MAST 1080 Syllabus

Subject Code

MAST

Course Number

1080

Course Title

Medical Assisting Skills I

Prerequisites

Permission of department

Corequisites

None

Terms Offered

Credit Hours

Course Description

This course introduces the skills necessary to assist physicians with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes the skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and for setting up sterile trays. Students also explore the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include infection control and related OSHA guidelines, preparing patients and assisting physicians with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures, signs/mensuration, medical office surgical procedures, respiratory evaluations, and electrocardiography.

Course Outcomes

Infection Control and Related OSHA Guidelines

  • Define asepsis.
  • Use and maintain and aseptic techniques.
  • Discuss infection control procedures.
  • Prepare items for autoclaving.
  • Perform sanitizing procedures.
  • Perform sterilization procedures.
  • Identify chemical sterilizing agents.
  • Establish set up for any procedure requiring knowledge of aseptic techniques and sterilization of instruments and equipment.
  • Define the following as practiced within an ambulatory care setting a) medical asepsis, b) surgical asepsis.
  • Identify personal safety precautions as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
  • Select appropriate barrier/personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Perform handwashing.
  • List major types of infectious agents.
  • Describe the infection cycle including: infectious agent, reservoir, susceptible host, means of transmission, portals of entry, portals of exit.
  • Identify methods of controlling microorganism growth.
  • Define the principles of standard precautions.
  • Define personal protective equipment (PPE) for: all body fluid secretions and excretions, blood, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.
  • Participate in bloodborne pathogen training.
  • Identify the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regulations that impact healthcare practices.
  • Recognize the implications for failure to comply with the CDC regulations in healthcare settings.

Prepare Patients/Assist Physician with Age and Gender Specific Examinations and Diagnostic Procedure(s)

  • Demonstrate assisting the provider in all aspects of age and gender specific history and physical examination.
  • Use feedback techniques to obtain patient information including: a) reflection, b) restatement, c) clarification.
  • Use medical terminology correctly and pronounced accurately to communicate information to providers and patients.
  • Assist the provider with patient exam.
  • Obtain and record patient data.
  • Define coaching a patient as it relates to: a) health maintenance, b) disease prevention, c) compliance with treatment plan, d) community resources, e) adaptations relevant to individual patient needs.
  • Coach patients regarding: a) office policies, b) health maintenance, c) disease prevention, d) treatment plan.
  • Demonstrate patient positioning.
  • Instruct and prepare a patient for a procedure and/or treatment.
  • Prepare the examination room for a procedure.
  • Prepare an exam table.
  • Perform patient screening using established protocols.
  • Incorporate critical thinking skills when performing patient assessment and patient care.
  • Explain to a patient the rationale for performance of a procedure.
  • Show awareness of a patient's concern related to the procedure being performed.
  • Demonstrate documentation of patient care accurately in the medical record.
  • Demonstrate documentation patient education.
  • Document patient care accurately in the medical record.

Vital Signs / Mensuration

  • Explain the importance of vital signs and know normal limits.
  • Measure and record: a) blood pressure, b) temperature, c) pulse, d) respirations, e) height, f) weight, g) length (infant), h) head circumference (infant), i) pulse oximetry.
  • Document on a growth chart.
  • Analyze healthcare results as reported in: a) graphs, b) tables.

Medical Office Surgical Procedures

  • Identify surgical instruments.
  • Prepare a sterile field.
  • Demonstrate assisting the physician with minor surgical procedures.
  • Perform within a sterile field.
  • Perform wound care.
  • Perform a dressing change.

Cardiopulmonary

  • Explain the conduction system of the hear. Cognitive Comprehension.
  • Describe the electrocardiograph cycle as related to heart functions. Cognitive Comprehension.
  • Demonstrate preparation of a patient for the EKG procedure.
  • Perform electrocardiography.
  • Apply problem solving techniques associated with the EKG procedure. Psychomotor Mechanism.
  • Perform pulmonary procedures.(e.g.; MDI use, sputum collection, oxygen therapy, nebulizer)
  • Perform pulmonary function testing.