Health Services

To prepare students to communicate effectively with others in a healthcare setting

• Students will communicate and interact effectively with instructors and peers in a classroom setting.
• Students will interact with clients in accordance with agency requirements.
• Students will effectively communicate with other agencies to manage treatment regimens.

To prepare graduates to obtain employment related to medical assisting

• Graduates will obtain employment in the medical assisting field.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to perform the required skills for employment in medical assisting.
• Employers are satisfied with the skills of program graduates.
• Graduates are satisfied with the skills obtained in the Medical Assistant program.

To prepare graduates to successfully matriculate into MVCC´s AAS degree in Medical Assisting or comparable program.

• Graduates of the program matriculate with advanced standing into an AAS degree in Medical Assisting or comparable program.
• Graduates will be satisfied with the transfer process to an AAS degree in Medical Assisting program.

To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

• Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
• Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

This course is designed to introduce the beginning Medical Assistant to the field. It will broaden the students' knowledge of the medical field by defining medical assisting and covering such topics as: ethics and law, public relations, telephone techniques, receptionist duties, patient relations, medical records, filing, bookkeeping, insurance forms, banking, collection and payroll. Prerequisite: OT111 Keyboarding-Basic or its equivalent. Corequisite: CS239 Computer Readiness/Health Services.

This course introduces the structure, organization, and functioning of the human organism. It provides an overview of most of the systems of the body. Common diseases and injuries are described. This course does not meet graduation requirements for science, health science, or health-related majors.

This course concentrates on spelling, pronunciation, and the meaning of medical word components, common terms used in selected body systems, and medical abbreviations.

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

This course is designed to introduce prospective students to the general field of health care and would be an appropriate course for nursing, respiratory care, medical assisting and health information technology students as well as others interested in the health care field. Topics to be discussed include: an introduction to the health care delivery system, a brief historical overview of how health care has evolved in the U.S., the various health care settings/programs, the members of the health care delivery team, the roles of the various health care professionals, legal and professional ethics (such topics as patients' rights, confidentiality, advance directives, etc.), health care organizations and agencies, medical record content, risk management, continuous quality improvement, epidemiology (morbidity and mortality), and interpersonal communication skills.

The course introduces ethical and transcultural issues encountered in healthcare. Examples of topics include value development, ethical theories and controversies, principles of confidentiality, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making.

This course teaches rescue breathing, CPR, two-rescuer CPR, and automatic external defibrillation (AED) skills. Students may complete certification from the American Heart Association BLS for healthcare providers.

This course introduces the clinical skills needed to assist the health care provider in a medical setting. Topics include aseptic techniques and infection control, obtaining the patients history and vital signs, sterilization procedures, recognition and use of surgical instruments, collecting and processing lab specimens, performing diagnostic tests, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, patient teaching, and coordinating patient care with other health care providers. Prerequisite: HC110 Medical Assistant Administrative Theory.

Actual clinical experience in physician's offices and various clinical settings to gain practical knowledge and theory learned. Prerequisite: HC110 Medical Assistant 1.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the legal aspects of health information. Emphasis is placed on civil law and how the various health care settings are affected by law and by nongovernmental rulemaking bodies. Some of the topics included are a review of the history of common law, the primary sources of law. Tort law (medical malpractice, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, fraud, etc.), the court system (both the civil and criminal processes), corporate liability, medical staff issues (delineation of clinical privileges, peer review, the fair-hearing process), consent to treatment (including withholding and refusal of), confidentiality, reporting obligations and patient's rights. Also discussed are the principles guiding the control, security and usage of health information. (Spring semester only)

Students gain information regarding the pharmacological, pathophysiological, therapeutic and diagnostic aspects of medicine. This course reviews basic concepts and medical word components for selected body systems and disorders frequently encountered in the health care setting will be reviewed. Discussions include pharmacological agents and the diagnostics test(s) utilized for selected disease processes; why a particular pharmacological intervention is selected, how its effectiveness is monitored using diagnostic interventions, and the value of particular laboratory tests. Prerequisites: MR103 Medical Terminology. (Spring semester only)

This externship allows students to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom and laboratory settings to the clinical aspects of being a Medical Assistant. It includes 180 hours over the course of the semester. Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification must be on file (in the Allied Health Coordinators office) prior to beginning the externship. Prerequisite: HC120 Medical Assistant Administrative Externship.

The student will be introduced to basic word processing, transcription using the dictaphone, computer-based management, preparing an office procedure manual, preparing agendas for staff meetings, setting office priorities, office correspondence/communications, and performance evaluations. Emphasis will be on the development of the role of manager of information and personnel, and use of available computer technology to provide structure.