Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Perform clinical competencies as required by the accrediting agency in a medical setting.
2. Apply general knowledge of vital signs, EHR documentation and various screening and diagnostic procedures in the medical setting.
3. Apply techniques that ensure medical asepsis and quality control in a medical setting.
4. Prepare patients for physical examinations and procedures.
5. Apply therapeutic, respectful, and professional communication techniques.
6. Communicate with patients using industry standard practices.
7. Apply patient-centered communication techniques.

Students completing this course will satisfy core curriculum requirements from the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), meet standards of accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

I.P.1. Measure and record: a. blood pressure; b. temperature; c. pulse; d. respirations; e. height; f. weight; g. length (infant); h. head circumference (infant)

I.P.3. Perform patient screening using established protocols

I.P.4. Verify the rules of medication administration: a. right patient; b. right medication; c. right dose; d. right route; e. right time; f. right documentation

I.P.6. Administer oral medications

I.P.8. Instruct and prepare a patient for a procedure or treatment

I.P.9. Assist provider with a patient exam

I.P.11.c. Obtain specimens and perform: CLIA waived urinalysis

I.P.11.e. Obtain specimens and perform: CLIA waived microbiology

APPLIED MATHEMATICS

II.P.1. Calculate proper dosages of medication for administration

II.P.2. Differentiate between normal and abnormal test results

II.P.4. Document on a growth chart

INFECTION CONTROL

III.P.3. Perform handwashing

III.P.8. Perform wound care

III.P.9. Perform dressing change

CONCEPTS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

V.P.1 Respond to nonverbal communication

V.P.2 Correctly use and pronounce med term in healthcare setting

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

VI.P.4. Perform an inventory of supplies

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

X.P.2.a. Apply HIPAA rules in regard to: privacy

X.P.3. Document patient care accurately in the medical record

AFFECTIVE BEHAVIORS

A.1 Demonstrate critical thinking skills

A.2 Reassure patients

A.3 Demonstrate empathy for patients' concerns

A.4 Demonstrate active listening

A.5 Respect diversity

A.6 Recognize personal boundaries

A.7 Demonstrate tactfulness

A.8 Demonstrate self-awareness

Students will demonstrate these learning outcomes by these tasks conducted individually and in cooperation with other students:

The goal of this course is to provide students with the basic clinical and communication skills to work in ambulatory care. Both clinical skills and patient communication skills are incorporated within each competency and students will be coached by faculty during practice. Students will apply information obtained from other courses (MA 117 & MA 112) as well as clinical lectures in order to meet the patient-centered communication standards and principles. Student performance will be measured by utilizing a clear set of competencies for each clinical skill. 

Students will answer theoretical and application questions in their weekly discussion posts and during class. Individual competency testing will take place after completion of clinical skill lecture and hands on practice. All clinical lab skills will be demonstrated by the instructor and students will be supervised by faculty as they work towards becoming competent. 

Structured lab will be held weekly. Students will work through their D2L course throughout the term that will provide supplemental information and homework. Each week their D2L course will contain readings, pre-lab work and critical thinking discussion questions. This course will also utilize a midterm and cumulative final to assess students' basic knowledge of clinical and communication skills.

pre-lab work must be completed by the assigned due date. Students will receive corrected pre-lab work from the course instructor prior to completing the skill in class. Critical thinking questions will be reviewed by the instructor weekly and are open for follow-up discussion in class.

Clinical competencies include the following; 

• Back Office Tasks

• Handwashing

• Height, Weight, BMI

• Temperature, Pulse, Respirations

• Blood Pressure

• Orthostatic Blood Pressure

• Infant Measurements

• Urinalysis

• Strep Throat Swab

• Distance Visual Acuity Testing

• Color Vision Screening

• Pap Tray Set-up

• Dressings & Bandages

• Oral Medication Administration

Students will demonstrate the following skills during clinical lab:

1. Perform clinical competencies as required by the accrediting agency in a medical setting.

2. Apply techniques that ensure medical asepsis and quality control in a medical setting.

3. Prepare patients for physical examinations, procedures and assist the physician.

4. Demonstrate the ability to instruct and prepare a patient for a procedure or treatment. 

5. Apply general knowledge of vital signs, EHR documentation and various screening and diagnostic procedures in the medical setting.

6. Measure and record the following; height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, height, weight, BMI, length (infant) and head circumference (infant). 

7. Perform patient screening using established protocols for distance vision acuity testing and color vision. 

8. Apply the "six rights" to proper medication administration. 

9. Demonstrate ability to administer oral medications.

10. Calculate the proper dosages of medication for administration. 

11. Apply communication techniques and behaviors in the clinical setting that are therapeutic, respectful, and professional.

12. Demonstrate professionalism with patient interviews and interactions.

13. Apply communication, clinical skills and teamwork in a mock clinic setting, utilizing competency skills completed in the program.

The following list outlines the concepts, themes, and issues you need to understand and be able to use appropriately. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding in written and oral form, individually and in groups.

• VITAL SIGNS

This module will give the student the skill in obtaining and recording vitals signs. Have an understanding of the procedures and an awareness of the significance of the results. The student should demonstrate the ability to obtain and record a patient's temperature, pulse and respiration accurately. Obtain and record patients blood pressure reading accurately. Perform height and weight measurements accurately and use a BMI table to graph results. 

• ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE AND INFECTION CONTROL

This module will acquaint the student with the importance of cleanliness and asepsis in a medical office. It will help the student develop proficiency in hand washing. The student will demonstrate and state the importance of cleanliness and medical asepsis. Perform a cleansing hand wash suitable for between patients. 

• SCREENINGS & TESTS

This module gives the student knowledge of and skill in preparing specific equipment in order to collect appropriate specimens and  instruct the patient regarding proper collection techniques. The student will understand the physician’s order, collect and test the patient’s specimen with accuracy and medical asepsis utilizing proper PPE. 

• PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

This module will give the student an understanding and competency in visual acuity testing with the Snellen chart. Screening test for color blindness. Positioning and draping patients for examination. Prepare examination trays and assist the physician as requested.

• DRESSINGS AND BANDAGES

This module will give the student knowledge of and skill in preparing and /or applying dressings and bandages. The student will apply sterile dressings. Apply bandages to the finger, hand, foot, arm and leg neatly and with enough tension that they will remain in place.

• MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

This module will give the student knowledge of rights of medication administration. The student will conduct basic medication calculations. The student will review the order from the provider, collect the proper dosage of prescribed medication, demonstrate the rights of medication administration and administer the medication to the patient.