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Course Number: NCMA 123

Course Title: Clinical Practicum II
Credit Hours: 5
Lecture Hours: 0
Lecture/Lab Hours: 20
Lab Hours: 120
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 such as scheduling and monitoring office or clinic appointments.
  2. Prepare and maintain examination and treatment area and assist with selected examinations, procedures and treatments.
  3. Make decisions regarding patient care based on professional values and complying with legal/ethical standards.
  4. Use therapeutic and professional communication techniques in the clinical setting with patients, peers, and coworkers.
  5. Implement patient education plans incorporating culture, learning needs and ability to learn.
  6. Adhere to ethical and legal principles guiding practice as a medical assistant.
  7. Collaborate with members of the health care team for assigned patients.

Course Activities and Design

  1. Discussion seminar
  2. Skills practice lab with patient scenarios
  3. Clinical practicum
  4. Clinical evaluations (mid-term and final)

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  1. Clinical evaluations (mid-term and final)
  2. Journaling designed to accurately reflect on clinical experience
  3. Completion of daily logs detailing clinical experience
  4. Completion of HESI Exam (comprehensive student assessment exam)

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  1. Orientation to the practice
  2. Front-office skills
    • Scheduling patient admissions and procedures
    • Applying third-party reimbursement guidelines
    • Monitoring third-party reimbursement
    • Applying basic bookkeeping skills
  3. Back-office skills
    • Using and complying with quality assurance practices
    • Collecting and processing specimens
    • Assisting with examinations, procedures, and treatments
    • Preparing and administering medications and immunizations
    • Recognizing and responding to emergencies
    • Coordinating patient care information with other health care providers
    • Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively
    • Teaching health promotion and disease prevention strategies
    • Identifying community resources
    • Maintaining supplies inventory