Course Descriptions

Medical Assistant Course Descriptions

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(Enter Datatel Course Numbers with the dash. i.e. ENGL-100; use commas to separate multiple Course Numbers)

MAST-101 - MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 1  3 credits
This course will provide students with a foundation to recognize medical terms using the four word part approach (prefix, word root, suffix, combining vowel). This will prepare the student to better understand and master the terminology related to health care delivery. Emphasis will be placed on improving written and oral communication skills pertaining to medical terminology. The student will experience real life applications of medical terminology through the use of pathology, and history and physical forms from actual hospital medical records as well as television medical dramas and movies. A working knowledge of medical terminology is desirable for anyone entering one of the health science fields. PREREQUISITE: None.
MAST-119 - APPLIED LEGAL CONCEPTS (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This course will introduce the basics of medical law that pertain to the practice of medicine in the ambulatory care areas. Legal responsibilities and the rights of the patient, medical assistant, and physician will be discussed. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand the principles of law as they relate to the practice of medical assisting.
MAST-122 - INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL ASSISTING  3 credits
This course begins with an orientation to the profession of medial assisting. Students will explore the art/science of wellness through lecture and discussion highlighting communication skills, stress reduction, values clarification, and ethical conduct as they apply in the health care field. The student will have the opportunity to acknowledge his/her feelings and thoughts; examine attitudes, beliefs, cultural patterns; and clarify his/her own value system as it relates to human sexuality and life's losses. Impact of heredity/environment on one's sense of self-esteem will be examined. The role of the patient educator as well as clinical assistant and administrative assistant will be explored. CONCURRENT: MAST-160.
MAST-160 - MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNIQUES 1  4 credits
Presents theory and planned student activity in assisting with the medical asepsis, vital signs, patient history physical exam, positioning and draping, and sterilization and disinfection. Emphasis will be on the performance of these basic skills used by the Medical Assistant. CONCURRENT: MAST-122 and MAST-160L.
MAST-161 - MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGER 1  1 credit
This course is designed to prepare the Medical Assistant student to develop skills using the Medical Manager software, a popular medical office management program. COREQUISITE: MAST-160
MAST-206 - VENIPUNCTURE/PHLEBOTOMY (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This course is designed to prepare the Respiratory Care and Radiography students in the venipuncture/phlebotomy procedure for collection of diagnostic blood specimens, and/or instilling contrast medium, diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, and/or other drugs necessary for diagnostic procedures. Incorporated into the course will be lectures supplemented with on-campus laboratory sessions. COREQUISITE: MAST-206L RESTRICTED TO: RSPC, DMIR programs
MAST-207 - VENIPUNCTURE/PHLEBOTOMY WITH AFFILIATION (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This course is formulated to assist and prepare the Nuclear Medicine student with the understanding and specific skills necessary in the performance of venipuncture/phlebotomy procedures to withdraw a specimen of blood for diagnostic testing, as well as instilling a medication, contrast medium or diagnostic radiopharmaceutical. Lectures and on-campus laboratory sessions will be supplemented with hospital laboratory experience aimed at high quality collection of diagnostic blood specimens. COREQUISITE: MAST-207L RESTRICTED TO: DMIN program.
MAST-210 - HEALTH SCIENCE 2  3 credits
Presents combined classroom theory and planned student activity in a laboratory setting to prepare the allied health student to perform the following: medical asepsis including isolation techniques, vital signs, body mechanics and patient movement, surgical asepsis, a general understanding of medications, and care of the patient during emergency situations including CPR. COREQUISITE: MAST-210L RESTRICTED TO: DMIN, DMIR, DMIS programs
MAST-211 - HEALTH SCIENCE 3 (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
Presents theory and practice in classroom and laboratory settings to prepare allied health students for basic clinical skills and life support measures, including CPR. COREQUISITE: MAST-211L RESTRICTED TO: PTAS, RSPC, OCCP, INHM programs
MAST-215 - ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
A one-credit course focusing on the technique of taking a basic electrocardiogram. Skills will be developed in laboratory sessions. CONCURRENT: MAST-215L RESTRICTED TO CLLS.COC
MAST-216 - VENIPUNCTURE/PHLEBOTOMY (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This course is designed to prepare the Medical Assistant student in the performance of venipuncture/phlebotomy procedures for the preparation and collection of diagnostic blood specimens. Included in the course will be an understanding of intravenous instillation of fluid as well as laboratory practice in removal of intravenous equipment from manikins. Emphasis will be placed on the general rules for safety following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and guidelines in the collection of high quality specimens. CONCURRENT: MAST-216L RESTRICTED TO: MAST program
MAST-218 - LAB PROCEDURES FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This class combines lecture and lab experience designed to introduce the multi-competent health care provider to the clinical laboratory and point-of-care testing. Emphasis will be placed on quality control, the collection and processing of specimens, and performing selected tests that assist with the diagnosis and treatment in various health care settings. 7-weeks, One hour lecture, two hours lab. PREREQUISITE: MAST-160; COREQUISITE: MAST-218L
MAST-220 - ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS/MEDICAL ASSISTANT  3 credits
This course is designed to prepare the Medical Assistant student with theory and skills necessary to perform administrative procedures in a medical office. Students will explore in depth types of insurance, managed care, third party reimbursement guidelines, and HCFA claim form instructions. They will be introduced to ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems. Students will perform procedural and diagnostic coding using the appropriate tools such as coding manuals and electronic search engines. Students will also be introduced to accounting procedures for the medical office, including accounts payable and receivable, billing and collection procedures, daysheets, bank deposits, petty cash, preparing checks, posting adjustments and processing refunds. Three hours of lecture.
MAST-260 - MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNIQUES 2  4 credits
This course is a continuation of advanced theory and skills in medical assisting techniques. Selected laboratory procedures will include minor surgery, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, emergencies, electrocardiography, injections and the modalities used in physical therapy. PREREQUISITE: MAST-160; COREQUISITE: MAST-260L
MAST-261 - MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGER 2  1 credit
This course is a continuation of the Medical Manager software program used in the medical office setting, and will enhance the administrative skills needed by the Medical Assistant. COREQUISITE: MAST-260
MAST-301 - INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DISEASE  3 credits
This course is designed to acquaint students with the major causes of death in the United States: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and others. The student will become aware of genetic and environmental effects on health. In addition, he/she will learn how to promote his/her own good health, and learn ways of taking charge to help prevent these major diseases from affecting self or family. Emphasis is on the relationship between daily life styles and health as a point of action for health-conscious people.
MAST-319 - DOSAGE AND CALCULATIONS (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This course will introduce the student to pharmaceutical calculations and provide basic information on the apothecary and metric systems, and conversions from one system to another, based on practical drug problems encountered in clinical practice, since it is the responsibility of those administering drugs to precisely and efficiently carry out medical orders. A review of fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and roman numerals will be included, emphasizing examples used in the most common medication orders. Learning will be reinforced by computer-assisted problem solving. PREREQUISITE: ARTH-073
MAST-320 - PHARMACOLOGY  3 credits
This introductory course covers pharmaceutical references and sources, legislation relating to drugs, classifications and actions, trade and generic names of drugs. The course reflects current and commonly used practices, procedures, medications, and drug preparations. Effects of drugs and their side effects on body systems will be explored.
MAST-321 - INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY (7 WEEKS)  1 credit
This introductory course covers pharmaceutical references and sources, legislation relating to drugs, classifications and actions, trade and generic names of drugs. The course reflects current and commonly used practices, procedures, medications, and drug preparations. Effects of drugs and their side effects on body systems will be explored.
MAST-330 - HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE  3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of basic anatomy, physiology and pathology for the major body systems. Students will be introduced to each of the major body systems; structure, function and disease of each system will be presented. Discussion about disease prevention, diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities will also be included.
MAST-370 - MEDICAL ASSISTING TECHNIQUES 4, MANAGEMENT SKILLS  3 credits
This course is designed for the Medical Assistant Associate Degree student. In this course, the externship provides the student with 180 additional hours of supervised, unpaid clinical and administrative experiences. The additional affiliation time affords the students the opportunity to further expand and develop their entry-level competencies and apply theoretical knowledge. Students will be introduced to the responsibilities and duties of an office manager in the ambulatory setting. In addition, the student will be given the opportunity to explore ambulatory health care specialties such as pediatrics, gastroenterology, and obstetrics and gynecology. This will assist students to formulate career preferences. Students will also attend 15 hours of lecture in which emphasis will be placed on management skills.
MAST-450 - MEDICAL ASSISTANT TECHNIQUES 3  3 credits
The affiliation period of 12 hours per week offers each student the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the college laboratory in supervised clinical experiences. Various sites in hospital clinics, outpatient laboratories, EKG departments, physician offices, and health maintenance organizations will give the students the best possible background to make career decisions. In addition, the students attend a review course in preparation for the certification exam. PREREQUISITES: MAST-160, MAST-260; CO-REQUISITE: MAST-450L.
MAST-460 - MANAGEMENT SKILLS FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT  5 credits
This course is a continuation of the affiliation period of 12 hours per week and offers each student the opportunity to be introduced to the responsibilities and duties of the office manager in an ambulatory care setting. These duties include coordination of all office activities, including staff meetings; recruiting and training personnel; implementing time management techniques to boost office efficiency; organizing, updating, and reviewing the procedures manual; developing educational materials and coordinating marketing functions; processing records and financial management; managing facilities and equipment; establishing risk management protocols; and understanding liability coverage. In addition, the student will attend a review course in preparation for the certification exam. The student will also attend a seminar class to review, re-evaluate, and expand upon the affiliation experience. COREQUISITE: MAST-460L. RESTRICTED TO MAST.AS students.
MAST-470 - MEDICAL ASSISTING TECHNIQUES 4, MANAGEMENT SKILLS  3 credits
This course is designed for the Medical Assistant Associate Degree student. In this course, the externship provides the student with 180 additional hours of supervised, unpaid clinical and administrative experiences. The additional affiliation time affords the students the opportunity to further expand and develop their entry-level competencies and apply theoretical knowledge. Students will be introduced to the responsibilities and duties of an office manager in the ambulatory setting. In addition, the student will be given the opportunity to explore ambulatory health care specialties such as pediatrics, gastroenterology, and obstetrics and gynecology. This will assist students to formulate career preferences. Students will also attend 15 hours of lecture in which emphasis will be placed on management skills. PREREQUISITE: MAST-450
MAST-480 - MEDICAL ASSISTING ADVANCED CAREER SEMINAR  2 credits
This course will allow the Medical Assistant Associate Degree student the opportunity to explore various topics related to educational or career advancement. Topics will include advanced credentialing, baccalaureate opportunities, multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and simulated patient scenarios. These and other topics will be presented in a seminar format to encourage active learning and critical thinking. Teaching methodologies will include lectures, guest speakers, case studies and patient simulation using SIMS Medical Center. CO-REQUISITE: MAST-470