Medical Assistant

ICATAP-MAAT Coursework

Medical Terminology:

Includes the principles of building a medical vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on the use of word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and root words used with a combining form to establish medical terms. The terms include operative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, as well as systemic and surgical terminology. Correct spelling, definition, and pronunciation of medical terms is stressed. Communication both written and verbal between health care professionals, and between the health professional and patient, is emphasized.

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Pharmacology: 

Presentation of the principles of pharmacology relating to the allied health professions. Instruction introduces the apprentice to patient education regarding medications, researching drugs in a drug reference, and the correlation of drug therapy and pathophysiologic conditions.

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Anatomy and Physiology:

The apprentice learns to recognize human body structure and function in health and disease states. Apprentices explore the causes, signs, and symptoms of diseases of the major body systems as well as the diagnostic procedures, usual treatment, prognosis, and prevention of diseases commonly diagnosed and treated in the medical office setting.

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Medical Lab: 

Introduces the apprentice to laboratory procedures commonly performed by medical assistants in a medical office setting. The MA apprentice learns about CLIA-waived routine laboratory procedures commonly performed in the ambulatory care setting. The apprentice obtains an understanding of laboratory safety requirements and federal regulations while performing specimen collection and processing, microbiology, and urinalysis testing.

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Clinical Procedure:

Introduces the MA apprentice to the clinical procedures performed in the medical office setting. The apprentice learns basic examining room skills including screening, vital signs, patient history, minor surgery, and patient preparation for routine and specialty exams in the ambulatory care setting. Course content includes principles of nutrition, pharmacology math, routes of medication administration, and parenteral techniques most commonly administered in the medical office. Apprentices gain knowledge of clinical procedures including how to perform an electrocardiogram, assisting with respiratory testing, coaching patients, and assisting with emergency situations.

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Medical Office (Administration):

Introduces the MA apprentice to office management, business administration, insurance and finance, and the electronic medical record (EMR) in the medical office.  Through testing, the apprentice will demonstrate an aptitude for the following office duties: filling, record keeping, telephone messages, front desk responsibilities, appointment scheduling, and how to keep an inventory of supplies.

Medical Assistant Review. Medical Assistant Exam strategies, practice, and review with practice tests. This is available to apprentices as long as needed.