AHMA - Allied Health: Medical Assist
AHMA 191 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()
AHMA 201 MA Clinical Procedures I: 4 Credits (4 Lec)
Performance of CLIA waived laboratory tests. Topics include specimen collection, phlebotomy, specimen processing, record keeping, universal precautions, infection control, and quality control.
AHMA 203 MA Clinical Procedures II: 4 Credits (4 Lec)
Patient assessment, physical examination and patient treatments including: vital signs, patient education, medical emergencies and assisting the physician in medical specialty examinations and minor surgery. Students will learn the theoretical, technical, and practical aspects of infection control, medical and surgical asepsis and EKG.
AHMA 207 Medical Assisting in Healthcare Specialties: 2 Credits (2 Lec)
PREREQUISITE: AHMA 201
COREQUISITE: AHMA 203. (Sp) AHMA 207 will focus on skill development in the ancillary areas of healthcare including ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dermatology, allergy and infectious disease, gastroenterology, orthopedic, rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, urology, male reproduction, obstetrics, and gynecology. Emphasis will be placed on specialty exams and medical assisting duties specific to each specialty
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View Course Outcomes:
- Prepare patients and assist providers with healthcare specialties such as: ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dermatology, allergy and infectious disease, gastroenterology, orthopedic, rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, urology, male reproduction, obstetrics, and gynecology.
- Prepare patients for specialty examinations and treatments. Includes basic patient prep including patient history intake and vitals.
- Demonstrate proper technique for patient prep, exam and treatment assistance, infection control, and documentation.
- Explain the terminology, anatomy, and physiology related to the healthcare specialties: ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dermatology, allergy and infectious disease, gastroenterology, orthopedic, rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, urology, male reproduction, obstetrics, and gynecology.
AHMA 209 Geriatric Care: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)
(Su) AHMA 209 covers knowledge and skill development for assisting geriatric patients in long-term facilities, home health, memory care, assisted living, and hospice. Topics include daily care, safety, communication, legal/ethical practices, emergency care, end-of-life care, medical terminology, human structure/function, and chronic conditions/disorders.
View Course Outcomes:
- Provide assistance to providers and nurses in basic geriatric patient needs and care. Includes patient room and equipment prep, patient comfort, rest, hygiene, grooming, nutrition, elimination needs, and palliative end of life care.
- Prepare patients for specialty examinations and treatments. Includes basic patient prep including patient history intake and vitals.
- Demonstrate proper safety protocols for infection control, patient transportation, workplace ergonomics, and basic first aid/emergency procedures.
- Demonstrate compassion for patients through communication and clinical skillset.
- Apply caregiver wellbeing practices to prepare for difficult patient scenarios and to combat career burnout.
- Identify the types of care facilities such as Long-Term, Home Health, Memory Care, Assisted Living, and Hospice.
- Recognize the terminology, anatomy, and physiology related to gerontology, including chronic conditions and disorders, mental illness, developmental disabilities, rehabilitation needs, and stages of dying.
AHMA 220 Phlebotomy: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)
COREQUISITE: AHMS 295. (Sp) The Phlebotomy course will focus on skill development in the performance of a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and standard precautions. Topics include vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary skin puncture, butterfly needles and blood culture, and specimen collection on adults. Collection of specimens from children and infants is discussed. Emphasis will be placed on infection prevention, patient identification, specimen labeling, quality assurance, specimen handling, processing, accessioning, professionalism, ethics, and medical terminology. Students will learn the theory and principles of CLIA-waived laboratory tests and complete at least 40 hours classroom/lab training. Clinical hours will be completed through AHMA221
View Course Outcomes:
- Follow standard operating procedures to collect specimens via vein puncture and capillary (dermal) puncture.
- Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions necessary, and substances that can interfere in clinical analysis of blood constituents.
- Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, specimen transport, and specimen processing.
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of body systems and general pathological conditions associated with the body systems, utilizing the appropriate medical terminology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and safety.
- Identify age-specific or psycho-social considerations involved in the performance of phlebotomy procedures on various groups of patients.
- Discuss the importance of specimen collection and specimen integrity in the delivery of patient care.
- Describe the importance of quality assurance and quality control in phlebotomy.
- Understand compliance to regulations and guidelines of governing agencies.
- Demonstrate effective communication used in a healthcare setting. ;
- Implement phlebotomy procedures and tasks within the classroom or lab setting in an accurate and professional manner. Procedures to include vein and capillary punctures on training and live arms, and the handling of artificial specimens.
AHMA 221 Phlebotomy Clinical Training: 3 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Lab)
PREREQUISITE: AHMS 295 and AHMA 220. (Su) This course includes clinical practice in specimen collection on adults, children, and infants as well as classroom certification exam preparation. Students will develop the skills, knowledge and attitude required for positions in a professional healthcare setting. At a clinical site, students will perform a minimum of 100 venipunctures during 100 non-paid externship hours. Emphasis is placed on infection control and prevention, proper patient identification, labeling of specimens, quality assurance, specimen handling, processing, and accessioning. Upon successful completion of AHMA 220 and AHMA 221, students will be eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) Phlebotomy Technician national certification
View Course Outcomes:
- Perform phlebotomy procedures and tasks, including vein and capillary punctures and non-blood specimen processing, in an accurate, timely and professional manner.
- Comply with all regulations and guidelines of governing agencies.
- Communicate effectively in the health care setting.
- Use phlebotomy equipment safely and effectively.
- Demonstrate basic understanding of quality assurance.
- Demonstrate professionalism, including initiative, appropriate interpersonal skills, teamwork, respect, and caring.
- Assess acquired knowledge and skills through certification examination preparation.
AHMA 280 Med Assisting Exam Prep: 1 Credits (1 Other)
Preparation for the AMT (American Medical Technologists) registration exam and/or AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) certification exam.
AHMA 291 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()
AHMA 298 Medical Assisting Externship: 4 Credits (4 Other)
PREREQUISITE: AHMS 295. (F, Sp, Su) Practical experience in physicians’ offices, medical/dental clinics, surgical centers, and hospital environments under supervision. This is a non-paid externship and consists of 160 hours
View Course Outcomes:
- Perform a variety of daily tasks and procedures under the supervision of a clinic staff member.
- Maintain a student case log or checklist to ensure a variety of routine and advanced tasks and procedures are performed and attendance is documented for a minimum of 160 clock hours.