This course emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include: analysis of writing; writing practice; grammar skills; editing and proofreading skills; research skills; and oral presentation skills. Homework assignments reinforce classroom learning.

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include: fractions, decimals, fractions, percents, ratio and proportion; measurement and conversion; formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.

This course presents the basic principles of human behavior and their application to everyday life and work. Topics include: introduction to psychology; social environments; communications and group processes; personality; emotions and motives; conflicts, stress, and anxiety; perception and learning; life-span development; and abnormal psychology.

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include: medical terms describing the human body, and structure and function of the human body.

Introduces a grouping of fundamental principles, practices, and issues common to many specializations in the health care profession. In addition to the essential skills, students explore various delivery systems and related issues. Topics include: basic life support/Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), basic emergency care/first aid and triage, vital signs, infection control, and blood/air-borne pathogens.

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: word origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, terminology related to the human anatomy, reading medical orders and reports, and terminology specific to the student’s field of study.

Reinforces the touch system of keyboarding placing emphasis on correct techniques with adequate speed and accuracy and producing properly formatted business documents. Topics include: reinforcing correct keyboarding technique, building speed and accuracy, formatting business documents language arts, proofreading, and work area management.

Introduces the basic concept of medical assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant’s role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge of medical jurisprudence and the essentials of professional behavior. Topics include: introduction to medical assisting, introduction to medical law, physician/patient/assistant relationship, medical office in litigation, as well as ethics, bioethical issues and HIPAA.

Introduces drug therapy with emphasis on safety, classification of drugs, their action, side effects, and/or adverse reactions. Also, introduces the basic concept of arithmetic used in the administration of drugs. Topics include: introduction to pharmacology, calculation of dosages, sources and forms of drugs, drug classification, and drug effects on the body systems.

Emphasizes essential skills required for the typical business office.  Topics include: office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, medical records, and professional communications.

Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines, prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures, vital signs/mensuration, minor office surgical procedures, and electrocardiography.

Furthers the student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician’s office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management, urinalysis, venipuncture, hematology and chemistry evaluations, advanced reagent testing (Strept Test, HcG, etc), administration of medications, medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness, respiratory evaluations, principles of IV administration, rehabilitative therapy procedures, principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.

Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: managed care, reimbursement, and coding.

Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice in the areas of computers and medical transcription.  Topics include: medical transcription/electronic health records, application of computer skills, integration of medical terminology, accounting procedures, and application software.

Provides clear, succinct, and basic information about common medical conditions. Taking each body system, the disease condition is highlighted following a logical formation consisting of: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, prognosis and prevention. Topics include: introduction to disease and diseases of body systems.

Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. This clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work situation at a professional level of technical application and requires concentration, practice, and follow-through. Topics include: application of classroom knowledge and skills, functioning in the work environment, listening, and following directions.

Seminar focuses on job preparation and maintenance skills and review for the certification examination. Topics include: letters of application, resumes, job applications, job interviews, letters of resignation and review of program competencies for employment and certification.

Introduces the fundamental concepts and operations necessary to use microcomputers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include: computer terminology, introduction to the Windows environment, introduction to networking, introduction to word processing, introduction to spreadsheets, and introduction to databases.