Medical Assistant Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Program in Marietta

This course provides the students, primarily in health-related This course introduces the student to the world of healthcare. The student will be introduced to basic medical terminology including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules to build, spell and pronounce terms. The course also includes anatomy and physiology basics such as the structural organization of the human body, positional and directional terms. This course introduces the student to law and ethics in the health field. Students will also learn and demonstrate Infection Control, proper techniques to obtain vital signs, HIPAA, and OSHA. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.
 

This course introduces the student to the anatomy, physiology and medical terms associated with the cardiovascular, blood and respiratory systems. Students will learn the proper technique in blood collection and analysis of the blood sample. They will also learn to prepare a patient for an ECG and obtain an electrocardiogram. Students will learn to measure the peak flow rate and perform spirometry. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

This course introduces the student to the anatomy, physiology, and medical terms associated with the Musculoskeletal, Integumentary, and Sensory systems. Students will learn to identify the basics of drugs, including sources, uses, pharmacokinetics, and actions. They will also learn to solve medication-related math problems, and administer medications via various routes. Students will discuss medical emergencies such as diabetic emergencies, burns, poisonings, and be trained in BLS (basic life support) for the Health Care Provider. Finally, students will learn to prepare the exam room to assist in a physical exam, including performing vision and hearing screening tests. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.
 

This course introduces the student to the anatomy, physiology and medical terms associated with the Digestive, Urinary and Reproduction systems. Students will learn to examine and report on physical and chemical aspects of urine using CLIA-waived methods. They will also learn to assist providers in specialty examinations including but not limited to obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

This course introduces the student to the anatomy, physiology, and medical terms associated with the Lymphatic, Immune, Nervous, and Endocrine systems. Students will learn the role of a medical assistant in caring for aging patients along with proper communication with the older adult. They will also learn proper specimen collection and transport in the physician’s office laboratory while performing a variety of CLIA-waived tests. The student will learn the Medical Assistants role in minor surgeries, patient coaching, and nutrition. Students will learn general classifications of surgical instruments, sterilization, and surgical hand scrub. They will also understand the MA’s role as a coach in promoting health maintenance and wellness. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

Students will learn about the patient’s health record, Telephone techniques, and scheduling appointments. A variety of electronic technologies used in the medical office with be discussed. In addition, students will work on their written communication and learn reception and daily operations of the office. This course introduces the student to life cycle of insurance billing and coding. They will learn the basics of health insurance; discuss traditional health insurance and different types of managed care models. Students will then continue the life cycle learning diagnostic and procedural coding basics. Then, continuing onto billing and reimbursement and finally accounting, collections and banking. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

This class introduces students to medical insurance and billing. Students will be introduced to various insurances such as The Blue Plans, Private Insurance, Managed Care, Medicare, Medicaid and other state programs, TRICARE, Veterans’ Health Care and Workers’ Compensation. Students will have an understanding of the process of claims submission in the medical office, the follow-up process and the payment process. Finally, students will be introduced to billing in healthcare facilities such as Ambulatory Surgery centers and Hospital Outpatient and Inpatient Billing. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

This course will prepare the student to understand basic computer principles and use electronic records in a medical practice. Electronic Health Records is designed to train future users of electronic health records programs to document patient exams, diagnosis, disorders, and coding. By the completion of this course the student will have the ability to understand and implement the electronic health records software, including data entry at the point of care, electronic coding from medical records, utilize advanced techniques to speed data entry, use the electronic health records to improve patient care, and understand the privacy and security of health records. Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

This course is a study of the purpose, use, and application of medical classification systems, nomenclatures, and other terminologies, including International Classification of Diseases Coding. Emphasis is placed on the current version of the International Classification of Diseases federal coding guidelines, coding conventions, and coding principles. Students will practice code assignments using various types of healthcare documentation (such as: inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, physician’s office). Professional development exercises and seminars are also included in this course.

During the clinical internship the student applies practical application and experiential learning opportunities using all skills learned in a real-life clinical setting prior to taking the certification/registry examination.

This course presents students with techniques to develop their critical thinking skills, emphasizing their utility within managerial and organizational contexts. Topics include the importance of language, ambiguity, structure of arguments, and creative problem solving. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate an improvement in their ability to apply critical thinking skills to real-world situations, particularly those involving decision-making and problemsolving in management environments.

This course is designed to provide students with a basic scientific overview of how nature works and how things in nature are interconnected. This course explores the study of the earth’s natural resources. Topics include the study of how air, water, soil, natural energy, and the minerals are critical and related parts of the earth’s interconnected systems.

This course will enhance the student’s understanding and appreciation of the uses of oral communication and will teach the skills needed to speak effectively in a variety of situations, including management and organizational environments.