El Cajon | San Diego Medical Assistant School

This course provides an overview of the human body. It introduces students to the structure, function, and diseases of the human body. It also introduces students to related terminology used in the clinical settings to describe body positions and parts. Students will be introduced to human cellular development and the impact of disease processes of each specific body system.

This course provides an overview of the human body. It introduces students to the structure, function, and diseases of the human body. It also introduces students to related terminology used in the clinical settings to describe body positions and parts. Students will be introduced to human cellular development and the impact of disease processes of each specific body system.

This course introduces the student to medical terminology as it relates to the anatomical structure of the human body. Emphasis is on body system root words, prefixes, suffixes, and introductory terminology. Medical language and accepted medical abbreviations are discussed in detail.

This course introduces students to pharmacology as it relates to a medical office setting. Students gain knowledge of Federal and State drug laws, general drug classifications, drug indications and contraindications, and inventory requirements. Nutrition and its effect on a patient’s health will also be emphasized.

Instruction on the principles and foundations of the medical profession. Instruction includes a history of the medical profession, types of medical practices, ethical and medico-legal issues, HIPAA regulations. This course also emphasizes the importance of therapeutic communications that exists between the medical professional and the patient.

Learn how to correctly code diagnostic and professional services rendered by the physician, necessary in billing for reimbursement by insurance companies. Emphasis is on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-(-CM). Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the HCPCS for Medicare claims, as well as electronic coding procedures. The course also includes procedures for the hard copy and electronic completing of the Universal HCFA-1500 insurance form for selected private insurance, HMO, PO, and Medicare.

This course provides students with an understanding of the proper procedures related to front office responsibilities. Emphasis is on responsibilities related to scheduling appointments and receptionist duties. Students will be instructed in the use of newest medical office communication systems and proper telephone etiquette. Other communication topics will include medical assistant’s responsibilities relating to the proper education and preventive techniques of patients.

This course revolves around various medical office management systems and provides students with knowledge in the proper procedures for recording and maintaining patient charts; proper charting techniques; filing and management systems. Mail management stresses both manual and electronic mail communications. Delivering services and specific handling of billing materials will be emphasized. Students will be introduced to dictation and transcription service, proper techniques for handling general office correspondence, letter writing, and composing routine correspondence.

This course is designed to provide the student with basic computer keyboarding techniques. Emphasis is on the mastery of the keyboard, which increases speed and maintains accuracy.

An introduction to the fundamentals of microbiology and use of the microscope. Laboratory procedures including urinalysis and other specimen collection techniques will be emphasized. Point of Care Test (POCT) for glucose and hematocrit analysis, as well as home pregnancy testing, will be covered. Emphasis will be placed on infection control protocols and quality assurance standards.

This course provides an introduction to the proper technique and procedures for performing phlebotomy. It includes needle technique, creating patient rapport, medical safety, and processes of keeping records. Instruction includes an introduction to needle sizes, vacuum tubes, wing-infused phlebotomy. Emphasis is placed on safety and proper handling and disposing of bio-hazardous wastes and sharps.

This course provides instruction on medication administration, drug measurement and review of various routes for administration of medications. Students gain comprehensive hands-on experience performing the following forms of injections; intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal.

This course provides instruction in patient preparation, charting of treatments, measurements of height and weight, and patient examination – vital sign recording will be emphasized. Students receive an orientation to patient services, which is requisite knowledge for not only the clinical health care provider, but for the administrative aspect of the healthcare profession. Instruction will encompass patient data collection, medical health history, and physical examinations. Students will learn to monitor vital signs for potential medical emergencies. This course also provides an introduction to electrocardiographs (ECG), characteristics of normal electrocardiogram rhythms and ECG procedures.

This course provides instruction in the procedures and protocol for the following specialty medical examinations; obstetrics, gynecology, male reproductive, pediatrics, urology, allergology, dermatology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, proctology. In addition, medical emergency procedures and in-office patient care for burns, strains, sprains, bruise, etc. will be included. Emphasis will be placed on the use of ambulation devices.

This course provides instruction in the principles of medical asepsis and proper procedures for managing infectious control. Instruction includes concepts of universal precautions, HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogen protection. Proper asepsis and cleaning of patient exam and treatment areas will also be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the use and care of personal protective equipment.

This course provides an overview of the medical assistant’s responsibility regarding minor, in-office surgical procedures to include asepsis, gloving procedures, armamentarium, basic procedures, and medications. Overview of general instrument classification associated with a general medicine practice.

This course offers an introduction to successful interviewing and resume development techniques. In addition, it provides information on effective networking and seeking out the appropriate job. Instruction is provided on correct workplace habits, professionalism, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Students will extern 160 hours in a medical setting under the direct supervision of the facility administrator and general supervision of the School’s program director. Students will receive hands-on application of their recently acquired medical skills and will develop the confidence to secure a career position.

This course will focus on ethical issues and scenarios that relate directly to employees and their work environment. Students will develop a clearer sense of how, as a future employee, their corporate code of ethics will relate to operational decisions made daily. Focus will be placed on organizational ethics, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, role of government, blowing the whistle, and ethics and technology

This course provides broad coverage of the field of psychology, introducing the basic concepts, theories, and applications that constitute the discipline. Topics covered include: sensation and perception, sleep and dreams, classical and operant conditioning, foundations of memory, motivation and emotion, nature and nurture, and personality.

This course introduces fundamental scientific concepts in Earth Science. Students will explore a broad spectrum of earth science topics from Earth’s position in the solar system to the delicate ecological
systems on Earth’s surface. Topics covered include: the scientific method, motions of earth, earth materials, plate tectonics, earthquakes, weathering, erosion, winds, atmosphere, weather, climate, oceans, and ecology and the environment.

This course covers basic mathematical topics in college math through everyday applications. The course first reviews fundamental math concepts such as whole numbers, fractions and mixed numbers, and decimals and then applies them to ratio, rate, proportion, and percent problems. Students will also be introduced to basic algebra concepts including simplifying, factoring, combining, and evaluating algebraic expressions.

This course provides an overview of current software packages used in the business environment. Students will learn to create, edit, print, and save effective documents using word processing software as well as the basics of creating a graphical slide show using presentation software. Instruction will include using software to create and edit spreadsheets with embedded charts and graphs. Real world application projects will test students’ skills in these applications.

This course presents a general overview of the history of the United States from pre-colonial times through the Reconstruction Era. It explores the cultural, political, geographical, economical, and technological changes that have shaped the United States as a nation. Through a chronological study of major events, people, and turning points in U.S. history, this course also provides tools for the critical thinking skills needed to interpret historical methods, points of view, and the meanings of events in historical contexts.

This course provides comprehensive instruction on the proper technique and procedures for performing phlebotomy. It includes needle technique, creating patient rapport, medical safety, and processes of keeping record. Instruction includes introduction to needle sizes, vacuum tubes, wing-infused phlebotomy. Emphasis is placed on safety, proper handling and disposing of bio-hazardous wastes and sharps. Students will perform 40 hours of externship in a medical environment under the direct supervision of a physician or authorized laboratory professional.

This course provides comprehensive instruction on electrocardiographs, including an overview of cardiovascular system, characteristics of normal electrocardiogram rhythms, procedures and quality assurance protocol. Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible to take the national certification exam.

This course provides comprehensive instruction in the core competencies associated with being a nationally recognized medical assistant through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The course includes medical topics including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical office operations, patient exam, and medical procedure techniques.