Medical Assistant Certification Outline
One of the smoothest routes to a career in medical care.
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Medical Assistant Certification Programs
Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to help you prepare to take the next steps toward a career as a medical assistant online. You’ll cover the essential skills and knowledge that will be relevant to the job.
Program Orientation: Medical Assistant
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Identify the elements, expectations, and requirements of the program.
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Navigate the program using the pages, menus, and buttons provided.
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Use the program tools, including the study planner, gradebook, and completion report. Be able to contact CareerStep by phone, email, forums, chat rooms, and social media.
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Identify and use program-specific resources.
Medical Assistant Career Introduction
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Summarize the medical assisting profession.
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Summarize licensure, accreditation, certification, and registration for medical assistants.
HealthCare Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science
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Summarize the medical assisting profession.
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Translate medical terminology using abbreviations, word building, and important terms.
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Explain how nutrition knowledge relates to health and disease.
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Identify the role psychology plays in dealing with patients and their behavior.
Anatomy and Physiology Essentials
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Be able to name and explain all of the systems of the body.
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Describe the structure of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
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Describe the process of osteogenesis.
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Identify the bones in cell formation. Describe the overall structure of the muscular system.
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Describe the general functions of the nervous system.
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Describe the major sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
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List the general functions of the kidney.
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Identify the mechanisms of regulating water input and output.
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Describe the fetal stages and prenatal period.
General Patient Care
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Summarize the pharmacology basics needed by a medical assistant
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Outline the tasks required to prepare the examination room and the patient for examination.
Pharmacology Basics for Medical Assisting
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Identify the classifications of drugs.
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Review indications, side effects, and adverse reactions of various classifications of drugs.
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Interpret accepted abbreviations used in reference to medications.
Infection Control
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Review the causes and diagnostic methods of various infectious and communicable diseases.
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Explore the protective measures required to prevent infection.
Testing and Laboratory Procedures
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Identify how specimens are collected and handled.
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Explore procedures and processes used in obtaining blood and urine samples.
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Outline the standard components of vision and hearing screening tests.
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Review common techniques and processes frequently used in medical laboratories.
Externship Readiness Skills
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Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
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Develop effective time management skills.
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Enhance your creative and critical thinking.
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Integrate critical and creative thinking skills into your life.
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Learn physical and emotional coping techniques to deal with stress.
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Explore essential ingredients of the communication process.
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Acquire methods to maximize verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
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Relate the importance of professional image to career success.
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Learn strategies to write a powerful resume.
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Identify key elements of successful interviews.
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Relate the importance of good study habits to your personal success.
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Identify traits related to self-motivation and self-esteem.
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Incorporate a positive and professional attitude in dealing with others.
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Understand that failures are important learning tools.
Patient Care Coordination and Education
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Review how to administer and coordinate general patient care according to professional best practices.
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Explore the role and responsibilities in administering patient care.
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Explore the role and responsibilities in facilitating patient education.
Medical Administrative Assistant
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Describe the differences between common healthcare delivery models.
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Describe the types of services typically offered in medical offices, including general and specialty services.
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Define ancillary services and alternative therapies.
Communication and Customer Service in the Healthcare Office
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Identify the various types and styles of communication used in a healthcare office.
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Review how verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills contribute to patient experience and outcome in a health care office.
Comprehensive Electronic Health Records
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Demonstrate how patient records are used and regulated
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Complete tasks required for scheduling a patient
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Clinical information reporting
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Revenue cycle and financial reporting
Medical Laws and Ethics
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Describe common legal issues related to prescriptions and medication administration.
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Identify key legal and regulatory aspects of the healthcare environment.
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Analyze key ethical and legal aspects of the medical profession.
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Summarize common legal issues related to medical documentation.
Phlebotomy
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Identify equipment and supplies used to collect, store, and process blood samples.
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Describe common phlebotomy techniques.
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List correct steps in the process of taking blood.
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Explain patient care before, during, and after blood collection.
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Describe how to prepare and handle a blood sample.
Venipuncture Labs
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Describe the importance of taking a medical history before performing any invasive procedures
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Describe the importance of adhering to basic principles of sterility and asepsis
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Describe the basics principles of venipuncture
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Discuss various techniques of drawing venous, arterial, and capillary blood
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Discuss various types of injections (e.g. local and regional anesthetic injections)
EKG and Cardiovascular
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Identify the basic anatomy of the heart.
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List the steps needed to ensure proper functioning of ECG/EKG equipment (calibration, standardization).
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List the equipment and supplies needed to perform an ECG/EKG procedure.
Career Success in Healthcare
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Identify the basic anatomy of the heart.
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List the steps needed to ensure proper functioning of ECG/EKG equipment (calibration, standardization).
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List the equipment and supplies needed to perform an ECG/EKG procedure.
Medical Assistant Final Exam
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Identify the steps needed to be eligible for and effectively prepare for and access the final exam.
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Identify the format, restrictions, and policies of final exams, including scoring, retakes, allowed resources, and time limits.
Fundamentals of HIPAA
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Describe HIPAA basics.
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Understand the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rules.
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Describe the HITECH Act.
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Explain regulations for business associates.
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Summarize HIPAA documentation and training.
Initiating Your Externship
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Create your profile in the Learner Placement Portal.
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Review the externship preparation resources.
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Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
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Understand the benefits of an externship.
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Access externship participation eligibility requirements.
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Recognize the externship site placement process and considerations.
Clinical Externship Experience
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Earn hours and experience that lead directly to certification.
Program Completion: Medical Assistant
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Prepare to take the next steps after program completion.
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