powered by
Central Arizona College Back
Medical Assistant AAS Degree
Semester Hours:  60
Effective Term: Fall 2018
 Prerequisites: 1. RDG100, and MAT082
2. HS diploma or GED
3. PreProgram Requirements: After successful completion of all the General Education requirements, students must apply for admission to the program with the AAMA Program Director before enrollment in the degree program.
Corequisites: None


Program Description: The Medical Assistant AAS Degree prepares entry-level Medical Assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains as established by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).The degree includes general education requirements and prepares individuals to perform administrative and clinical procedures in ambulatory settings, including physician's offices, clinics, and group practices.

Prior to enrollment, consult the program director for specific mandatory requirements. Prior to enrollment in HPM175C, Core Requirements must be successfully completed. Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid certification is required before enrolling in HPM175C and must be current for at least 6 months after the start of HPM175C.



Recommended Proficiencies: None

Course Requirements
Medical Assistant AAS
Total Credits: 60

Pre-Program Requirements:
After successful completion of all the General Education requirements, students must apply for admission to the program with the AAMA Program Director before enrollment in the degree program. High school diploma or GED; MAT082, RDG100.

General Education Requirements (20)

Written Communications (3)
ENG101 English Composition III (3)

Oral Communications (3)
COM100 Fundamentals of Human Communication (3) or higher

Art and Humanities (3)
Select courses numbered 100 or above from the following: ART, HMC, LIT, MHL, PHI, and THE. Students may also choose any course from the Art and Humanities AGEC lists.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology (3) or higher

The required courses for Arts and Humanities and for Social and Behavioral Sciences must represent two different departments. For example, students may not take a HIS course to fulfill their Art and Humanities requirement, if they are using another HIS course to complete their Social and Behavioral Science requirement.

Physical and Biological Sciences (4)
BIO160 Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology (4)

Mathematics (4)
MAT118 Essential Mathematics (4) or higher

Core and Elective Requirements (12)
HCC100 Introduction to Healthcare (3)
HCC111 Healthcare Law and Ethics (2)
HCC112 Interpersonal Skills (2)
HCC113 Math and Dosage Calculations for Health Occupations (1)
HCC116 Medical Terminology (3)
AND
Select one Elective:
NTR 127 - Breastfeeding/Human Lactation (1)
NTR 134 - Healthy Weight for Kids (1)
NTR 136 - Management of Gestational Diabetes (1)
NTR 137 - Carbohydrate Counting (1)

Specialization Requirements (25)
HIM131 Introduction to Insurance and Insurance Billing I (3)
HPM140 Medical Assisting Skills I (4)
HPM141 Medical Assisting Skills II (4)
HPM162 Basic Pharmacology for Health Occupations (3)
HPM171 Administrative Medical Procedures (4)
HPM173 Pathophysiology (3)
HPM175C Medical Assistant Degree Practicum (4)

Other Requirements (3)
Computer Competency (3):
CIS120 Survey of Computer Information Systems (3)

Reading Competency:
RDG100 College Reading
or
Equivalent reading assessment test score

Students must earn:
-a grade of C or better in all required courses for this AAS degree;
-a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
-a minimum of 20 credits from CAC and;
-a minimum of 60 credits.

Program Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program the students will incorporate critical thinking based on cognitive knowledge in performance of psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) domains in their practice as medical assistants in the following areas:
1. General Education competencies applied to the following:
A.(Evaluation Level) Correlate the knowledge acquired in the general education courses to medical assistant concepts and practice. (CSLO#4)

2. Foundation for Clinical Practice: Provide patient care applied to the following:
A. (Application Level) Using knowledge of anatomy and physiology, perform the following tests: vital signs, venipuncture, capillary puncture, pulmonary function testing, ECG, patient screening, administration of oral and parenteral medications, quality control measures, CLIA waived hematology, chemistry, urinalysis and immunology testing while demonstrating respect for patient diversity. (CSLO#2)
B. (Evaluation Level) Using knowledge of applied mathematics, prepare and verify proper doses of medication for administration, maintain laboratory test results using flow sheets, distinguish normal and abnormal test results, nutritional values, and maintain growth charts. (CSLO#4)
C. (Synthesis Level) Using knowledge of microbiology/infection control, practice standard precautions using appropriate barrier/personal protective equipment, hand washing, sterilization techniques, and specimen collection and testing while showing awareness of patient rights, feelings and concerns. (CSLO#2)

3. Applied Communications competencies applied to the following:
A. (Analysis Level) Use concepts of effective verbal, nonverbal and written communications to analyze appropriate means of effective communication with patients verbally, nonverbally and in documentation of patient care. (CSLO#4)

4. Medical Business Practices competencies applied to the following:
A. (Synthesis Level) Using knowledge of administrative functions, manage scheduling and organization of patient medical records using electronic health care records and hardware and software to maintain office system while incorporating time management principles to maintain effective office functions. (CSLO#2)
B. (Analysis Level) Using knowledge of basic practice finances, apply basic bookkeeping procedures to manual and computerized systems used in ambulatory health care with implementation of time management principles to maintain effective office functions. (CSLO#4)
C. (Application Level) Using knowledge of managed care and insurance and procedural and diagnostic coding, apply these policies and procedures to implementing both managed care and insurance plans using third party guidelines and using effective communication with patients and managed care and insurance providers. (CSLO#2)

5. Medical Law and Ethics competencies applied to the following:
A. (Synthesis Level): Integrate knowledge of appropriate local, state and federal health care legal and ethical regulations and laws in providing patient care, practice within the standard of care and scope of practice for a medical assistant, apply HIPAA rules in regard to confidentiality, privacy and release of information, accurately document information and demonstrating sensitivity to patient rights. (CSLO#2)

6. Safety and Emergency Practices competencies applied to the following:
A. (Analysis Level) Using knowledge of safety and emergency practices, apply quality control measures in following health and safety policies and procedures to prevent illness and injury including recognition of the effects of stress on all persons involved in emergency situations. (CSLO#4)

(*All of the Learning Outcomes listed are based on the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Appendix B Core Curriculum for Medical Assistants 2015 Curriculum Plan.)

Standards for Program
1. Medical Assistant A.A.S. degree is accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are eligible to take the AAMA examination to become certified medical assistants (CMA).

2. Standards are based on the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Core Curriculum 2015 Plan for Medical Assistants. See Attachment below for the Standards for MAERB Core Curriculum.

This program is competency-based education that emphasizes skills and evaluates mastery of those skills according to the actual learner's performance. Each competency listed in the attached document of MAERB Core Curriculum 2015 Plan for medical assistants must be completed with accuracy, according to the correct procedures and within the time frame allowed.

Websites

AAMA Web Site
http://www.aama-ntl.org/

Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) Web site:
www.maerb.org

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) website for MA Standards:
http://www.caahep.org/documents/file/Publications-And-Governing-Documents/MedicalAssistingStandards.pdf

(*Learning Outcomes #2 A-E are based on the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Appendix B Core Curriculum for Medical Assistants 2015 Curriculum Plan.)

See Attachments:
1. CAAHEP Manual and Procedures
2. MAERB Core Curriculum
3. Advising Plans