Medical Assistant
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Students learn to respond to common emergency situations and administer first aid in accordance with OSHA Standards. Students must obtain BLS for Healthcare provider certification through the American Heart Association. Students learn to recognize the effect of stress on all persons involved in emergency situations. Students learn to demonstrate self-awareness in responding to emergency situations.

Introduction into the healthcare industry and the Medical Assistant profession. Emphasizes efficient procedures and administration of the professional office. Telephone techniques, patient scheduling, medical records management, and patient privacy within the practice are covered. An emphasis on professionalism and patient relations also is addressed.

Introduction into the management of the professional office. Emphasizes administrative functions necessary in an efficient healthcare facility. Medical insurance, billing and collections, finances, and management of a practice are covered.

Prerequisite: MED121

Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiac system. Students learn lead placement and perform EKGs on patients, troubleshoot EKG machine problems, and recognize basic cardiac arrhythmias. Spirometry testing is performed.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: HEA201, SCI224

Students learn the proper venipuncture and finger-stick techniques of obtaining human blood specimens in accordance with OSHA Standards. Basic blood chemistry tests, including glucose, are performed and results are properly recorded. Students also become familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the blood body system and cover topics such as blood formation, testing and grouping, and individual blood type identification.

Prerequisite: SCI224

Covers basic laboratory techniques and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), including specimen collection, preservation, and analysis and reporting of all specimen results.

Prerequisites: HEA201, SCI224

Students learn the skills needed to function in a clinical office setting including patient relations, proper laboratory procedures and safety, medical asepsis, obtaining vital signs, draping patients, assisting with examinations and treatments, and performing diagnostic procedures. Review anatomy and physiology of the eye and ear and gastrointestinal systems, and focus on tests and diagnostic procedures of these systems. Students are introduced to OSHA standards.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: HEA201, SCI224

Students learn the skills needed to function in a clinical office setting including patient relations, proper laboratory procedures and safety, specifics of the gynecological patient, the pediatric patient, growth and development, urology and male health. Responsibilities include assisting with examinations, treatments, and procedures of the orthopedic patient, and performing diagnostic procedures, imaging, patient teaching, and preparation for tests. Students re-enforce OSHA standards.

Prerequisites: MED230, MED240
Prerequisite or Corequisite: MED232

Through practical applications, students develop the skills necessary to maintain medical asepsis, recognize surgical instrumentation, and conduct proper autoclaving and disinfecting. Students also learn to prepare and maintain a sterile surgical environment, prepare a patient for minor surgery, and assist during minor surgical procedures.

Prerequisites or Corequisites: HEA201, SCI224

Students study the different drug categories and the methods of administration, including oral and by injection. Includes the proper use of the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) and how to accurately read, prepare, and call in written prescriptions.

Designed to elicit reflection and application to the whole of the Medical Assistant Program. The course requires the student to apply the knowledge, skills and techniques attained throughout the Medical Assistant Program. The Capstone course provides an opportunity for the assessment of the medical assistant critical thinking skills, and teamwork skills through case studies reflecting experiences often encountered in the Medical Assistant’s workplace. Finally, the Capstone course is developed to reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to sit for the CMA exam.

Prerequisite: All MED courses
Corequisite: MED292

Work-experience program in a supervised healthcare environment which provides students with hands-on experience. On-campus seminars focus on integrating the skills learned throughout the program with the work experience.

Prerequisite: BUS226, departmental approval

Students study the American healthcare system, its structure and operations, the forces responsible for shaping it, and the policies influencing its current and future performance.

Provides a solid foundation and understanding of the medical language used by healthcare professionals. This is accomplished through the introduction, reinforcement, and combining of medical word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms. Emphases are on word building, analysis of parts of the word, abbreviations, spelling, and correct pronunciation of various body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, and integumentary, as well as the senses.

Students continue to develop their understanding of the medical terms that are used regarding various body systems. There is an emphasis on combining word parts (prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms) to create full medical terms including the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.

Prerequisite: HEA200

An introduction to the development of medical nomenclature and classification systems. Topics include coding of diseases and procedures, an overview of coding systems, and basic coding rules and conventions.

Explores career development opportunities and strategies. Stresses entry-level job requirements and upward career paths. Covers resume writing skills, interviewing techniques, and the importance of professionalism. Continues the student's orientation to Berkeley College’s computer framework, which includes content collection and compiling a professional e-portfolio.

An introduction to computer technology with an emphasis on applications. Students learn how to use software packages, such as Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Includes an orientation to Berkeley College’s computer framework, which includes Blackboard, content collection, and portfolio development.

An introduction to expository writing through a comprehensive survey of forms of composition. Students are taught to use words with precision and strengthen their understanding and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles. Students are encouraged to appreciate and incorporate the principles of academic and professional writing.

Strengthens the writing, reading, and interpretive abilities introduced in ENG105. Encourages students to develop an appreciation and understanding of various works of literature and utilize literature to enhance critical thinking and writing.

Prerequisite: ENG105

Designed to help students improve oral communication skills. Emphasis is placed on identifying good and poor speech habits, techniques for improving speech, oral interpretation, effective speech planning and delivery, and interpersonal communication.

Prerequisite: ENG106

Study of the structure, function, and pathology (disease) of the human body. Students are introduced to various body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, and integumentary, as well as the senses.

Students continue to develop their understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology (diseases) of the human body. Topics covered include the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.

Prerequisite: SCI223

The morphology and function of microorganisms, especially viruses and bacteria, are studied. The characteristics of microorganisms, the disease process, and the immune response are discussed.

This course provides an understanding of the legal, moral, and ethical issues involved in the healthcare environment, including laws and standards that protect both the healthcare professional and patient. In addition, the bioethics component of the course focuses on the study of the ethical controversies involved in the practice of medicine including euthanasia, abortion, doctor-patient confidentiality, human and animal experimentation, genetic engineering, stem-cell research, cloning, and access to healthcare.

An introduction to the basic principles of psychology and their direct application to the understanding of human behavior. Topics include human development, learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, creativity, motivation, emotion, adjustment, perception, abnormal behavior, and therapy.