- Lecture
- Class discussion/participation
- May have a guest lecture (attendance required)
- May have a visit to a biomedical lab (attendance required if visit and travel time takes place during scheduled during class time)
- Lab--Class demonstration and practice of identified skills
1. Medical asepsis. The learner will:
1.1 describe the types of micro organisms and their growth requirements
1.2 explain the infection process cycle and the body's protective mechanisms
1.3 describe the application of medical asepsis in the medical office.
2. Vital signs. The learner will:
2.1 assemble the equipment for taking vital signs
2.2 demonstrate the procedure for taking temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
2.3 record vital signs on progress notes.
3. Physical examination. The learner will:
3.1 demonstrate the procedure for taking height, weight, body draping and positioning
3.2 identify and assemble the equipment, instruments, and supplies for physical examination
3.3 demonstrate safe bending , lifting, and carrying techniques
4. Laboratory specimens. The learner will:
4.1 define the relationship between the medical office and clinical laboratory
4.2 identify laboratory requests and reports
4.3 prepare requisitions, labels, and explain methods of storage and transportation of specimens
4.4 explain patient preparation for specific laboratory tests and the arrangements for patients being sent to external testing and treatment facilities.
5. Sterilization and disinfection. The learner will:
5.1 demonstrate sanitization procedures
5.2 explain microbial control, sterilization, disinfection, and antisepsis
5.3 demonstrate the use of the autoclave and chemical sterilization.
6. Heat and cold. The learner will:
6.1 explain the local effects, purposes, and factors affecting the application of heat and cold
6.2 describe the types of equipment used for moist, dry, hot and cold applications
6.3 explain the purpose and application of ultrasound treatment.
7. Vision testing. The learner will:
7.1 demonstrate the procedure for visual acuity testing
8. Cardiopulmonary and x-ray examinations. The learner will:
8.1. explain basic x-ray examination techniques and patient preparation
8.2. explain the purpose of electrocardiography and Holter monitor electrocardiography
8.3. prepare requisitions for diagnostic procedures
9. Urinalysis. The learner will:
9.1 discuss methods of urine collection
9.2 demonstrate urinalysis using reagent strips and perform pregnancy tests
9.3 explain the instruction and arrangements for patients going to outside facilities for testing
10. Haematology, Chemistry, Serology, and Blood typing The learner will:
10.1 explain the purpose of specific haematology, chemistry, and serology blood tests, and identify blood types
11. Microbiology. The learner will:
11.1 identify disease-causing micro organisms explain the stages of infection
11.2 explain the procedure for completing requisitions and transporting cultures and smears
11.3 state the methods used in the medical office to prevent cross-infection
12. Minor Office Surgery. The learner will:
12.1 describe the guidelines for surgical asepsis
12.2 demonstrate the preparation of the patient and the examination room
12.3 identify the instruments and supplies used in minor office surgery
12.4 demonstrate the application of the opening of sterile packages
12.5 demonstrate the procedure for preparing sterile trays for minor office surgery
12.6 describe wounds types, wound healing, and wound treatment
12.7 demonstrate the correct procedure for sharps disposal
13. Pediatric patients. The learner will:
13.1 identify ways of establishing a rapport with the paediatric patient
13.2 demonstrate the procedure used for carrying, weighing and measuring an infant
13.3 explain growth patterns and recommended immunization schedules
14. Obstetrical and Gynaecologic patients. The learner will:
14.1 demonstrate the preparation of pelvic examination trays and specimen collection
14.2 prepare requisitions for Pap Smear and microbiology specimens and discuss specimen transport to outside laboratories
14.3 explain scheduled prenatal examinations and postnatal care procedures
15. Male Health and Colon Procedures. The learner will:
15.1 explain fecal occult blood testing
15.2 explain colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and proctoscopy examinations and patient preparation
The learner has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- identify the need for and apply aseptic techniques in the medical office
- assemble equipment; ascertain and chart vital signs and height and weight
- demonstrate the preparation of the examining room and patients for physical examination and other procedures
- demonstrate the preparation and care of specimens for laboratory testing
- discuss the process of infection and identify measures to prevent cross-contamination
- demonstrate the use of sterilization and disinfection techniques for equipment decontamination.
- discuss the therapeutic application of various forms of heat and cold
- complete and chart results of visual acuity testing using the Snellen eye chart
- explain patient preparation for x-ray and diagnostic imaging examinations and arrange appointments with outside facilities
- collect and prepare specimens to perform basic urinalysis and pregnancy testing and explain patient preparation for external laboratory testing procedures
- identify surgical instruments and prepare sterile trays used for minor office surgery
- discuss the preparation of children for examination, identifying tests and procedures used and the current immunization schedule recommendations
- demonstrate and discuss procedures for the examination of the gynaecologic and obstetric patient
4 Examinations (15% each) | 60% |
Assignment(s) | 10% |
Lab-participation and skill assessment | 30% |
Total | 100% |
NOTE: A minimum grade of 60% (18/30) in the lab component is required to pass this class. Failure to participate will result in a grade of 0 in the lab component. All guest lectures and biomedical lab visits are considered a part of the lab component. |
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
Bonewit-West, Kathy. Clinical Procedures for Medical Assistants, Latest Edition, W.B. Saunders Company.
Or other textbooks as approved by the department.