Diagnostic Procedures and Infection Control

Catalog description

MA112 focuses on the medical assistant’s role in maintaining Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards while developing knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathology, treatment procedures, and disease prevention related to the cardiac, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems. Learners are introduced to principles of electrocardiography and common diagnostic procedures, including EKG assessment, angiography, cardiac catheterization, Doppler ultrasound, peak flow measurement, and spirometry. Instruction also covers infection control, medical asepsis, the chain of infection, and handwashing within the context of the body’s inflammatory response. Learners review CLIA- waived tests for common gastrointestinal disorders, develop dietary plans for special populations, practice medical terminology, document in electronic health records (EHR), and build career development and communication skills. The laboratory component emphasizes hands-on application of theory within the medical assistant’s scope of practice. Learners practice diagnostic and monitoring procedures, apply infection control techniques, perform CLIA-waived testing, and develop dietary plans for pregnancy and lactation, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. Core medical assisting skills reinforced throughout the course include administering intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), and intradermal (ID) injections; performing phlebotomy and capillary punctures; and operating EKG equipment.