Medical Assisting

MAST 1101 – Introduction to Medical Assisting & Procedures

3 credits | Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Medical Assistant Technology program | Corequisite: MAST 1111 and MAST 1115

This course presents introductory level procedures for assisting the physician with patient/client examination. Instruction includes an introduction to medical assisting, certification requirements, orientation to the laboratory, and progresses through theory and techniques utilized by the medical assistant. Content includes communication skills, infection control, aseptic technique, and progresses to office procedures, room preparation, patient/client assessment and education, nutrition, inventory, and equipment maintenance. Competency examination for patient/client history, biohazardous spill, contaminated glove removal, handwashing, vital signs, positioning and draping, and specialty examinations are included.

MAST 1111 – Medical Administrative Procedures

3 credits | Prerequisite: Acceptance in Medical Assisting program | Corequisite: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1115, MAST 2218, and MAST 2240

This course is designed to introduce the student to administrative and general duties found in a medical office, and includes appointment scheduling, records management, electronic health records, written communications, preparation of medical records, ICD-10-CM and CPT medical coding, health insurance, billing and collections, transcription of letters and medical reports, and telephone procedures. Office simulations and administrative competency based examinations are included.

MAST 1115 – Medical Terminology

2 credits

This course is designed for the health science student and includes the principles of building a medical vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on the use of word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and root words used with a combining form to establish medical terms. The course provides an overview of body systems, their anatomy and physiology, diseases, conditions, current medical and diagnostic procedures, treatments, and pharmaceutical agents, used in conjunction with terminology. Authentic medical records with activities to enhance the application of medical terminology to the "real world of medicine" are included. Correct spelling, definition, and pronunciation of medical terms is stressed. Communication both written and verbally between health care professionals, and between the health professional and patient, is emphasized.

MAST 1118 – Human Diseases

2 credits | Prerequisites: MAST 1115

This course includes basic information about common medical conditions, diseases, and the disease process. Emphasis will be placed on documentation of symptoms, patient assessment, case management - including diagnostic tests indicated, treatment indicated, client teaching required and ways to validate a patient's understanding of their disease and treatment. Course content includes major conditions organized by body system and a nine-part format consisting of description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, complimentary therapy, client communication, prognosis and treatment. Current ICD-10-CM coding systems are discussed and codes are listed for each disease reinforcing the importance of proper coding for reimbursement and research.

MAST 1126 – Clinical Practicum I

1 credit | Prerequisites: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, MAST 1115, MAST 2218, and MAST 2240 | Corequisite: MAST 1118, MAST 2205, MAST 2215, MAST 2230, MAST 2226, and MAST 2297

The Medical Assistant Practicum Program is an unpaid practicum, under professional supervision, in an ambulatory healthcare setting. The practicum program allows students to continue hands on learning for safe and effective performance of patient care in the medical office. Students will demonstrate knowledge gained and the psychomotor skills and affective behaviors acquired, from previous learning performances of core curriculum in the administrative and clinical duties of a medical assistant.

MAST 1199 – Seminar

1–6 credits

Discussion of particular problems related to chosen program and areas of interest.

MAST 2205 – Medical Law & Ethics

2 credits

This course is an introduction to the legal and ethical challenges faced in the practice of health care. Topics include requirements for licensure, certification, and registration of medical professionals. Discussion and class exercises relate to the correlation of medical office employees to the public, civil and criminal acts, negligence, contracts, bioethics, litigation in the medical workplace, HIPPA, use of consent forms, patient rights and confidentiality, the medical record and related topics in the news.

MAST 2212 – Medical Transcription

3 credits | Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Medical Assistant Technology program | Corequisites: MAST 1101, MAST 1111, and MAST 1115

Introductory course in medical transcription (the medical scribe), including the use of transcription equipment, computer word processing, formatting and use of appropriate medical forms. Content includes documentation integrity, ethical and legal issues for the medical transcriptionist, as well as transcription guidelines for punctuation, capitalization, proofreading and making corrections, and use of references. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, correct spelling, punctuation in written communication, speech recognition editing and proofreading, professional letters, patient chart notes, medical records, and an introduction to various medical report formats and completion timelines for various body systems, including the history and physical report and hospital discharge summary.

MAST 2215 – Medical Laboratory Techniques

3 credits | Prerequisites: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, MAST 1115, MAST 2218, and MAST 2240 | Corequisites: MAST 1118, MAST 1126, MAST 2205, MAST 2226, MAST 2230, and MAST 2297

An introduction to diagnostic laboratory procedures performed in the physician's office and medical laboratory science. Principles of laboratory procedures will be studied by observation, discussion, and practice in the laboratory sessions with emphasis on collection, proper handling, including blood and body fluid restrictions, and identification of specimens, basic hematology procedures, routine urinalysis, rapid strep, pregnancy tests, and venipuncture for competency.

MAST 2218 – Medical Billing & Coding

3 credits | Prerequisite: Acceptance in Medical Assistant Technology program | Corequisites: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, MAST 1115, and MAST 2240

The course begins with the fundamentals of initiating, tracking and processing insurance forms for commercial insurance carriers. Basic theory and coding principles utilizing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) for completion of medical insurance claims. Use of appropriate terminology is emphasized along with accurate abstracting of information from the office medical record. A Competency Based Exam (CBE) for accurate completion of CMS-1500 is completed. The second half of the course continues emphasis of accuracy in CPT and ICD-10-CM coding skills and moves into insurance problem-solving, and initiating, tracking and processing Blue Plans, managed care plans, private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veteran's Health Care, Workers' Compensation, and finishes with introduction to Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs).

MAST 2220 – Emergency Medical Procedures

3 credits | Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Medical Assisting, Medical Assistant Technology, or Phlebotomy program, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, and MAST 1115 | Corequisites: MAST 2215, MAST 2230, and MAST 2240

Introduction of theory and techniques employed by the health care professional in emergency situations. Course includes simulations and laboratory sessions to identify and institute appropriate responses to various emergency incidents. Included with the emergency procedures is a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. With successful completion of the course, the student will receive a course completion card in adult, child, and infant CPR.

MAST 2226 – Clinical Practicum II

1 credit | Prerequisite: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, MAST 1115, MAST 2218, and MAST 2240 | Corequisites: MAST 1118, MAST 1126, MAST 2205, MAST 2215, MAST 2230, and MAST 2297

The Medical Assistant Practicum Program is an unpaid practicum, under professional supervision, in an ambulatory healthcare setting. The practicum program allows students to continue hands on learning for safe and effective performance of patient care in the medical office. Students will demonstrate knowledge gained, and the psychomotor skills and affective behaviors acquired, from previous learning performances of core curriculum in the administrative and clinical duties of a medical assistant.

MAST 2230 – Pharmacology for Medical Assisting

3 credits | Prerequisites: ALTH 1160, MAST 1101, MAST 1111, MAST 1115, MAST 2218, and MAST 2240 | Corequisites: MAST 1118, MAST 1126, MAST 2205, MAST 2215, MAST 2226, and MAST 2297

Presentation of the principles of pharmacology relating to the medical assisting profession. Instruction introduces the student to patient education regarding medications, researching drugs in a drug reference and correlation of drug therapy and pathophysiologic conditions. Knowledge and experience is gained through research of drug generic and trade names, usage, action, side effects, and contraindication in a drug reference book, and recording the information on pharmacology index cards. Course content includes pharmacology math, routes of medication administration and parenteral techniques most commonly administered in the medical office. Emphasis is placed on competency based skills and worksheet documentation to record oral and parenteral medications administered, dispensed, or prescribed during classroom simulation and the practicum experience.

MAST 2240 – Clinical Procedures

3 credits | Prerequisite: MAST 1101, MAST 1111, and MAST 1115 | Corequisites: MAST 2220 and MAST 2230

Presents the theory and techniques required by the medical assistant to perform fundamental skills at intermediate and advanced levels. Procedure skills include those associated with Gastroenterology, Urology, Neurology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Geriatrics, family medical practice, surgical, and specialty practices. Emphasis is placed on competency based skills and techniques used in male and female catheterization, enemas, patient/client instructions for GI testing, pre- and postnatal exams, Pap smears, assisting with minor surgical procedures, assisting with technical diagnostic procedures, and technique.

MAST 2297 – Medical Assisting Review

2 credits | Prerequisites: MAST 2215, MAST 2220, MAST 2230, and MAST 2240 | Corequisites: MAST 1126 and MAST 2226

This course is designed as a review tool for the Medical Assisting student in preparation for successful completion of credentialing examination, to aid students in discovery of content areas needing review, recalling administrative, clinical and trans-disciplinary medical assisting principles, medical assisting guidelines, skill competency review, and practice of computer-based test-taking skills.