Core Standards of the Course
Strand 1
Students will interpret and apply medical terminology.
Standard 1
Identify basic structure of medical words associated with Medical Assisting.
Standard 2
Identify and utilize anatomical positions, planes, and directional terms.
Strand 2
Students will identify medical abbreviations in a healthcare setting.
Standard 1
Interpret and apply identified medical abbreviations.
Standard 2
Interpret indentified healthcare symbols.
Strand 1
Students will explore the medical assisting profession and its role in the healthcare setting.
Standard 1
Describe the job responsibilities of a medical assistant.
Standard 2
Analyze characteristics needed for a quality medical assistant and apply the skills necessary for obtaining employment.
Standard 3
Describe other healthcare professionals with whom medical assistants will work.
Strand 2
Students will analyze the legal and ethical issues that impact the medical office.
Standard 1
Identify the legal guidelines/requirements for a medical office.
Standard 2
Define classifications of law.
Standard 3
Explain malpractice and the terms associated with malpractice litigation.
Standard 4
Evaluate medical ethics and related issues.
Strand 3
Students will identify procedures that contribute to a professional and safe medical office environment.
Standard 1
Identify the elements important in the medical office.
Standard 2
Identify the duties of opening and closing the office.
Strand 4
Students will apply effective medical office communication principles in the healthcare setting.
Standard 1
Describe general guidelines for telephone communication.
Standard 2
Describe scheduling techniques.
Strand 5
Students will apply effective interpersonal communication principles in a healthcare setting.
Standard 1
Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal communication.
Standard 2
Identify effective listening skills/habits.
Standard 3
Identify communication barriers.
Standard 4
Contrast sympathy and empathy.
Standard 5
Describe the steps of the grieving process.
Strand 6
Students will accurately maintain medical records.
Standard 1
Identify the contents of a medical record.
Standard 2
Differentiate between subjective and objective information.
Standard 3
Discuss the legalities associated with the medical record.
Standard 4
Demonstrate the correct method of filing patient information.
Strand 7
Students will perform bookkeeping and financial functions in a medical office setting.
Standard 1
Differentiate between accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Standard 2
Discuss the difference between various methods of payment.
Strand 8
Students will perform proper insurance, coding, and billing procedures.
Standard 1
Identify terms associated with medical insurance.
Standard 2
Explain how to determine procedural and diagnostic coding.
Strand 1
Students will identify the body cavities and quadrants and the organs they contain.
Standard 1
Locate the body cavities and the organs contained therein.
Standard 2
Identify the four major abdominal quadrants and the organs in each quadrant.
Strand 2
Students will identify the structures and functions of the cell and tissues.
Standard 1
Differentiate between cellular transport mechanisms.
Standard 2
Identify the six levels of body organization.
Standard 3
Distinguish between the four basic tissue types.
Strand 3
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system.
Standard 1
Identify the layers of the skin.
Standard 2
Identify the appendages.
Standard 3
Describe the functions of the integumentary system.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the integumentary system.
Standard 5
Describe the signs and symptoms of infection and inflammation.
Strand 4
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Skeletal System.
Standard 1
Identify the functions of the skeletal system.
Standard 2
Identify the basic bones of the skeleton.
Standard 3
Distinguish between the following fractures:
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the skeletal system.
Strand 5
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Muscular System.
Standard 1
Identify the functions of the muscular system.
Standard 2
Differentiate between the three types of muscle tissue.
Standard 3
Contrast the differences between tendons and ligaments.
Standard 4
Identify the basic muscles of the human body.
Standard 5
Identify the signs and of disorders of the muscular system.
Strand 6
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Cardiovascular System.
Standard 1
Identify the components of the cardiovascular system.
Standard 2
Identify the functions of the cardiovascular system.
Standard 3
Identify the structures of the heart.
Standard 4
Locate the major arteries and veins of the cardiovascular system.
Standard 5
Describe the layers of and functions of blood vessels.
Standard 6
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Strand 7
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic/immune system.
Standard 1
List the functions of the lymphatic system.
Standard 2
Describe the functions of the major structures of the immune system.
Standard 3
Describe the human body’s lines of defense against disease.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the lymphatic and immune systems.
Strand 8
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Respiratory System.
Standard 1
Identify the structures of the respiratory system.
Standard 2
Describe the functions of the respiratory system.
Standard 3
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the respiratory system.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of respiratory distress.
Strand 9
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Digestive System.
Standard 1
Describe the functions of the digestive system.
Standard 2
Identify the structures of the alimentary canal organs and their basic functions.
Standard 3
Identify the structures of the accessory organs and their basic functions.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the digestive system.
Strand 10
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Nervous System.
Standard 1
Describe the general functions of the nervous system.
Standard 2
Differentiate between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Standard 3
Identify the structures of the nervous system and their major functions.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the nervous system.
Strand 11
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Endocrine System.
Standard 1
Describe the general functions of the endocrine system.
Standard 2
Describe what a hormone is and how it works.
Standard 3
Describe the major locations, secretions (hormones), and functions of the following glands:
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the endocrine system.
Strand 12
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Urinary System.
Standard 1
Describe the functions of the urinary system.
Standard 2
Identify the structures of the urinary system and their major functions.
Standard 3
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the urinary system.
Strand 13
Students will describe the anatomy and physiology of the Reproductive System.
Standard 1
Describe the functions of the reproductive system.
Standard 2
Identify the structures of the female reproductive system and their major functions.
Standard 3
Identify the structures of the male reproductive system and their major functions.
Standard 4
Identify the signs and symptoms of disorders of the reproductive system.
Standard 5
Review the following self examinations:
Strand 1
Students will examine basic concepts of asepsis.
Standard 1
Describe the infection control cycle.
Standard 2
Demonstrate disease prevention principles.
Standard 3
Apply personal safety procedures based on OSHA and CDC regulations.
Standard 4
Demonstrate procedures for the proper cleaning and sanitizing of instruments.
Strand 2
Students will obtain baseline vital sign information and compare it to normal values.
Standard 1
Measure and obtain the five baseline vital signs.
Standard 2
Define terms which describe normal and abnormal vital signs values.
Standard 3
Obtain body measurements for adults.
Standard 4
Obtain body measurements for infants.
Strand 3
Students will accurately obtain the patient history and assist with the physical examination.
Standard 1
Demonstrate the ability to obtain an accurate patient history.
Standard 2
Prepare the patient and the examination room.
Standard 3
Describe common procedures in medical specialties.
Standard 4
Assist the patient with ambulatory devices.
Strand 4
Students will discuss pharmacology principles and demonstrate accurate medication administration.
Standard 1
Classify common medications.
Standard 2
Describe the schedule for controlled substances.
Standard 3
Demonstrate how to find medication information.
Standard 4
Document medication administration.
Standard 5
Understand principles involved with prescription medication.
Standard 6
Perform accurate dosage calculations.
Standard 7
Identify the following “rights” of medication administration.
Standard 8
Demonstrate the procedures and describe the supplies for administering medications.
Standard 9
Describe the side-effects of medications.
Strand 5
Students will demonstrate the ability to assist with minor surgery.
Standard 1
Identify common instruments by name, use, and category.
Standard 2
Prepare the patient and the procedure room.
Strand 6
Students will demonstrate how to use the electrocardiograph machine.
Standard 1
Describe the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Standard 2
Prepare the patient for an EKG (ECG).
Standard 3
Identify other tests used to determine heart function.
Strand 7
Students will learn skills necessary to work in a physician’s office laboratory.
Standard 1
Describe procedures associated with urinalysis.
Standard 2
Describe terms and procedures associated with hematology.
Standard 3
Describe terms and procedures associated with microbiology.
Strand 8
Student will be able to respond to emergencies.
Standard 1
Learn basic lifesaving skills.
Standard 2
Learn basic first aid skills.
Strand 1
Students will successfully complete a clinical externship.
Standard 1
Complete a 160 hour minimum externship.
Standard 2
Externship evaluations will indicate satisfactory or higher rating.
Strand 2
Students will demonstrate professional attributes.
Standard 1
Demonstrate workplace skills.
Standard 2
Externship evaluations will indicate satisfactory or higher rating.
Benchmark 1-MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Benchmark 2-MEDICAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Benchmark 4-CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PROCEDURES