Medical Assisting Certificate (MED ASST CERT)
33 Credits
CERTIFICATE • 33 CREDITS • MED ASST CERT
The program is designed to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students are prepared in the basics of patient care, basic laboratory practices, and medical office procedures. Upon completion of course work and the practicum, students are eligible to take the certification exam of the American Association of Medical Assistants (CMA) and/or the American Medical Technologist Exam (RMA). The program follows the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) curriculum guidelines and the needs of communities of interest including a focus on soft skills.
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Major |
33 Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL115 | 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. Note: A grade of C or better is required to take the next course in the sequence. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. | |
| BIOL116 | 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Completion of BIOL115 with a C grade or above. | |
| 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 | 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): BIOL120, BIOL115 or BIOL221 and BIOL221L | |
| 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. | |
| MEDA254 | 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. 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 successfull | |
| MEDA255 | 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. 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL116 and HLTH101M; Medical Assisting Limited Enrollment Form submitted and approved and students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, including HBV or a signed waiver and | |
| 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 | Registration Internship/Practicum Note: Contact the Practicum Coordinator two semesters in advance of taking this course to begin the approval process. Approval for enrollment in the course is required by the Program Director. 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. Unless approved by the Program Director, 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). This course requires two hours of lecture and at least twelve hours of clinical experience per week. T | |
| OPEN | Open Elective | 3 |
Recommended Open Electives |
(3) Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL110 and BIOL110L | Foundations of Cell Biology and Foundations of Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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. |