Medical assistants perform tasks to help keep the offices of physicians, and other health practitioners, laboratories, clinics, hospitals, surgery centers, and other organizations such as American Red Cross Blood Banks running smoothly. They can perform administrative tasks like updating and filing medical records and arranging for hospital admissions as well as other general office procedures like managing multi-line phones and patient waiting room. Common clinical tasks also include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, collecting specimens and performing basic laboratory tests, and sterilizing medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, give shots, remove sutures, and change dressings. Sign up today to reserve your spot in the nine-month Medical Assistant program at Salina Tech that includes over 300 hours of supervised clinical experience!
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Admission Requirements
Program Requirements / Clinical Participation
Note: It is strongly recommended that students work a limited number of hours due to the heavy curriculum load that is required by this program.
| Medical Assistant Certificate | ||||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits | |
| MED 101 Professional Issues | 2 | MED 120 Diagnostic Procedures | 2 | |
| MED 102 Introduction to Computers | 1 | MED 121 Patient Care II | 4 | |
| MED 103 Medical Terminology | 3 | MED 123 Administrative Aspects II | 4 | |
| MED 110 Human Body | 3 | MED 125 Clinical Laboratory Procedures | 4 | |
| MED 111 Patient Care I | 3 | MED 131 Clinicals for the Medical Assistant | 4 | |
| MED 113 Administrative Aspects I | 3 | |||
| MED 115 Insurance Billing and Coding | 3 | |||
| MED 117 Pharmacology | 3 | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS: | 21 | TOTAL CREDITS: | 18 | |
| TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDITS: | 39 | |||
Associate of Applied Science Degree: 60 Credits. To complete the Associate of Applied Science Degree, select 15 more credits from the General Education requirements found in the Degree and Certification Information section plus 6 credits from other technical education courses. Visit with your instructor or the Director of Student Services for possible options.
MED 101 Professional Issues, 2 credits.
This course focuses on the basic concept of professional practice of medicine and the role and function of the medical assistant. Students discuss the personal and professional characteristics and legal and ethical standards for medical assistants, explore professional and personal therapeutic communication, and address time management and goal setting.
MED 102 Introduction to Computers, 1 credit.
The course is a brief introduction to computers to include: computer hardware, software, Microsoft Office application skills, keyboarding skills, the Internet and Internet searching, careers and computer ethics.
MED 103 Medical Terminology, 3 credits.
The content of this course focuses on the introduction to medical terminology. Vocabulary is explored to structure of word, prefixes, suffixes and root words. Emphasis is on proper usage, pronunciation, spelling and definition of each of the structures commonly used in the medical field.
MED 110 Human Body, 3 credits.
This course focuses on the basic structure and function of the human body, from cells through systems to the human organism, with emphasis on the interaction of systems and physiological functions.
MED 111 Patient Care I, 3 credits.
This course introduces basic clinical skills necessary for medical assistants. Presents aseptic practices for the medical office and studies patient interaction such an interviewing, obtaining, evaluating and documenting vital signs and assisting with basic physical exams and testing.
MED 113 Administrative Aspects I, 3 credits.
This course contains the administrative skills of the health care team member. These skills include effective telephone techniques, scheduling patients for appointments, management of facilities, records management, and use of office equipment.
MED 115 Insurance Billing and Coding, 3 credits.
This course is designed to educate the health care team member with the mechanics of submission of electronic/paper insurance claim forms and current industry coding for medical office treatments and procedures.
MED 117 Pharmacology, 3 credits.
Focus is on the medical assistant’s role in the calculation, preparation and administration of various medications. Studies include administration of injectable, topical, oral and buccal medications. Return demonstrations are also required.
MED 120 Diagnostic Procedures, 2 credits.
Course content focuses on the specialized procedures associated with the human body systems covered in MA 110 Human Body.
MED 121 Patient Care II, 4 credits.
This course focuses on expanding the knowledge gained in MA 111 Patient Care I and MA 117 Pharmacology. It presents more complex and independent procedures performed by the medical assistant. Minor surgical procedures, physical therapy, sterile procedures, emergency procedures and medication administration by injection and intravenous are addressed.
MED 123 Administrative Aspects II, 4 credits.
This course combines previous coursework as an introduction to the expanded role of the medical assistant as the medical office manager. Students produce and edit medical transcriptions from a series of taped reports and prepare a variety of medical documents. Professional communications, job-seeking and interviewing skills, expanded practice in topics covered in Administrative Aspects I and other skills include effective telephone techniques, scheduling patients for appointments, management of facilities, records management, and use of office equipment.
MED 125 Clinical Laboratory Procedures, 4 credits.
This course addresses the role and function of the professional in the clinical laboratory setting. Topics include safety, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA) government regulations, and quality assurance in the laboratory. Students learn concepts and perform procedures in the different departments of the laboratory, including specimen collection, and performance of CLIA 88 low –and/or moderate-complexity testing. Students demonstrate competency in a wide variety of techniques used to collect, process and test specimens.
MED 131 Clinicals for the Medical Assistant, 4 credits.
This is the application phase of the Medical Assistant program which is designed to give students an opportunity to apply and practice the principles and procedures learned while participating in supervised, non-remunerative clinical experiences in physicians’ offices and clinics. Students are expected to adapt to the rules and routines of the individual medical office. Evaluation is based on the student’s preparation for duties, active participation, attendance and professionalism.
