An introduction to hospital and medical staff organization. Emphasis is placed on procedures in filing, numbering and retention of patient records, quantitative analysis, release of medical information, forms control, and health care reimbursement. The structure, meaning, and use of medical terms with emphasis on those relating to disease of and operations performed on the human body. Systems studied include integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, genitourinary, digestive and pharmacology. The transcription of medical dictation from prerecorded tapes.
Emphasis is placed on the use of medical and pharmacological terminology.
The course covers the clinical functions performed by the medical assistant in a provider's office or clinic. Topics include the medical assistant's role, assessment of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, assisting the provider with procedures and diagnostic testing, electrocardiography, communication and client education, ethics, medications, and nutrition. Credit A study of the administrative functions involved in managing and working in a physician's office or clinic setting with emphasis on interpersonal relations, computerization of the medical office, confidentiality of health information, management of office personnel, appointment control, accounting records maintenance, financing health care, and health insurance claim processing. A supervised externship, coordinated by a faculty member, in a physician's office with adequate facilities to provide varied work opportunities in the major aspects of medical office administration. Students will work under the supervision of a qualified individual in the physician's office to which they are assigned.