Medical Assisting

Program Coordinator:  Bird
Faculty: Terrell

Faculty Information   
Program Options   
Courses   

5 Semester Program for full-time students. Part time program also available.

One Associate of Applied Science degree, one Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree, and one Bachelor of Applied Technology degree are available.

This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to:

1. Help physicians examine and treat patients by taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, explain treatment procedures to patients, prepare patients for exams, assist during the exams and other office procedures, collect blood and other specimens, and perform basic lab procedures.
2. Perform routine tasks to keep offices running smoothly, such as schedule appointments, process insurance claims, perform bookkeeping, and maintain electronic medical records to name a few.

The Idaho State University College of Technology Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 1361 Park St., Clearwater, FL  33756; (727) 210-2350; fax (727) 210-2354;  www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). The program’s accreditation status is current.

NOTE: Graduates will be eligible to take the national certification exam for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony, or pleaded guilty to a felony, are not eligible to take the CMA Exam. However, the Certifying Board may grant a waiver based upon mitigating circumstances.

For a Program Information Packet, use this link, which leads to descriptions of each program in general, course descriptions, lists of course sequences, and the cost of books, tools, uniforms, fees, and other expenses.  The URL is  http://www.isu.edu/ctech/programs.shtml 

This program requires students to achieve certain grades in order to advance each semester. Specific information is available in the program's student handbook. The Medical Assistant Curriculum is sequenced to provide the student with the best possible learning experience. Students who do not complete proper class sequence each semester will not progress to the next semester. ALL classes must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher to progress to any Clinical or Externship course.

Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting

See A.A.S. Degree General Education Requirements linked here (minimum 15 credits)

The General Education courses taken in conjunction with a bachelor's degree must have an accumulated GPA of 2.0 or better.

Required Courses:

The following courses must be completed with a "C" or better in each course.

BT 0170 	Introduction to Computers 		3 cr
HIT 0208 	ICD-10 Coding 				3 cr
HIT 0209 	CPT Coding 				3 cr
HO 0105 	Introduction to Allied Health Careers 	2 cr
HO 0106 	Medical Terminology 			2 cr
HO 0107 	Medical Law and Ethics 			3 cr
HO 0208 	Introduction to Pathology 		3 cr
HO 0209 	Basic Principles of Drugs 
		  and their Uses 			3 cr
MA 0104 	Introduction to 
		  Medical Assisting Administrative 	4 cr
MA 0200 	Clinical Medical Assisting I 		4 cr
MA 0202 	Phlebotomy and Administration 
		  of Medications 			4 cr
MA 0203 	Computers in Medical Assisting 		4 cr
MA 0204 	Clinical Externship 			6 cr
MA 0204S 	Clinical Externship Seminar 		1 cr
MA 0205 	Clinical Medical Assisting II 		4 cr
MA 0206 	Administrative Externship 		2 cr
MA 0206S 	Administrative Externship Seminar 	1 cr
MA 0207 	Professional Development 		1 cr
MA 0208 	Clinical Medical Assisting III 		4 cr
HO 0111 	Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 	4 cr
	OR
BIOL 3301, 3301L, 3302, 3302L
		Anatomy and Physiology, and Labs 	8 cr
BIOL 1101,1101L	Biology I, and Lab			4 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)
ENGL 1101	English Composition			3 cr
(contributes to AAS English/Communication Requirement)
ENGL 1102	Critical Reading and Writing		3 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)
MATH 1123	Mathematics in ModernSociety		3 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)
PSYC 1101	Introduction to General Psychology 	3 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)
					     TOTAL: 75-80 cr

Courses

MA 0104 Introduction to Medical Assisting Administrative 4 credits. An introduction to the administrative skills and functions of the Medical Assistant in the medical office, which include: communications, appointment scheduling, accounting, insurance processing, and management skills. PREREQ: Previous semester course sequence. S

MA 0200 Clinical Medical Assisting I 4 credits. Basic clinical procedures: taking and recording vital signs, histories, and chief complaints; asepsis; OSHA standards; health maintenance; disinfection and sterilization procedures; inventorying and ordering medical supplies; maintaining equipment; therapy modalities; preparing patients for exams; CPR and First Aid; patient education. PREREQ: Previous semester course sequence. F

MA 0201 Pharmacology For Allied Health 2 credits. This course is designed for the health professional working outside of the hospital setting. This course reviews mathematical computations used in computing dosages. It introduces legislation relating to drugs, drug references, drug classifications and actions. The function of vitamins and minerals is covered as well as the subject of substance abuse. The effects of medications in the body systems details how specific drugs act on the body system. PREREQ: HO 0106, BIOL 3301, and BIOL 3302. S

MA 0202 Administration of Medications and Phlebotomy 4 credits. Covers routes of administration and the proper delivery of medication by those routes. Medications and rules of administration are discussed. Includes phlebotomy skills and safety requirements for hematology, chemistry, and serology. Principles and theory of IV Therapy are also covered. PREREQ: Previous semester course sequence. S

MA 0203 Computers in Medical Assisting Administrative 4 credits. Data entry of patient information, accounting, scheduling, insurance filing. Complete, accurate computer accounting process. Simulated computer exercises in functions pertaining to the medical office.Abstracting patient information from medical records and using electronic medical records and templates to manage patient health records. PREREQ: Previous semester course sequence. S

MA 0204 Clinical Externship 6 credits. Application of the principles and practice of medical assisting in an external learning environment/externship of a medical practice under the supervision of a physician and the medical practice staff. Graded S/U. PREREQ: All other MA required courses (including general education and HO courses). F, S

MA 0204S Clinical Externship Seminar 1 credit. Extension of the clinical externship; students meet for one hour each week to discuss experiences and progress with their clinical advisor and other students. Graded S/U. PREREQ: All other MA required courses (including general education and HO courses). COREQ: MA 0204. F, S

MA 0205 Clinical Medical Assisting II 4 credits. Assisting with minor surgery and office procedures; applying dressings, bandages, casts, and sutures; scheduling radiology and patient preparation; diagnostic CLIA and screening; collecting specimens; OSHA regulations. F, S

MA 0206 Administrative Externship 2 credits. Application of the principles and practice of the administrative clerical functions of a medical office in an external learning/externship environment under the supervision of a physician and the business management staff. Graded S/U. PREREQ: All other MA required courses (including general education and HO courses). F, S

MA 0206S Externship Seminar 1 credit. Extension of MA 0206. Discuss experiences and progress with advisor and other students.  Graded S/U. PREREQ: All other MA required courses (including general education and HO courses). COREQ: MA 0206. F, S

MA 0207 Professional Development 1 credit. Principles and applied techniques for Medical Assisting professional career development. Preparation for transition from school to the work place. PREREQ: Previous semester course sequence, and BT 0170. S

MA 0208 Clinical Medical Assisting III 4 credits. Vital signs, asepsis, and health maintenance; charting; patient education; assisting with specialty examinations in pediatrics, OB/GYN, cardiology, pulmonary, gastroenterology, eyes, ears, nose, and throat. PREREQ: MA 0205. F

MA 0296 Independent Study 1-8 credits. Addresses specific learning needs of individuals for the enhancement of knowledge and skills within the program area under the guidance of an instructor.  May be repeated.  Graded S/U, or may be letter-graded.  PREREQ: Permission of the instructor.  D

MA 0298 Special Topics 1-8 credits. Addresses the specific needs of industry, enabling students to upgrade technical skills that are not included in the current program curriculum.  May be repeated.  Graded S/U, or may be letter-graded.  PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

 

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2012