MED 124 Medical Assisting, Basic Procedures

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

Surveys the requirements and qualities for success as a medical assistant. Covers medical assisting techniques, methods, and procedures for assisting the physician with numerous examinations, medical and surgical aseptic procedures, obtaining vital signs, care of equipment and supplies, and quality assurance. Integrates legal and ethical implications in a medical care setting.

Prerequisite: Admission into the Medical Assisting program.
Corequisite: MED 125, MED 130, and MED 131.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe requirements and job opportunities for the medical assistant and how critical thinking impacts their job.
Measure and record vital signs.
Prepare a patient for numerous medical examinations.
Assist the physician with various medical examinations and diagnostic/surgical procedures.
Apply principles of medical and surgical asepsis to clean and sterile procedures, and to sterilizing instruments and supplies.
Describe the general principles of disease transmission and management.
Utilize the universal precaution system, as well as OSHA Blood-borne pathogen standards
Apply principles of quality assurance to equipment and supplies.
Identify common medical instruments by name and usual function.
Describe and conduct patient teaching specific to routine physical examinations, specialty exams and diagnostic procedures.
Identify the legal and ethical implications of their actions in this role as medical assistant.

Content Outline

Medical Assistant as a Professional Who Utilizes Critical Thinking
Basic Concepts of Asepsis
Infection Control
Disease Transmission and Management
Vital Signs
Assisting With Routine Exams and Diagnostic Procedures
Specialty Exams
Legal and Ethical considerations