2009 Mississippi Curriculum Framework: Postsecondary Medical Assisting Technology. (Program CIP-51.0801 - Medical /Clinical Assisting)
Author: Roberson, Kaye
Date: 2009-00-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: Allied Health Personnel,Allied Health Occupations Education,Postsecondary Education,Community Colleges,Vocational Education,College Curriculum,Course Descriptions,Academic Standards,Competence,Course Objectives,Skills,Associate Degrees

As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate effectively; think creatively, solve problems, and make decisions; and interact with each other and the technologies in the workplace. Vocational-technical programs must also adopt these practices in order to provide graduates who can enter and advance in the changing work world. The curriculum framework in this document reflects these changes in the workplace and a number of other factors that impact on local vocational-technical programs. Medical Assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession whose practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health-care delivery team and perform many administrative and clinical procedures. The business administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients; obtaining patients' data; maintaining medical records; handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports, and manuscripts; assuming responsibility for office care; and handling insurance matters, office accounts, fees, and collections. The clinical duties vary according to state law and may include preparing patients for examination, obtaining vital signs, taking medical histories, assisting with examinations and treatments, performing routine office laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms, preparing and administering medications and immunizations, sterilizing instruments and equipment for office procedures, and instructing patients in preparation for X-ray and laboratory examinations. Both administrative and clinical duties involve purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment. A medical assistant may also be responsible for personnel and office management. Successful completion of this program entitles graduates to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) American Association of Medical Assistant (AAMA) Certification/Recertification examination. This program is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, and (727) 210-2350. This curriculum references the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Medical Assisting. Medical Assisting Technology is a 2-year Associate of Applied Science Degree program. CPR-Health Care Provider is a prerequisite to the program. Appended are: (1) CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for Medical Assisting Educational Programs; (2) Related Academic Standards; and (3) 21st Century Skills. A list of suggested references is provided for each unit. (Contains 3 footnotes.)