Medical Assisting | Davenport Programs

Medical Assisting (MEDA AAS)

60 Credits

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE • 60 CREDITS • MEDA AAS

The program is designed to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Graduates are prepared in the basics of patient care, basic laboratory practices and medical office procedures. In addition, the graduate will have developed their interpersonal communication skills and acquired a foundation in both psychology and diversity. The graduate is eligible to take the certification exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (CMA) and/or the American Medical Technologist Exam (RMA).

+These MEDA courses must be completed at Davenport University in order to be eligible to sit for the certification exams.

#A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of both BIOL115 and BIOL116.

*Recommended electives for students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN): CHEM150, CHEM150L, BIOL110, BIOL110L, PSYC303

To be prepared for success on the national certification exam and entry into the Medical Assisting profession, it is strongly recommended that students meet the most current catalog year requirements.

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

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Foundations of Excellence		(29) Credits
ACES100	This course presents the skills needed for university success and initiates students to career planning and development. Students evaluate their abilities and interests in order to develop career goals and align these goals with an appropriate course of study. Through a career investigation project, students are introduced to research techniques. Students also improve on academic skills necessary to successfully complete university work, such as critical thinking, study techniques, and test taking strategies. In addition, students are introduced to important dynamics of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. The course also orients students to the University, to the Davenport University Excellence System, and to other elements of the Davenport curriculum. (This course is required for all new business, health, and technology students, except those transferring with 30 or more semester credits.) Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/h
BIOL115#	Anatomy and Physiology with Human Disease I This course is the first of a two semester sequence that provides a foundation in human anatomy, physiology and the disease process for students in the Health Information Management and Allied Health programs. Students will learn anatomical and physiological terminology, homeostatic mechanisms, and other fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology. Students will study the structure, function, common disease processes, characteristics, and treatments related to the following body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, senses, and endocrine. Each organ system will be studied with emphasis on the relation-ship between systems. There is a $55.00 software fee included in this course. Note: A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of both BIOL115 and BIOL116.	4.0
BIOL116#	Anatomy and Physiology with Human Disease II This course is the second of a two-semester sequence that provides a foundation in human anatomy, physiology and the disease process for students in the Health Information Management and Allied Health programs. This course expands on previously gained knowledge in the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students will continue to learn anatomical and physiological terminology, homeostatic mechanisms, and other fundamental principles of anatomy and physi-ology. Students will study the structure, function, common disease processes, characteristics, and treatments related to the following body systems: blood and circulation, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. Each organ system will be studied with emphasis on the relationship between systems. There is a $55.00 software fee included in this course. Prerequisite(s): Completion of BIOL115 with a C grade or above. # A grade of C or better is required for successful completion of both BIOL115 and BIOL116.	4.0
COMM120	This course introduces and applies the theories and principles of effective communication. Students learn to organize and present clear, logical messages to specific audiences. They develop confidence in public speaking and increase their ability to inform and persuade listeners. They also implement critical thinking and listening skills. Finally, students exhibit the skills and tools necessary to construct, organize, and deliver effective speeches. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
ENGL109	This course introduces students to expository and persuasive writing. Employing critical thinking and the writing process, students will compose academic essays utilizing a variety of modes. They will also analyze and respond to a variety of academic and professional readings. Students will evaluate information and audience to improve form and content. Students are also introduced to the research process, including finding, evaluating, and documenting sources, to complete a short research project using the American Psychological Association Style. Note: ENGL109L is a 0 credit hour lab utilized in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores or successful completion of ENGL021. Student must also complete a diagnostic writing sample.
ENGL110	This course further develops the skills in expository and persuasive writing that were introduced in ENGL109, English Composition. Students develop critical thinking through the creation of essays and documents that use argumentation and persuasion. As a team, students collaborate to present a required assignment to the class. Students learn to research, evaluate, and incorporate information from both primary and secondary sources, to document secondary sources using APA format, and to analyze information and audiences to improve form and content. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
MATH120	Students in this course will explore and apply college-level mathematical concepts so as to enhance their critical and creative thinking skills. This course aims to increase students' appreciation of the utility and application of mathematics. Topics will include i) problem solving, ii) set theory and real numbers, iii) linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and iv) probability. Other topics of interest will be selected from graph theory, prime numbers, logic, number representation, and voting theory. Fees: Additional course fees apply. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores, placement criteria, or successful completion of MATH 030
PSYC101	This course provides an overview of psychological principles. Students learn basic theories and concepts to understand the dynamics of human behavior in a variety of settings. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
SOSC201	This course introduces students to the complex issues surrounding diversity in U.S. society and to the need for understanding difference in an increasingly globalized world. Students will explore the social-historical context of multiple experiences on individual, cultural and institutional levels. They will analyze the complex interactions regarding diversity in organizations. Students will also evaluate their own thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors in order to understand their roles in a diverse society. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.

Foundations of Health Professions		9 Credits
HLTH101M	This course is required for any College of Health Professions (CoHP) major. As part of orienting the student to the College of Health Professions programs, this course is also a primer regarding the importance of professionalism in healthcare and patient privacy, and the use of universal precautions and safety requirements for healthcare settings. Students are required to complete the criminal background check (CBC) and drug screen (DS) testing as part of this course. A review of the CoHP Student Handbook is included, as well as an introduction to the CoHP practicums and/or clinical professional practice experiences. Note: Grading is Pass/Fail. Additional course fee(s) apply. Co-requisite(s): ACES100
HLTH110	This course introduces the concept of a system-based approach to learning the professional language of those who are directly or indirectly engaged in health care. Word building through knowledge, use of prefixes, suffixes, root words, and combining forms is a central theme of this course. Spelling, pronunciation, abbreviations, medical symbols, and use of a medical dictionary are also emphasized. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
HLTH220*	Pharmacology This course focuses on the principles of understanding basic Pharmacology and the effects medications have on the body and disease. Names of the top fifty most commonly used medications, their classification, and side effects will be discussed. Safety with respect to calculation and administration of medications will be emphasized. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Recommended Prerequisite(s): BIOL120, BIOL115 or BIOL221 and BIOL221L Prerequisite(s): MATH125	3.0
HLTH230	This course will provide the opportunity to explore basic law as it is applied to health related issues and the health care community. The student will be introduced to the concepts of medical ethics and will explore the major ethical issues currently facing health care professionals, with an emphasis on maintaining the highest legal, moral, and ethical standards in their profession. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. successfully.

Major		16 Credits
HLTH250	This course is an introduction to health care reimbursement systems used throughout the United States. Students will gain a detailed understanding of various payment methodologies currently used (i.e. managed care, third party payers, federal programs, etc.), and apply this understanding to the monitoring and management of the revenue cycle. Students will verify completeness of clinical documentation, manage the use of clinical data systems used in claims management and utilize the principles of health care finance to monitor healthcare facility revenue. Current HIPAA guidelines will be covered along with financial ethics and the identification and eliminations of financial fraud and abuse. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
MEDA254+	Clinical Patient Care In this course, the student is introduced to the theoretical and applicable procedures of ambulatory care practices including legal, and ethical clinical aspects of patient care. Emphasis is placed on obtaining accurate clinical and historical patient data, patient education and safety, assisting with medical office procedures and minor office surgeries, assigning diagnostic and procedural codes to corresponding conditions and procedures, and the application of sterile technique. In addition, the student will gain an understanding of body mechanics, patient assessment, physical modalities, electrocardiography, drug calculations and administration, and principles of IV therapy. Clinical experiences will encompass the physical and psychosocial developmental stages and needs of various patient populations. A $180.00 lab supplies fee and $30.00 insurance fee are charged in this course. Note: This course requires one hour of lecture and four hours of lab per week. DU scrubs are required for this course. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Prerequisite(s): BIOL116 with a C or better grade, and HLTH110, and HLTH220 with C or better grades; Medical Assisting Limited Enrollment Form submitted and approved and students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, including HBV or a signed waiver and a negative TB test.	3.0
MEDA255+	Clinical Laboratory Procedures This course will introduce the theory and techniques involved with basic laboratory procedures such as urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry and microbiology. Emphasis will be placed on patient instruction, specimen collection, specimen processing, and documenting. Standard precautions, legal and ethical considerations, and OSHA standards are applied in the performance of venipuncture, capillary punctures, specimen handling and processing of bodily fluids, and equipment usage. A $175.00 lab supplies fee and $25.00 insurance fee are charged in this course. Note: This course requires one hour of lecture and four hours of lab per week. DU scrubs are required for this course. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Prerequisite(s): BIOL116 with a C or better grade, HLTH101 (or HLTH101S), and HLTH110 with C or better grades and MATH125; Medical Assisting Limited Enrollment Form submitted and approved and students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, including HBV or a signed waiver and a negative TB test.	3.0
MEDA259	Students will master the administrative duties of medical office management. This will include communication skills both verbal and non-verbal, computerized office management, scheduling, accounting practices, financial management, third party billing and reimbursement, and daily operations. Students will have hands-on interaction in the use of electronic medical records. Note: This course requires two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
MEDA290+	Medical Assisting Practicum Contact Regional Practicum Manager at least two semesters prior to enrolling. This experience is designed to prepare the student for successful employment as a certified Medical Assistant. The student will gain clinical and administrative experience while working 180 hours in a health care facility outside the institution. No compensation shall be awarded and evaluations will be completed by the facility supervisor in conjunction with the assigned faculty member. In addition, this course will include preparation for and mandatory registration for either the American Medical Assisting Association Certification Exam (CMA) or the American Medical Technologist’s Registered Medical Assistant Exam (RMA). A $255.00 exam preparation, exam registration fee, a $30.00 insurance fee and a $30.00 Internship/Practicum Management fee are included in this course. Note: Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from a practicum experience will result in a grade of F. This course requires two hours of lecture and at least twelve hours of clinical experience per week. To meet course requirements, the student is required to be available during normal business hours (i.e. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). DU scrubs and name badge are required for this course. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Prerequisite(s): HLTH100, MEDA254, MEDA255, MEDA259 and must have Associate Department Chair/Program Director approval including skills verification plus the completion of the Criminal Background Check and an updated Clinical Student Disclosure Statement is required.	4.0

Recommended Open Electives		6.0 Credits
HINT110	4 contact hours This course introduces the student to the contents of the health record. The student will analyze, synthesize and evaluate the contents of the health record gaining a detailed understanding of documentation requirements, data governance, health law, health information technologies, analytics and decision support, health information exchange, revenue management. The student will comprehend the difference between data and information, classification systems and nomenclatures, and primary and secondary data sources. The student is introduced to HIPAA (the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act); legal and ethical issues pertaining to the contents of the health record, privacy, confidentiality and security, and professional ethics. The student gains comprehension of health care information systems acquisition and evaluation, data integrity, data security, and work process design. Through hands-on experiences the student will gain a detailed understanding of h
HINT201	4 contact hours This course provides a detailed understanding of health information systems (administrative, patient, registration, ADT, EHR, PHR, lab, radiology, pharmacy and others) commonly available and in use in the U.S. health care delivery. An emphasis is placed on confidentiality, security and privacy policies and procedures. Students will work with an EHR to complete HIM processes within this course. Students are provided an overview of the technology selections process including negotiation and evaluation of a HIM technology. Students are introduced to Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED-CT) including a brief overview of its role in the health care delivery system as the basis for an electronic health record. This course also provides an introduction to data collection, warehousing and system architecture. This course requires two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week (4 contact hours). Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successful
HLTH210	This course provides the student with an introduction to health care organizational systems and related resources. Discussions will include history and development of health care in the United States. Students gain a theoretical understanding of various health care provider roles in the overall organizational planning, management, quality, and assessment pertaining to major health policy issues and disciplines in the United States. Topics will compare and contrast the delivery of health care to those of other countries. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110 Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
HLTH211	This course provides a foundation in management principles with special application and focus on the health care industry. The course will focus on organizational resource management in the health care industry including strategic planning, governance, leadership, change management, communication, human resource management, training and development, organizational development, financial management, ethics, project management and contract management. Case analysis will be applied through the discussion of various health care management-related situations. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110 Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
HLTH320	This course provides the students with an increased understanding of the role of the health care professional within the larger public health system. The student will study the structure and function of the public health system at multiple levels. Synthesizing the didactic materials will allow the student to create proposals that address specific public health problems. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110
PSYC127	This course explores the most recent, scientifically-based personal health information relevant to the entire lifespan. Students critically review health information from various sources and gain skill in analyzing their own health-related behaviors and attitudes. In the process, students learn strategies, techniques, and behaviors to optimize their own well-being and the well-being of their families. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
PSYC270	This course provides the basic knowledge in gerontological psychology and issues that concern the aging population. Students will discuss physical and mental issues of the aged. Other concerns of the aged, including social, financial, and support systems, will be identified. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
PSYC303	This course provides an introduction to the psychosocial growth and development of the human being through life. Students will explore the interaction of the psychological and physiological growth and the particular health concerns that impact each stage of development. Students will be expected to develop the ability to formulate plans that assist in the resolution of health care problems that are impacted by psychosocial development. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
CHEM150	This course emphasizes general chemistry principles, including introductory topics in organic chemistry and biochemistry for the health professions student. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): CHEM150L Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125
CHEM150L	(2 contact hours) This course is an introduction to general chemistry laboratory principles and techniques that accompanies CHEM150. Emphasis is placed on fundamental chemistry principles, organic chemistry, and biochemistry for the health professions student. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): CHEM150 Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125
BIOL110	This course provides a foundation in fundamental biological and cellular concepts common to plants, animals, and microorganisms. Topics include the chemical and molecular basis of life, metabolism, cellular reproduction, principles of inheritance, and evolution. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL110L
BIOL110L	(2 contact hours) This course is designed to provide the laboratory fundamentals of biological science at the cellular level. Students will focus on the scientific method, cellular structure and function, cellular energetics, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, and heredity. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL110

Medical Assisting (MEDA AAS)

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

Foundations of Excellence

Foundations of Health Professions

Major

Recommended Open Electives