Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Required course which fulfills a portion of the curriculum for the Certificate in Medical Assisting.
The extent of transferability or credit allowed for the course would be dependent upon the institution and the program to which the student is transferring.
Students must also enroll in Medical Office Administrative Procedures Lab (MA 118) concurrently for laboratory practice of materials covered in this course.
 

1.Communicate appropriately and in a caring manner in a medical setting.
2. Apply understanding of legal and ethical issues he/she may encounter in the medical setting to enhance decision making.
3. Conduct and accurately record a health history.
4. Apply knowledge of the components of a clinical record and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
5. Recognize and apply appropriate accommodations for special needs and cultural differences within the healthcare setting.
 

Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) will be discussed in relation to each skill introduced during this course.  Students will learn how the healthcare system is changing and what role a Medical Assistant has in a PCMH model.  Small group work will take place, designed "pods," and larger classroom discussions will incorporate each pod.  

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

1.  Answer theoretical and application multiple choice questions on information covered in lecture and reading assignments.

2. Critical thinking activities with small groups.

3. Peer assessment of work within small groups. 
 

 (broad areas):
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.
l.0  PATIENT RECEPTION
Understand general office policies. Understand basic medical assisting clerical functions, bookkeeping principles and operational functions. Develop knowledge and skill to function effectively in the reception area of a physician's office making appointments, answering telephones and obtaining patient information.
2.0  APPOINTMENTS
Develop knowledge and skill in scheduling in and out of office appointments and maintain the appointment book as a legal document. Schedule and manage mock appointments for both inpatients and outpatients.
3.0  THE MEDICAL RECORD
Develop knowledge and skill in the initiation and maintenance of medical records. Create, manage and maintain mock medical records. Obtain and record patients histories. Understand medical record confidentiality and HIPAA. Students will also create charts they will use in other modules. Students will fill out patient registration forms, health history forms, medical release forms, immunization record forms, medication record forms and properly place them in the chart.
4.0   MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Develop knowledge and skills in creating, maintaining, protecting and preserving of the medical record in the physician's office. File mock medical records, reports and medical correspondence.
5.0  TELEPHONE TECHNIQUE
Develop knowledge and skill in the use of the telephone, handling incoming and placing outgoing calls with knowledge, efficiency and courtesy. Students will practice mock phone conversations practicing professional phone technique.
6.0  BANKING AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
Develop knowledge of banking terms and skills in accounting. Prepare bank deposits, post entries on days sheets. Perform accounts receivable procedures and billing and collection procedures. Post adjustments, process credit balance, refunds, NSF checks and post collection agency payments.
7.0  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RECORDS
Develop knowledge and skill in the maintenance of accounts receivable records including various billing methods and collection procedures. Students will properly fill out CMS-1500 forms.
8.0  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE RECORDS
Develop knowledge and skill in the maintenance of accounts payable records in the physician's office.
9.0  INSURANCE CONCEPTS AND PROCEDURES
Develop knowledge and skill in the processing of claims for submission to third party payers, including the knowledge of CPT coding.Apply managed care policies and procedures. Apply third party guidelines. Perform procedural and diagnostic coding. Complete insurance claim forms. Students will properly fill out CMS-1500 forms

10.0  THE COMPUTER IN THE MEDICAL PRACTICE
Develop knowledge of the basic vocabulary and language of computers and skill in learning the basic functions of a computer programmed for specific purposes in a medical office. Utilize computer awareness to maintain administrative and clinical equipment. Introduce electronic medical records (EMR).
11.0  MAIL
Develop knowledge and skill in handling written communications, both incoming and outgoing mail. Respond to and initiate written communication. Recognize and respond to verbal and nonverbal communication. Students will type up mock lab letters and mail them properly. Students will also fill out preset lab letter and properly mail them out.

12.0 PSYCHOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION

The goal is to provide knowledge and skills in the basic principles of psychology and self-understanding of social adaptability for communications and actions with physicians, employees and patients. Understand principles of recognition and response to verbal and nonverbal communication.