Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This is a 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.
Course is limited to students admitted into the program.

1. Develop an understanding of professionalism and how it relates to the delivery of health care.
2. Develop an understanding of the roles of the professional organization in defining ethics and providing educational opportunities.
3. Recognize and respond to verbal and non-verbal communications
    

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

1. Students are required to participate in class discussions, small group activities demonstrating an understanding of guest speaker presentations, lectures, handout materials, and audiovisual presentations.
2. Students are required to summarize guest speakers and maintain a directed practice journal.

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.
 

1. Psychology and Communications 

                The goal is to provide knowledge and skills in the basic psychological principles of self-understanding and social adaptability for                 communications and actions with physicians, employees and patients. Develop an awareness of how attitude influences the                         outcome of any given situation. Understand the principles of recognition and response to verbal and nonverbal communication.
        2.  Human Relations
                The goal is to develop an awareness and understanding of a culturally diverse workplace . Understand the adaptations of individual needs.
        3.  Ethical Behavior and Professionalism
                The goal is to develop ethical and professional behavior as it applies to the health care workplace
        4.  Office Management
                The goal is to provide knowledge and fundamental writing skills in basic office management, including the writing of procedure and  policy manuals, maintaining inventories, assisting a writer/lecturer and making travel arrangements
        5.  Reviews
                The goal is to give the student an opportunity to review first and second term material, thereby reinforcing learning and preparing                  for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Examination
        6.  Professional Organization
                   The goal is to prepare students to become professionals; understanding the roles of the professional organization in defining                        ethics and providing educational opportunities.
        7. Open Forums and Lectures
                    The goal is to provide an opportunity for guest lectures and/or a general class discussion on related subjects of interest to the                     class. Also to provide an open forum for the discussion of students directed practice activities and the various procedural                                 methods utilized at the clinical affiliations sites.

        8. Electronic Technology

                Understand the applications of electronic technology appropriate to medical assisting.