Medical Assistant
The course prepares the graduate for entry-level positions in the medical field as Medical Assistants, front and back office, and other closely related direct care settings such as hospice care, home health services, and restorative care. Throughout the course, participants receive instruction in a wide variety of medical procedures through lecture, laboratory demonstration, and hands-on experience.
Medical Assistant students are trained to perform basic medical procedures, including taking vital signs, administering injections and venipuncture, performing routine laboratory work, ECG configuration, and CPR. The students will also receive training as receptionists in a medical environment, medical records (EHR clinic), customer service/communications skills, nutrition, cultural awareness, infection control, dementia and hospice care, terminology, and ethical issues in the medical field. Great emphasis is placed on safety procedures protecting both the technician and the patient. Students will also be trained to properly record and handle patient information, prepare patient files for billing and collections, and more. Graduates will be able to work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, labs, outpatient clinics, chiropractic offices, acupuncture offices, physical therapy clinics, hospice care, assisted living communities, and in a one-on-one home care setting.
Graduates who meet all requirements are awarded a Diploma.
The units listed below are each 24 clock hours in length.
Course Subjects
Medical Terminology — Students learn the meaning of commonly used terminology in clinical settings, thus developing the ability to learn and understand medical terms.
Office Procedures/HIPAA — Students learn the different filing systems used in the medical field, methods of documenting patient visits, and various aspects of proper documentation. Students will learn the basic rules of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).
Law and Ethics — Students learn about government legislation and regulations, federal and state guidelines for releasing medical information, the Patient Bill of Rights, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and ethical standards.
Microbiology — The course delivers basic knowledge of categories of different disease-causing microorganisms and human defense mechanisms against microbial infections (immunology).
Cybersecurity I — Students will be introduced to the topic of cybersecurity. The module begins by examining why it is difficult to protect electronic devices. It then describes cybersecurity in more detail and explores why it is important. The module also looks at who is behind cyberattacks and concludes by examining the steps necessary for building a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Students will receive an introduction to the principles of Generative AI, hallucinations, weak prompts, key information that leads to writing better prompts, and how to write prompts that contain the proper information, directions, and output definitions needed to generate desired responses. Students will gain hands-on experience using Generative AI with EarnBetter.
Anatomy I — This module incorporates the fundamentals of body mechanics and restorative care. An overview of the musculoskeletal system will be reviewed, and various procedures will be practiced during the skills lab to reinforce proper handling of patients in various situations.
Anatomy II — This module continues instruction in body mechanics and restorative care. Principles of body mechanics during positioning and transfers will be emphasized to help ensure safety for both the provider and patient.
Patient Care Coordinator — This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required to effectively coordinate patient care, support healthcare teams, and help ensure patients receive timely, compassionate, and well-organized services throughout their healthcare journey. The course prepares learners to serve as vital liaisons between patients, families, providers, and insurers, while promoting patient advocacy, communication, and continuity of care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Physical Examination — Students become familiarized with the tools used in the exam room and the protocol that is followed. Students also learn how to prepare a patient based on the type of examination to be performed, assist the doctor during physical examinations, prepare the patient, gather medical history, take vital signs, and follow examination protocol.
Dermatology and Gastroenterology (Nutrition) — Students will learn the importance of dermal integrity. They will have an overall understanding of pressure ulcers as one of the most common problems for bedridden or partially immobile patients. Students will be able to identify common pressure points to prevent ulcers from developing in patients. Follow-up treatment at home for these will also be addressed. Procedures for bathing, oral hygiene, and grooming will be practiced in the skills lab.
They will also learn the importance of nutrition and be taught an overview of the digestive system and information that will equip them to meet their patient’s or client’s nutritional goals and restrictions. Special diets, proper eating habits, caloric understanding, and common problems of the digestive system are explored. Proper feeding technique will be practiced hands-on.
Hematology/Venipuncture/Dermatology — How blood labs are performed and the responsibilities of the medical assistant. How blood cells are used in diagnosing diseases. Drawing blood. Understanding disorders of the Integumentary system (skin), diagnostic procedures, bandaging.
Urology/Urinalysis/Elimination/Incontinence — Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system; diagnostic uses of urinalysis. Problems relating to elimination, such as hemorrhoids, will also be covered. Incontinence will be addressed through procedures carried out through hands-on practice.
Pharmacology — History and background leading to drug sources, names and regulations; mathematical calculations in drug administration; generic/trade names; drug interactions; recognizing drug emergencies.
Orthopedics/Diagnostics, Body Mechanics, Musculoskeletal System — Diagnostic tests and procedures, common disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and disorders of upper/lower extremities.
OB/GYN & Male Reproduction/Maternal Care — Parts and functions of the male and female reproductive system; assisting the doctor in examination. Post-baby delivery care for the mother.
Career Development — This course is designed to prepare students for the workforce in the field of study. Students are taught skills that are necessary to prepare them for the job search process. Through various exercises and the use of electronic and traditional media, students are taught how to develop career goals. They are also challenged to realize their potential in their chosen fields and how to use this knowledge in the job-hunting process. Students are required to write a resume, cover letter, job application, and other related assignments, and to practice interview techniques. Students will polish their resumes with action verbs, tailor them to specific job advertisements, create a portfolio, and research companies in the field of training. They will practice applying for positions online, scheduling interviews, and conducting follow-ups.
ECG Configuration and Holter Stress Test — Introducing the ECG environment and ECG machine.
Customer Service/Communications — Students will learn to identify the principles of good customer service skills in a health care facility and home setting and how to communicate with sensitivity and empathy.
CPR — Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This module follows the guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association. Students who pass CPR will be awarded certification.
Receptionist and Medical Billing I — Students will learn real-world work skills in answering telephones, taking messages, routing and screening calls, greeting visitors, and handling in-company mail and packages. Students will gain knowledge of the basic fundamentals of medical billing.
Electronic Health Records Clinic I (EHR) — Students will learn the complete process of managing electronic health information, from patient registration to medical claim processing. They will use EHR Clinic to practice registering new patients, scheduling appointments, collecting and editing demographic and insurance data, and understanding patient check-in procedures. The course also covers laws, regulations, and standards governing electronic health records, the role of administrative data, and the use of health information in Accountable Care Organizations.
Electronic Health Records Clinic II (EHR) — In this course, students will learn to document and manage clinical and administrative data using EHR Clinic. They will practice recording SOAP notes and explore tools like dictation, transcription, speech recognition, and computerized physician order entry (CPOE). The course emphasizes accurate documentation, managing patient accounts, understanding superbills, applying procedures to manage accounts receivable in EHR Clinic, and the importance of compliance plans, problem lists, and Accountable Care Organizations in healthcare.
Electronic Health Records Clinic III (EHR) — Students will learn to evaluate and use electronic health record (EHR) systems with a focus on HIPAA compliance, data security, and integrity. They will apply procedures to manage access to sensitive records, use internal communication tools, and import documents using scanning technology. The course also covers task management, decision support, generating system reports, and understanding the role of registries in healthcare.
Emergency Procedures — Recognizing emergencies; commonly accepted protocols and emergency procedures. Students will learn the symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases, personality changes in patients/clients, responses to challenging behavior, and community support systems. Students will be educated on the importance of caring for a patient who is terminally ill and approaching death. The components of the stages of grief, religious and cultural influences that surround these situations will be discussed. The hospice program will be introduced.
Asepsis/ Surgeries & Blood Borne Pathogens. Infection control — Disinfection and sanitation of the surgical room, clinical environments, and home environments.
Geriatrics — Recognizing medical compliance in the older adult, mental health, coping with aging, long-term care, older adult abuse, medication, systemic changes, and diseases of the older adult. Students will learn to apply a transfer or gait belt, “dangling” clients, turning clients in beds and chairs, moving clients using a lift sheet, log rolling a client, positioning a client in a supine, lateral/side-lying position or Fowler’s position, assisting the client from bed/toilet to wheelchair and vice versa, transfer with pivot disc or mechanical lift, sliding board transfer, caring for casts, dressing and undressing a client, performing active and passive range of motion exercises, and assisting clients to walk with crutches, walkers, or canes.
Pediatrics — This module deals with child development from infancy to adolescence.
Healthcare Insurance — Types of health insurance; health insurance basics and reporting.
Basic Financial Principles — This course is designed to help students build a strong foundation in personal finance by covering essential topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit management, and the time value of money. Through classroom instruction and practical exercises, students will make informed financial decisions, understand the impact of economic factors, and develop habits that contribute to long-term financial success.