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Course Number: NCMA 113
Course Title: Clinical Practicum I
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture Hours: 0
Lecture/Lab Hours: 30
Lab Hours: 75
Special Fee: none

Course Description

Provides opportunities to practice direct care to patients and support office functions in a medical setting.

Intended Outcomes for the Course

  1. Complete administrative tasks including scheduling and monitoring office or clinic appointments.
  2. Prepare and assist with selected examinations, procedures and treatments.
  3. Provide care that encompasses compassion, empathy, and respect of cultural diversity.
  4. Utilize therapeutic and professional communication techniques in the clinical setting with patients, peers, and health care team members.
  5. Utilize basic patient teaching techniques when communicating with clients.
  6. Present self in both appearance and behavior appropriate for a professional medical assistant in compliance with OCCC and facility policies.
  7. Adhere to ethical and legal principles guiding practice as a medical assistant.

Course Activities and Design

  1. Skills practice lab with patient scenarios
  2. Clinical practicum
  3. Clinical evaluations
  4. Reflective journaling
  5. Written assignments

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  1. Seminar discussion.
  2. Reading assignments examining clinical practicum.
  3. Small group discussions designed to stimulate critical thinking and positive interactive communication with peers.
  4. Clinical practicum.
  5. Clinical evaluations.
  6. Journaling designed to accurately reflect on clinical experience.
  7. Completion of daily logs detailing clinical experience.
  8. Skills practice lab with formative and summative procedural evaluations.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  1. Orientation to clinical practice
  2. Orientation to the practice setting
  3. Front-office skills
    • Using appropriate telephone techniques
    • Scheduling and monitoring appointments
    • Filing and records management
  4. Back-office skills
    • Using aseptic technique and appropriate infection control measures
    • Obtaining patient histories and vital signs
    • Documenting appropriately
    • Preparing patients for examinations and procedures
    • Operating selected instruments and equipment
    • Collecting and processing selected specimens
    • Providing patient teaching