10.00 Clinical/Other Hours: 10.00

Provides participation in a 160 hour non-reimbursed, on-the-job, supervised clinical (practicum) in an ambulatory healthcare medical facility. This class enables the student to apply all of the classroom training to an actual work situation and is an integral part of the Medical Assistant Program. The student will observe, assist and demonstrate administrative, general and clinical skills in the office. All required courses must have been successfully completed or must be taken concurrently. If any required courses being taken concurrently are dropped, the clinical (practicum) may be terminated also. "C" grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: MAT 1300, MAT 1400
Corequisites: MAT 2320, MAT 2520.

MAT 2520 — Capstone for Medical Assisting 

Credit Hours: 2.00 Total Contact Hours: 2.00 Lecture Hours: 2.00

Provides assessment of medical assisting knowledge presented in a capstone experience. Students will demonstrate their proficiency by integrating technical knowledge with core skills and abilities. Through discussion boards, roundtable discussions, psychomotor demonstrations and various other learning modalities, the student will demonstrate their core skills and abilities that have reinforced throughout the program. All required courses must have been successfully completed or must be taken concurrently. 'C' grade policy applies.
Prerequisites: MAT 1300, MAT 1400
Corequisites: MAT 2320, MAT 2510.