Clinical Medical Assisting

The Clinical Medical Assisting program consists of the following courses:

Clinical Medical Assisting

615 Clock Hours/33 Semester Units
This program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions as "back office" clinical medical assistants for California healthcare providers. A back office medical assistant usually assists the patient into the examination room and prepares the patient for consultation with the physician or medical attendant. This preparation often includes basic procedures such as blood pressure checks and the drawing of blood for testing. Prior to starting this program, a pre-employment drug screen, physical exam, negative Mantoux intradermal tuberculosis (TB) skin test or Chest X-Ray, and current immunizations are required.

GE101 English Composition and Communication
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
Prerequisite, with a minimum grade of "C"
A college-level course in English designed to strengthen basic skills and develop critical reading, writing and thinking skills. Emphasis is on practical forms of communication used in the professional workplace.

GE102 College Mathematics
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
Prerequisite, with a minimum grade of "C"
A college-level course in math designed to strengthen basic arithmetic skills and develop proficiency in practical computations and calculations commonly encountered in the professional workplace.

GE103 Computer Literacy
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
Prerequisite, with a minimum grade of "C"
This course will introduce the student to the basics of computers and keyboarding. Computer components will be discussed as well as different types of software. There will be an emphasis on Windows XP, keyboarding skills and exploring the internet and using internet e-mail.

GC104 Computer Software Applications
(45 lecture hours/3 units)
Prerequisite, with a minimum grade of "C"
This is an overview course designed to teach students the skills they will need to create and manipulate documents using MS Word, spreadsheets using MS Excel.

MED111 Medical Terminology
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
This is an introductory course in medical terminology with the assumption of no other knowledge in the field. The goal is vocational with a focus on understanding the language of medicine studying basic word structures using a systems approach: Integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, sensory and endocrine systems will be covered in this course.

NS111 Anatomy and Physiology
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
This class is a study of the organic systems of the human body. Topics include the digestive system, the urinary system, the male and female reproductive systems, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the blood, lymphatic and immune systems, the musculoskeletal system, the integumentary system, the endocrine system, and the sense organs.

MED112 Pharmacology
(45 lecture hours/3 semester units)
This course is designed to assist students in developing an understanding of basic pharmacology; including routes of administration, proper techniques, conversion, and use of syringes, needles and other related applicable equipment and techniques commonly used in the medical/clinical office.

MED113 Patient Assessment
(30 lecture hours-30 lab hours/3 semester units)
This course is designed to provide to the student with the knowledge of exam room procedures and patient assessment techniques including vital signs as well as methods of infection control used in the medical/clinical office setting.

MED114 Laboratory Procedures
(30 lecture hours-30 lab hours/3 semester units)
This course is designed to expose the student to procedures most common in the clinical laboratory setting. Emphasis will be placed on blood collection techniques, medical asepsis, OSHA safety precautions, and other relevant laboratory testing such as urinalysis, antisteptolysin testing, pregnancy tests and others common to the medical/clinical office. Note: Laboratory practice requires both simulator and live blood draws.

MED115 CPR/Medical Emergencies
(15 lecture hours/.5 semester units)
This course emphasizes CPR certification and Basic Emergency First Aid training for those injured individuals needing immediate medical intervention. This course will be lecture based as well as hands on skill training.

MED116 Medical Software
(15 lecture hours/1 semester units)
The student will become familiar with computerized account management as well as develop the confidence and skills necessary to become a successful user of medical account management software. The medical manager student version is incorporated into this course.

HUM111 Medical Ethics
(15 lecture hours/1 semester unit)
This course is designed to acquaint the student with one's ethical and legal responsibilities as a health care provider. Common situations, problems and dilemmas are studied. Other topics include medical etiquette, medical practice acts, professional liability, patient rights, contracts, informed consent, minors, emergency care, medical records and alternatives to the litigation process.

CS159 Career Success
(15 lecture hours/1 semester unit)
This course is comprised of three key elements: 1) practical job readiness with the goal of producing a resume and cover letter. 2) First job search skills, including mock interviews and networking. 3) Surveying career paths beyond the entry level with health care professionals.

CMA299 Clinical Medical Assisting
Externship Training Plan
(120 externship hours-3 weeks/2.5 semester units)
During the externship phase of the Clinical Medical Assisting program, the externing student will be provided with the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired during classroom clinical theory, and clinical laboratory practical while obtaining experience and additional skills consistent with a hands on approach. The externship will take place at an approved medical/clinical facility under professional and paraprofessional supervision.

While under clinical supervision the extern will be observed and evaluated on their overall clinical development, especially those areas of direct patient care, procedural technique, and knowledge of pertinent legal issues regulated by OSHA and HIIPA.

Students will be evaluated on a weekly basis and then assigned a final grade at the end of the externship by their facility supervisor. Unsatisfactory conduct or behavior will result in the withdrawal of the student from the externship site.

Upon completion of the externship the student will have gained the required clinical experience needed to prepare them for an entry-level position as a Clinical Medical Assistant.

Students will not receive a grade for this course until all course objectives have been met successfully, regardless of the scheduled course hours. Scheduled hours reflect the minimum required hours for the course and may vary on an individual student basis.