Contents
Catalog Links

MEA 290 Medical Assistant Internship

In this course, students acquire applied experience in an appropriate work situation such as a physician's office or clinic.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: MEA 125 and MEA 151 and MEA 170

Corequisite

Corequisite: MEA 270

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

MEA 290 Medical Assistant Internship

Campus Location

  • Wilmington

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MEA 125 and MEA 151 and MEA 170

Co-requisites

Corequisite: MEA 270

Course Credits and Hours

4 credit(s)

0 lecture hours/week

12 lab hours/week

Course Description

In this course, students acquire applied experience in an appropriate work situation such as a physician's office or clinic.

Additional Materials

Medical Assistant Program Manual

Allied Health/Science Department Program Student Policy Manual Medical dictionary

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Disclaimer

Students do not receive compensation for the internship. Students spend 192 hours at a medical facility. Students are expected to comply with established office policies at their particular site. They are supervised and evaluated by a professional designated by the facility. Documented unprofessional behavior at the facility is grounds for dismissal.

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Perform entry-level medical assistant clinical skills. (CCC 6; PGC 4)
  2. Calculate and apply mathematical equations necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 6; PGC 4)
  3. Perform infection control skills necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 2; PGC 2)
  4. Discuss nutrition concepts with patients in a clinical medical office. (CCC 1, 2; PGC 4)
  5. Use effective communication skills necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 1; PGC 1)
  6. Conduct entry-level medical assistant administrative functions. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
  7. Manage basic practice finance skills necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
  8. Comply with managed care/insurance guidelines necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
  9. Use procedural and diagnostic coding skills necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 6; PGC 5)
  10. Demonstrate legal guidelines used by a medical assistant. (CCC 2, 3; PGC 2)
  11. Use ethical considerations necessary  during delivery of healthcare. (CCC 4; PGC 3)
  12. Employ protective practices necessary as a medical assistant. (CCC 2; PGC 2)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Perform entry-level medical assistant clinical skills.
    1. Obtain and record blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, height, weight, length (infant), head circumference (infant), and pulse oximetry measurements.
    2. Perform electrocardiography, venipuncture, capillary puncture, and pulmonary function testing.
    3. Prepare a patient for screening using established protocols.
    4. Determine the rules of medication administration: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
    5. Select proper sites for administering parenteral medication.
    6. Prepare and administer oral and parenteral (excluding IV) medications.
    7. Prepare and instruct a patient for a procedure or a treatment.
    8. Assist provider with a patient exam.
    9. Perform a quality control measure.
    10. Collect specimens and perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, immunology, and microbiology test.
    11. Produce up-to-date documentation of provider/professional level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
    12. Perform first aid procedures for bleeding, diabetic coma or insulin shock, fractures, seizures, shock, and syncope.
    13. Use critical thinking skills when performing patient assessment and patient care.
    14. Show awareness of a patient's concerns related to the procedure being performed.
  2. Calculate and apply mathematical equations necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Calculate proper dosages of medication for administration.
    2. Differentiate between normal and abnormal test results.
    3. Prepare laboratory test results using flow sheets.
    4. Record on a growth chart.
    5. Discuss and reassure a patient of the accuracy of test results.
  3. Perform infection control skills necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Participate in bloodborne pathogen training.
    2. Select appropriate barrier/personal protective equipment (PPE).
    3. Perform handwashing.
    4. Prepare items for autoclaving.
    5. Perform sterilization procedures.
    6. Prepare a sterile field.
    7. Perform within a sterile field.
    8. Perform wound care.
    9. Perform dressing changes.
    10. Demonstrate proper disposal of biohazardous material (sharps and regulated wastes).
    11. Recognize the implications for failure to comply with Center for Disease Control (CDC) regulations in healthcare settings.
  4. Discuss nutrition concepts with patients in a clinical medical office.
    1. Explain and instruct special dietary needs to a patient.
    2. Show awareness of a patient's concerns regarding a dietary change.
  5. Use effective communication skills necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Use feedback techniques to obtain patient information, including reflection, restatement, and clarification.
    2. Recognize and respond to nonverbal communication.
    3. Use and pronounce medical terminology correctly to communicate information to providers and patients.
    4. Assist patients regarding office policies, health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment plan.
    5. Prepare patients appropriately considering cultural diversity, developmental life stage, and communication barriers.
    6. Demonstrate professional telephone techniques.
    7. Prepare telephone messages accurately.
    8. Prepare professional correspondence using electronic technology.
    9. Produce a current list of community resources related to patients' healthcare needs.
    10. Select referrals to community resources in the role of a patient navigator.
    11. Explain relevant information concisely and accurately.
    12. Demonstrate empathy, active listening, and nonverbal communication.
    13. Demonstrate the principles of self-boundaries.
    14. Demonstrate respect for individual diversity, including gender, race, religion, age, economic status, and appearance.
    15. Explain to a patient the rationale for performing a procedure.
  6. Conduct entry-level medical assistant administrative functions.
    1. Manage appointment schedules using established priorities.
    2. Arrange for a patient procedure.
    3. Create, organize, and file a patient's medical record.
    4. Use an electronic medical record (EMR).
    5. Record patient data using a practice management system.
    6. Perform routine maintenance of administrative or clinical equipment.
    7. Perform and document an inventory of office and medical supplies.
    8. Show sensitivity when managing appointments.
  7. Manage basic practice finance skills necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Perform accounts receivable procedures to patient accounts, including posting charges, payments, and adjustments.
    2. Prepare a bank deposit.
    3. Collect accurate patient billing information.
    4. Explain to a patient the financial obligations for services rendered.
    5. Demonstrate professionalism when discussing a patient's billing record.
    6. Show sensitivity when requesting payment for services rendered.
  8. Comply with managed care/insurance guidelines necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Interpret information on an insurance card.
    2. Explain how to verify eligibility for services, including documentation.
    3. Arrange precertification or preauthorization, including documentation.
    4. Prepare an insurance claim form.
    5. Demonstrate professionalism with third party representatives.
    6. Practice tactful behavior when communicating with medical providers regarding third party requirements.
    7. Show sensitivity when communicating with patients regarding third party requirements.
  9. Use procedural and diagnostic coding skills necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Perform procedural and diagnostic coding.
    2. Use medical necessity guidelines.
    3. Use tactful communication skills with medical providers to ensure accurate code selection.
  10. Demonstrate legal guidelines used by a medical assistant.
    1. Locate a state's legal scope of practice for medical assistants.
    2. Apply Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules in regard to privacy and release of information.
    3. Record patient care accurately in the medical record.
    4. Apply the Patient's Bill of Rights as it relates to choice, consent, and refusal for treatment.
    5. Perform compliance reporting based on public health statutes.
    6. Recognize an illegal activity in the healthcare setting following proper protocol.
    7. Prepare an incident report related to an error in patient care.
    8. Demonstrate sensitivity to patient rights.
    9. Demonstrate how to protect the integrity of the medical record.
  11. Use ethical considerations necessary during delivery of healthcare.
    1. Formulate a plan for separation of personal and professional ethics.
    2. Demonstrate appropriate response(s) to ethical issues.
    3. Recognize the impact personal ethics and morals have on the delivery of healthcare.
  12. Employ protective practices necessary as a medical assistant.
    1. Comply with safety signs, symbols, and labels.
    2. Demonstrate proper use of eyewash equipment, fire extinguishers, and sharps disposal containers.
    3. Use proper body mechanics.
    4. Particate in a mock exposure event with documentation of specific steps.
    5. Evaluate the work environment to identify unsafe working conditions.
    6. Identify the physical and emotional effects on persons involved in an emergency situation.
    7. Demonstrate self-awareness in responding to an emergency situation.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Formative Time Sheets (1)

5%

Formative Weekly Journal (1)

10%

Summative Student Resource and Student Practicum Evaluation (2) equally weighted  

10%

Practicum Evaluation of Student (1)

55%

Report (1)

20%

TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

AHTAASMEA Program Graduate Competencies:

  1. Exhibit effective nonverbal, verbal, and written communication in patient/client and family interventions and education and in professional relationships.
  2. Exercise independent judgment and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
  3. Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
  4. Demonstrate clinical competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.
  5. Demonstrate administrative competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures on all patient population.

AHTDIPMAS Program Graduate Competencies:

  1. Exhibit effective communication, independent judgment, and critical thinking in performance of medical assisting, according to the profession's standards of practice.
  2. Demonstrate professional patterns of behavior consistent with the profession's code of ethics.
  3. Demonstrate clinical and administrative competence by performing a full range of medical assistant procedures.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for online, hybrid, video conferencing and web conferencing courses.

Academic Integrity

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Academics/Academic-Integrity

Attendance

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Search?q=attendance

Cell phone/Electronic Device

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Student-Policy/Cell-Phone-and-Electronic-Device-Policy

Tuition Adjustment Policy

https://dtcc.smartcatalogiq.com/Current/Catalog/Financial/Tuition-Fee-Adjustment-Policy-Course-or-Semester-Withdrawal