Learning Experience Reviewed 2015
- Medical Assistant Program
Credit Recommendation
Clinical Lab and Pharmacology: 4 credits, lower division level
Clinical Office Procedures: 3 credits, lower division level
Computer Skills for the Workplace: 3 credits, lower division level
Employment Skills and Externship: 3 credits, lower division level
Explore a Career in Medical Coding: 2 credits, lower division level
Human Biology (non-lab): 3 credits, lower division level
Medical Office Procedures: 3 credits, lower division level
Surgical Procedures and Sterilization: 3 credits, lower division level
Survey of Law, Liability and Ethics: 2 credits, lower division level
Survey of Medical Terminology: 2 credits, lower division level
Survey of Therapeutic Communication: 2 credits, lower division level
Effective Dates
September 2011 through May 2020
Source of Records
eTranscripts; Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032, Phone: 860.773.1300
About the Training Sponsor
Tunxis Community College offers its students a quality, yet affordable education in an accessible and supportive environment, fostering the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex world.
How to Apply for the Credit
Competencies
Clinical Lab and Pharmacology: 4 credits, lower division level
This course focuses on advanced clinical techniques. Students will learn phlebotomy and capillary punctures, as well as other specialty laboratory tests. Basic pharmacology including the uses, sources, forms, and delivery routes of drugs along with an understanding of how to calculate dosages and safely administer them will be covered. Hands-on practice will be performed in a laboratory setting.
Clinical Office Procedures: 3 credits, lower division level
This course explores the history of medicine, different health care settings, and the health care team. Basic clinical skills will be practiced which include infection control procedures, medical asepsis, vital signs and measurements, obtaining medical histories, documentation in the medical chart, and the physical examination process.
Computer Skills for the Workplace: 3 credits, lower division level
This course is designed to provide the fundamental computer competencies you need to survive and prosper in today's fast-changing workplace. Students will learn how to implement the powers of modern office software to work faster and more efficiently. Students will learn how to send messages using e-mail; use Word to create, save and edit documents; use a spreadsheet; add and edit data in a database; understand the implications of file sizes, memory limitations, and network arrangements; and recognize the functions and features of modern computer components. (Ed2Go Course)
Employment Skills and Externship: 3 credits, lower division level
Basic job search methods, creating effective resumes and cover letters, interview techniques and overcoming possible obstacles will be explored during classroom sessions. The externship is a critical component for the student to gain hands-on experience in a physician's office or clinic.
Explore a Career in Medical Coding: 2 credits, lower division level
In this course, students will learn how to use the CPT manual and the ICD-9-CM to find medical codes for any disease, condition, treatment, or surgical procedure. We will go through each of the main systems of the human body—integumentary (skin), musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and male and female genitourinary—outlining the medical terminology, conditions, diseases, injuries, treatments, and procedures see most often in each of those systems. (Ed2Go Course)
Human Biology (non-lab): 3 credits, lower division level
This course begins with an explanation of the nature of matter and a review of the principles of chemistry that are important to human physiology. An emphasis will be placed on the organization of the human body, the differences between nonliving matter and living organisms, cell anatomy and physiology and the principles of genetics. We will then survey the anatomy and physiology of each of our 11 organ systems including their functions and disorders. We will also cover the skeletal and muscular systems. The second half of the course covers basic histology, the senses, cellular metabolism, and the human life span. (Ed2Go Courses: Anatomy and Physiology 1 &2)
Medical Office Procedures: 3 credits, lower division level
This course introduces the medical assistant student with a fundamental overview of the administrative duties in a medical office. Computers in the health care setting, telecommunications, patient scheduling, medical records management, written communications, managing finances and medical billing and coding will be emphasized. The transition to ICD-10 will be explored.
Surgical Procedures and Sterilization: 3 credits, lower division level
This course covers the medical assistants' role in assisting the physician with office/ambulatory surgical procedures, performing electrocardiograms, and pulse oximetry. The student will learn the importance of nutrition in health and disease; diagnostic imaging; and rehabilitative and therapeutic modalities.
Survey of Law, Liability and Ethics: 2 credits, lower division level
Medical assistants must have an awareness of the legal and ethical ramifications while working in all health care settings. This course emphasizes the laws as they pertain to the Medical Assistant's practice, risk management, the civil litigation process, public duties and advance directives. A focus on bioethics, ethical guidelines, bioethical dilemmas, and professional liability for health care professionals will be explored.
Survey of Medical Terminology: 2 credits, lower division level
This course teaches medical terminology from an anatomical approach. Root terms are divided by each body system. The origin, a combined form, and an example of non-medical everyday usage is provided for each root term. Word Associations are provided as a learning tool. Unusual and interesting information is provided in regard to each term. Root terms are combined with prefixes and suffixes as your learning will culminate in the interpretation of several paragraphs of medical notes. (Ed2Go Course)
Survey of Therapeutic Communication: 2 credits, lower division level
Communication is the foundation of every action taken by health care professionals in the care of their patients. This course covers the complexities of the communication process.
About the Review
This review was funded by the Connecticut Health & Life Sciences Career Initiative (HLSCI), a Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor. HLSCI is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.