It is essential for students to have knowledge of drug indication, precautions, common side effects, adverse reactions, routes of administration, dosage and storage. Drug standards and laws governing their use are discussed. Dosage calculations emphasized. Insurance billing, handling of insurance claims, and abstracting from medical records are studied. Students develop skill and confidence necessary to obtain blood specimens for hematological and blood chemistry tests via skin puncture and venipuncture.
Students perform diagnostic tests using blood drawn in laboratory.
Seminar is held to review personal experience and medical specialties. Registration in this course requires that students purchase liability insurance through the college and travel to an off-campus site. Students participate in clinical practice without pay, according to American Association of Medical Assistants guidelines and affiliation agreement.