Health Science Theory Syllabus 2024-2025

Instructor: Brook O’Connor, LVN

Contact information: oconnorc@lisdtx.org (preferred) or 512-564-2310 

Course Description: This course is designed to give students practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills related to a variety of health professions to pursue a career in the health science industry. This course is designed to prepare students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA). Students will learn to reason, think critically, make decisions, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in medical terminology. Students will recognize that quality health care depends on the ability to work well with others. This course will be taught by several methodologies through clinical rotation, classroom education, and return demonstration. 

 

Certification: Students that successfully complete the course and course requirements will be qualified to take the optional Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA) exam offered by the National HealthCare Association (NHA). This exam is proctored on LHS campus. 

Requirements: 

❑ Transportation to clinical sites 

❑ CPR/first aid certification (we will certify in class) ❑ Junior or Senior 

❑ Previously taken another Health Science course and/or Biology 

❑ TB skin test prior to clinical rotations in October 

❑ Pass a background check prior to clinical rotation 

• 40 clinical hours, 100 classroom hours, and 60 skills/labs hours
• Students are required to take the certification exam upon successful completion of the program.

 

Contents of the Course: 

(The teacher may change sequence of course as needed for progression of class)

Unit 1-General Transdisciplinary: Succeeding as a Student, Introduction to Medical Assisting-The profession, ethics, and law, Communication, Professionalism, Infection Control, CPR/ first aid. 

Unit 2-Administrative Medical Assisting-Telephone, scheduling, computer, office, reception, and daily operations in the medical office. 

Unit 3-Health Information and the Medical Office-Medical records, electronic records, and privacy in the office. 

Unit 4-Billing and Coding Procedures-Basics of health insurance, coding, fees, billing, and collecting. 

Unit 5-Financial and Practice Management-Banking service, financial practices, and customer service. 

Unit 6-Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting-Patient Assessment, Patient education, Vital signs, and assisting with the physical exam. 

Unit 7-Diagnostic and Clinical Procedures-EKG, Phlebotomy, Injections, Urinalysis, Blood Analysis, and Basic Microbiology. 

Unit 8-Assisting with Medication-Administering medications and Introduction to Pharmacology. 

Unit 9-Assisting with Medical Specialties-Assisting the physician in specialties such as Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, Urology, Ob-Gyn, Pediatrics, and Geriatrics. 

Unit 10-Preparing for the Medical Assistant Board Exam -Reviewing all content from both Fall and Spring semesters. Practice Exams. 

Unit 11-Medical Assistant Certification Exam 

Grading System: 50% daily grades and 50% tests; 10 points will be deducted for every day that an assignment is turned in late. 

Supplies: 

Pen or Pencil 

Binder with dividers

School-issued computer (every day) 

Royal Blue Scrubs (not until October) 

Course Policies: 

Eligibility- Students must have attended at least 90% of the course and have a passing grade of 70 to be eligible for the Medical Assistant Certification Exam. 

Attendance-Please be aware that this is a hands-on course, so attendance is mandatory and required for clinicals and to take certification exam. 

Because students will be in clinical rotation outside school grounds, it is imperative that students arrive on time to class. 

Tardiness-Students arriving late are considered tardy and will be addressed according to school policy. Tardiness disrupts class time and concentration of students in learning. Please come to class on time. 

Makeup Assignments- It is YOUR responsibility to ask about your missed assignments while you were absent. You will have 24 hours to complete all make up work for each excused absence. You will need to make arrangements with the instructor to make-up assignment(s) and/or tests.

Students are required to sign consent form for random drug testing. If a patient has a positive test come back, they will not be permitted to attend clinical sites and may be dismissed from the program. 

Students are NOT permitted to be on cell phones during clinical site visits. Failure to comply will result in dismissal from the program.

Students are required to maintain the confidentiality of all patient records and any information that is seen or heard during clinical site visits. Failure to comply will result in immediate dismissal from the program.