Medical Office Assisting
Career Diploma
Program Outline
The Medical Office Assisting Course is comprised of 20 comprehensive lessons. They are easy to follow, yet challenging and stimulating at the same time. Each lesson begins with a subject matter preview and objectives, an introductory note from your instructor and a vocabulary builder of new words and terms.
Next comes the reading assignment. Practice exercises help you check and review what you've learned. At the end of the lesson is an open-book exam, which you may take online.
Kinds of medical specialists; staff responsibilities in a medical practice; running the front office; scheduling appointments; taking vital signs; using a computer; patient confidentiality.
Easy ways to understand word roots, prefixes and suffixes, plus common medical words and terms; analyzing word parts to determine their meanings; singular and plural forms; why learning medical terminology is important.
An overview of the major medical insurance plans; completing insurance claim forms correctly; familiarizing yourself with codes for medical procedures and diagnoses from the CPT and ICD-9-CM manuals.
The chain of infection; precautions regarding human tissue, blood, and fluids; reducing disease transmission; sanitation and sterilization; common diseases and tests.
Writing business letters; spelling and grammar; mailing procedures; anatomical directions; cell and tissue structure.
Using a calculator, check-writer, fax, dictation machine, and copier; PC basics; filing records; bookkeeping procedures; billing; collection methods.
Health insurance terms, plans, and forms; coding and processing claims; accounting procedures; payroll, tax, and personnel records.
How to plan your daily activities, set priorities, resolve schedule conflicts, and finish assignments on time.
Structure, function, and disorders of the nervous system, brain, spinal cord, sensory organs and integumentary system (including the skin and various membranes).
Structure, function, and disorders of the skeletal system; bone conditions; fractures; the muscular system; respiratory system.
Structure, function, and disorders of the circulatory system, heart, blood, blood vessels, lymphatic system, and immune system; scheduling immunizations.
Structure, function, and disorders of the digestive system, esophagus, stomach, and intestines; digestive system diseases; the urinary system; understanding kidney dialysis.
Structure, function, diseases, and disorders of the glandular and reproductive systems; diagnostic exams for diabetes, pregnancy and other common conditions; the birth process; sexually transmitted diseases.
Maintaining and sterilizing medical instruments; promoting a germ-free environment; preventing the transmission of disease; taking the medical history.
Guidelines for filling out the medical history form; the four vital signs and what they measure; how to take accurate measurements.
How to perform visual acuity and hearing tests; preparing the exam room; positioning and draping the patient; assisting in eye, ear, and other specialized exams.
Using a microscope; blood, urine, stool and sputum testing; throat cultures; bacterial smears and stains.
Assisting the physician with scratch tests, pap smears, sigmoidoscopies, electrocardiograms, and X-rays; skin punctures; vein punctures; common minor in-office surgical procedures.
=Pharmaceutical references; types of medication; recording and storing drugs; phoning prescriptions; discarding used syringes; injections; vaccines.
Common medical office emergencies; first aid procedures; resuscitation; applying bandages; fitting slings, crutches and canes; working with wheelchair patients.
Influences of diet, nutrition, exercise and weight control; recommended dietary allowances; principal nutrients; drug abuse; tobacco; alcohol.
Preparing your résumé; finding the most suitable career opportunities; tips on "acing" the interview.
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