Medical Assistant (MA)

Introduces the knowledge, skills, and attributes of a successful Medical Assistant while exploring the connection between patient experience and patient outcomes. Summarizes the clinical and employability skills required for providing clinical care while introducing content for career exploration.

MA-150 Medical Office Practices 4 credits, Fall

Focuses on administrative skills performed by the Medical Assistant in the ambulatory care setting. The course examines medical law and ethics, bioethics, communication, principles of confidentiality, critical thinking, diversity, and medical office function.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: HP-110.
MTH-050 or MTH-065. WR-101 or WR-121Z
Prerequisites: BI-120, or BI-231 & BI-232 & BI-233
Recommended Prerequisites: MA-100 and PSY-101
Corequisites: MA-152, MA-152L, MA-154, and MA-158

MA-152 Examination Room Techniques I 3 credits, Fall

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental skills required for medical assisting in an exam room setting. The course will focus on the basic skills needed for patient interactions, documentation, and vital signs.

MA-152L Examination Room Techniques I Lab 1 credits, Fall

MA-154 Body Systems and Pharmacology 4 credits, Fall

Introduces the medical assistant student to the foundational concepts and principles of pharmacology; including the classifications of common medications including indications for use, desired effect, side effect, adverse effects, and patient education. Related pathophysiology and body systems will be discussed and reviewed.

MA-156 Phlebotomy I 1 credits, Winter

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental skills required for phlebotomy as a medical assistant. Students will become familiar with phlebotomy equipment and learn about basic blood collection procedures. The course will focus on the basic skills needed for patient interactions, documentation, and various phlebotomy techniques.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: MA-150, MA-152, MA-152L, MA-154, and MA-158
Corequisites: MA-156L, MA-160, MA-162, MA-162L, MA-164, MA-164L, and MA-168

MA-156L Phlebotomy I Lab 1 credits, Winter

This lab is designed to apply the hands-on skills that were introduced to students in the lecture class. This lab is designed to introduce students to the fundamental skills required for phlebotomy as a medical assistant. Students will become familiar with phlebotomy equipment and learn about basic blood collection procedures. The course will focus on the basic skills needed for patient interactions, documentation, capillary punctures and various phlebotomy techniques.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: MA-150, MA-152, MA-152L, MA-154, and MA-158
Corequisites: MA-156, MA-160, MA-162, MA-162L, MA-164, MA-164L, and MA-168

MA-158 Seminar I 2 credits, Fall

This course introduces professionalism in the healthcare setting and explores clinical placement opportunities. Students will demonstrate compliance with Oregon Health Authorities rules for students in clinical training and obtain volunteer experience with a community partner.

MA-160 Insurance & Health Information Management 3 credits, Winter

This course introduces medical assisting students to practical applications for billing medical insurance both manually and electronically. The course is designed to instruct the student in all phases of billing and insurance procedures and entry-level Electronic Health Record software for the management of medical records. The students are also introduced to basic ICD-10 Diagnosis and Procedural coding skills. This course is required for medical assistant students. This course does not meet the requirements for Insurance Coder certification.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: MA-150, MA-152, MA-152L, MA-154, and MA-158
Corequisites: MA-156, MA-156L, MA-162, MA-162L, MA-164, MA-164L, and MA-168

MA-162 Examination Room Techniques II 3 credits, Winter

This course builds upon the foundational skills introduced in Examination Room Techniques I. The course will focus on advanced medical assisting skills such as medication administration, patient care interactions, immunization, special exam procedures, EKGs, and assisting providers. This course will incorporate specialty clinics and advanced procedures.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: MA-150, MA-152, MA-152L, MA-154, and MA-158
Corequisites: MA-156, MA-156L, MA-160, MA-162L, MA-164, MA-164L, and MA-168

MA-162L Examination Room Techniques Lab II 1 credits, Winter

This lab is designed to apply the hands-on skills that were introduced to students in the lecture class. This lab will cover hands-on skills required for medical assisting in an exam room by adding advanced procedures to the basic rooming techniques. The lab will include advanced medical assisting skills such as medication administration, patient care interactions, immunization, special exam procedures, EKGs, and assisting providers. This lab will incorporate specialty clinics and advanced procedures.

MA-164 Clinical Lab Procedures I 1 credits, Winter

This theory course is designed to instill a basic understanding of common laboratory terminology and procedures used in a general medical office laboratory to aid the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Laboratory safety, the prevention of bloodborne disease transmission and scope of practice will be emphasized. First course in the Clinical Laboratory Procedures series.

MA-164L Clinical Lab Procedures I Lab 1 credits, Winter

This laboratory course is designed to instill a basic understanding of common laboratory terminology and procedures used in a general medical office laboratory to aid the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Laboratory safety, the prevention of bloodborne disease transmission and scope of practice will be emphasized. This is the first lab course in the Clinical Laboratory Procedures series.

MA-166 Phlebotomy II 1 credits, Spring

The focus of this course builds upon the foundational skills introduced in Phlebotomy I. The course will focus on advanced phlebotomy techniques such as blood specimen processing, techniques for syringe draws, collection into the correct evacuated tube (additive), specimen handling procedures, collections of newborn screen blood cultures, and advanced phlebotomy techniques.

Required: Student must be enrolled in current Medical Assistant cohort
Prerequisites: MA-156, MA-156L, MA-160, MA-162, MA-162L, MA-164, MA-164L, and MA-168
Corequisites: MA-166L, MA-174, MA-174L, MA-178, and MA-188

MA-166L Phlebotomy II Lab 1 credits, Spring

The focus of this course is to demonstrate appropriate blood specimen procurement techniques using vacutainer, syringe, 'winged infusion'/butterfly with syringe and capillary puncture methods and associated safety techniques. Other specifics of the blood specimen testing requirements, such as collection into the correct evacuated tube (additive), specimen handling procedures, collections of newborn screen and collection documentation are also covered; while assuring a safe, confidential and professional environment for the patient, and as the phlebotomy technician.

MA-168 Seminar II 2 credits, Winter

This course will expand on professionalism within the healthcare setting and students will interview and obtain clinical practicum placement.

MA-174 Clinical Lab Procedures II 1 credits, Spring

Designed to instill a basic understanding of simple, common laboratory terminology and procedures used in a general medical office laboratory to aid the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Laboratory safety, the prevention of blood born disease transmission and scope of practice will be emphasized. Continuation of the Clinical Laboratory Procedures series.

MA-174L Clinical Lab Procedures II Lab 1 credits, Spring

This lab course is designed to instill a basic understanding of common laboratory terminology and procedures used in a general medical office laboratory to aid the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Laboratory safety, the prevention of bloodborne disease transmission and scope of practice will be emphasized. Continuation of the Clinical Laboratory Procedures series.

MA-178 Medical Assistant Practicum 9 credits, Spring

Under supervision within the ambulatory care setting, the student will apply both administrative and clinical knowledge and practices as attained within the medical assistant course curriculum.

MA-188 Certification Exam Review 2 credits, Spring

This course is a medical assistant study prep course designed to prepare students for their national credentialing examination.