Medical Assisting (MA22)  Diploma


The Medical Assisting program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today's medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities that introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting

Graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assisting exam through the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

The Medical Assisting program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; phone 727.210.2350 (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575, Chicago, IL 60606; phone 800.228.2262.

NOTE: According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), a person may be denied the opportunity to take the certification examination and/or may be denied certification to practice Medical Assisting if the person has been convicted of a felony or any crime violating federal or state-controlled substance laws or other grounds as specified by law.

Career Opportunities: Graduates have many choices for future employment, including private physicians' offices, clinics, emergency care facilities, hospitals, and other health care organizations. Positions include medical assistant, transcriptionist, receptionist, insurance clerk, office manager, EKG technician, lab assistant (phlebotomist), and private duty care. The field is presently experiencing rapid expansion, and the trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.

Occupational Risks for Medical Assistants

Medical assistants work directly with providers and patients to provide health care and ensure patient safety. They can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks or hazards while performing their duties, including the following:

  • Exposure to infectious diseases
  • Sharps injuries
  • Blood-borne pathogens and biological hazards
  • Chemical and drug exposure
  • Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
  • Latex allergies
  • Stress

Nevertheless, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established protections that are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

As an accredited program, Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s Medical Assisting program teaches students about the hazards they face on the job and protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

Basic Skills (9 Credits)
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions decimals percents ratios and proportions measurement and conversion formula manipulation technical applications and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science the nervous and sensory systems learning and memory motivation and emotion intelligence lifespan development personality psychological disorders and their treatment stress and health and social relations.

3
Occupational Courses (39 Credits)
Required Courses:
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots prefixes and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots prefixes and suffixes) word building abbreviations and symbols and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts terminology and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology the Windows environment Internet and email word processing software spreadsheet software database software and presentation software.

3
MAST 1030
Prerequisite: MATH 1012

Introduces medication therapy with emphasis on safety; classification of medications; their actions; side effects; medication and food interactions and adverse reactions. Also introduces basic methods of arithmetic used in the administration of medications. Topics include: introductory pharmacology; dosage calculation; sources and forms of medications; medication classification; and medication effects on the body systems.

4
MAST 1061

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of medical assisting and its role within the broader healthcare field, emphasizing the importance of medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant's function as an agent of the physician. Students will gain knowledge of medical jurisprudence, professional behavior, and essential skills required for medical practice. Topics include an introduction to medical assisting, medical law, the physician/patient/assistant relationship, medical office litigation, ethics, bioethical issues, HIPAA, office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical records, electronic records, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, and professional communication.

6
MAST 1080

Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines; prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures; vital signs/mensuration; medical office surgical procedures and electrocardiography.

4
MAST 1090
Prerequisite: MAST 1080

Furthers student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician*s office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management; urinalysis; venipuncture; hematology and chemistry evaluations; advanced reagent testing (Strep Test HcG etc); administration of medications; medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness; respiratory evaluations; principles of IV administration; rehabilitative therapy procedures; principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.

4
MAST 1112

This course emphasizes the essential skills required for managing insurance claims and administrative tasks within a medical practice. It provides comprehensive information on filing insurance claims, understanding types of third-party plans, managed care policies and procedures, insurance coding conventions, and the application of computer skills in medical settings. Topics include managed care, reimbursement, coding, accounting procedures, electronic health records, and practice management software.

5
MAST 1120

Provides a review of anatomy and physiology per body system and fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted, including description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include review of anatomy and physiology and diseases of the body systems.

3
MAST 1130
Prerequisites: MAST 1030, MAST 1112, MAST 1090, MAST 1120, MAST 1080, MAST 1061

This course provides students with an in-depth clinical practicum experience in a medical office setting, allowing for hands-on application and reinforcement of professional skills. Students will engage in real-world tasks that require concentration, practice, and technical proficiency while integrating classroom knowledge into workplace functions. Additionally, the course includes a seminar component focused on job preparation, employment maintenance, and certification exam review. Topics covered include resume writing, job applications, interview techniques, professional correspondence, workplace expectations, and a comprehensive review of program competencies to support employment readiness and certification success.

8
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