Course Descriptions

Medical Careers

MC 106 ..................................................Medical Law & Ethics (2)
Prerequisites: None. Required for all Medical Careers majors.
Introduces legal and ethical aspects pertinent to allied health professionals. Fundamentals of statutes and common laws that govern the delivery of health care and professional relationships are introduced. Principles of medical ethics are directly correlated to the principles of law. Federal and state regulatory agencies are defined as they pertain to patient care. Bioethical issues related to health care are reviewed and discussed.

MC 140 ..................................................Medical Terminology (3)
Prerequisites: Required for all Medical Careers majors their first semester of classes. Must receive a B- or better. This is a prerequisite course and must be completed with the appropriate grade in order to enroll in most program courses. A repeat of this course will only be allowed once. Studies the definition, pronounciations, spelling, and correct usage of medical terms and
abbreviations. Emphasizes mastery of prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms and plural forms. Use of a medical dictionary and other medical reference material is practiced.

MC 170 ..................................................Introduction to Pharmacology (2)
Prerequisites: MC 140
Studies the interactive properties of medicine on the human body as it applies to health care professionals. Also reviews basic math concepts in medication dispensing.

MC 197 ...................................................Medical Coder Certificate Internship (2)
Prerequisites: MC 226, MC 228 Last semester, Department Chair approval. Required for Medical Coders.
Provides a minimum of 120 hours of directed work and service-learning experience in a clinical site where medical coding skills can be performed. Students are under supervision with ongoing evaluation of performance. Will exhibit service skills and perform various assignments relative to responsibilities of a medical coder. Students shall not receive pay for service-learning internship hours. This is a designated service- learning course.

MC 198 ............................................................Medical Transcription Certificate Internship (2)
Prerequisites: Last semester, Program Director approval. Required for Medical Transcriptionists.
Provides a minimum of 120 hours of directed work and service-learning experience in a physician?s office, hospital records department, clinic records department or facility with focus on transcription of medical records. Students, under supervision and with ongoing evaluation of performance, exhibit skills and perform assignments relative to the responsibilities of a Medical Transcriptionist. Students shall not receive pay for servicelearning internship hours. This is a designated service-learning course.

MC 199 ..................................................Medical Careers Co-op (2)
Prerequisites: Department Chair approval of position required. Employment in a field related to the major or participation in a volunteer position by the end of the second week of the semester. If a volunteer opportu nity is needed, contact the co-op director one month prior to the beginning of the semester for assistance.
Provides work experience in student’s major field of study with a one-hour weekly lab during the first four weeks of the semester. Students develop measurable learning objectives that can be documented and accomplished during the semester. Co-op prepares students to relate classroom study with on-the-job application of knowledge and skills. Contact by the co-op director with the employer will enable the employer to offer feedback on performance and knowledge acquired. Two objectives and a minimum of 40 work hours are required per credit hour with 1-5 credit hours possible. It is required for the student to register for the number of credit hours he or she plans to take. Grading is on a pass/fail basis. Call 524-8118 for Co-op information.

MC 200 ..................................................Introduction to Medical Lab Procedures (3)
Prerequisites: MC 140, LS 265; MC 201 concurrently. Required for Medical Assistants and Executive Medical Assistants.
Presents the fundamentals of the purposes, techniques and recording of diagnostic laboratory procedures commonly performed; e.g., urinalysis, hematology, white blood count and cultures. Emphasizes patient preparation for diagnostic studies, preparation of specimens for laboratory study and safety measures.

MC 201 ..................................................Laboratory Procedures Lab (0)
Prerequisites: MC 140, LS 265; MC 200 concurrently. Required for Medical Assistants and Executive Medical Assistants.
Provides supervised practice in performing the procedures learned in MC 200. Skills learned and practiced include: use of equipment, completion of tasks within a specified time requirement and completion of tasks to a level of proficiency indicated by the textbook and deemed appropriate by the instructor.

MC 210 ..................................................Clinical Medical Assisting (Service Learning) (5)
Prerequisites: MC 140, LS 265; MC 212 concurrently. Required for Medical Assistants and Executive Medical Assistants.
Presents communication and professionalism as it relates to the medical assistant in the ambulatory patient care setting. Techniques for preparing and caring for the patient during various specialty exams are presented. Emphasizes asepsis, sterilization of equipment, care of surgical instruments, taking and recording vital signs, basic pharmacology and administering of medications, including injections. Includes the role of the medical assistant in minor surgical procedures, patient treatments, EKG, radiology, first aid and medical emergencies. CPR certification is earned by the student as a part of this class.

MC 212 ..................................................Clinical Procedures Lab (0)
Prerequisites: MC 140, LS 265; MC 210 concurrently. Required for Medical Assistants and Executive Medical Assistants.
Provides opportunity for supervised practice of procedures learned in MC 210. Satisfactory performance will be measured against the standards and competencies set forth by AAMA accreditation requirements. These procedures include proper use of equipment as well as task completion within a time frame and to a level of proficiency deemed appropriate by the instructor.

MC 226 ..................................................Beginning Coding (2)
Prerequisites: MC 140 concurrent. Required for Executive Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Coders.
Introduction of procedural coding in CPT, HCPCS and other nomenclatures. Introduces students to skills needed to accurately complete and process insurance forms using current coding systems. Emphasizes understanding in basic CPT codes and nomenclature. Includes ethics involved in handling confidential medical data and billing/coding issues. Students that require this course must enroll in Fall semester; course offered only in Fall semester.

MC 228 ..................................................Intermediate Coding (4)
Prerequisites: MC 140, MC 226. Required for Medical Coders, optional for Medical Administrative Assistants, Executive Medical Assistants.
Continuation of MC 226 with more advanced practice in ICD-9-CM codes. Prepares students to sit for national certification through AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). Students that require this course must enroll in Winter semester; course offered only in Winter semester.

MC 231 ..................................................Medical Office Procedures (4)
Prerequisites: Type 25 cwpm (30 recommended), IT 120, MC 140, BAS 129. Required for Medical Assistants, Executive Medical Assistants, and Medical Administrative Assistants
Presents the fundamentals of medical office management including reception techniques, appointment scheduling, telephone management, mail handling, preparation of an office policy manual, financial record keeping and insurance billing. Students become proficient at coordinating work schedules and managing time. Explores a variety of filing systems. Provides experience in processing records for outpatient settings. Addresses ethical and legal requirements and restrictions for record retention, transfer, and disposal. Introduces students to using a medical office software program that facilitates scheduling, patient record keeping, billing, insurance filing and other data entry needs.

MC 235 ..........................................................Medical Transcription (3)
Prerequisites: Type 50 cwpm (75+ recommended), MC 140, BAS 137 concurrently, IT 120, IT 109. Required for Executive Medical Assistants, Medical Administrative Assistants, and Medical Transcriptionists.
Provides instruction in the fundamentals of machine transcription of medical dictation including error control and speed building. Increases familiarity with basic and specialty medical terminology and with various types of medical reports and documents. Stresses practice in using reference materials and proofreading.

MC 283 ..................................................Externship for Medical Assistants & Executive Medical Assistants (Capstone) (3)
Prerequisites: Last semester, department chair or program director approval is required. Required for Medical Assistants and Executive Medical Assistants.
Provides a minimum of 180 hours of directed work and service-learning experience in a physician’s office or clinic. Students, under supervision and with ongoing evaluation of performance, exhibit skills and perform procedures relative to the responsibilities of a Medical Assistant. Students shall not receive pay for service-learning externship hours. This is designated as a service-learning course.