Clinical Procedures for Medical Assisting

Catalog description

This course builds on the basic principles and concepts introduced in MAST 106, Fundamentals of Med ical Assisting. St udents’ progress from ba sic assessment skills, vital signs, an d positioning to more complex skills utilized in diverse healthcare settings. Critical thinking in clinical situations is introduced as students begin to use critical thinking skills to address situations and challenges of the health care professional. Students are introduced to collection of dat a ( medical history) and patient assessment (head to toe physical assessment), specimen collection and documentation in the med ical record. Students will develop skills necessary to assist the physician in the examination and treatment of patients, including pro cedures and examinations fre quently encountered in physician offices, clinics and selected inpatient care areas and ancillary services. The purposes, significance and interpretation of findings of commonly ordered laboratory test s/ diagnostic studies are introduced. Skills associated with methods of specimen collection including venipuncture, urine, stool, respiratory secretions, and wound drainage, are taught. Principles of patient education/preparation are stressed with specific procedure/skill instructions.