Medical Assistant Certification Outline
One of the smoothest routes to a career in medical care.
Get Started
Medical Assistant Certification Programs
Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to help you prepare to take the next steps toward a career as a medical assistant online. You’ll cover the essential skills and knowledge that will be relevant to the job.
Program Orientation: Medical Assistant
>
Identify the elements, expectations, and requirements of the program.
>
Navigate the program using the pages, menus, and buttons provided.
>
Use the program tools, including the study planner, gradebook, and completion report. Be able to contact CareerStep by phone, email, forums, chat rooms, and social media.
>
Identify and use program-specific resources.
Medical Assistant Career Introduction
>
Summarize the medical assisting profession.
>
Summarize licensure, accreditation, certification, and registration for medical assistants.
HealthCare Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science
>
Summarize the medical assisting profession.
>
Translate medical terminology using abbreviations, word building, and important terms.
>
Explain how nutrition knowledge relates to health and disease.
>
Identify the role psychology plays in dealing with patients and their behavior.
Anatomy and Physiology Essentials
>
Be able to name and explain all of the systems of the body.
>
Describe the structure of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
>
Describe the process of osteogenesis.
>
Identify the bones in cell formation. Describe the overall structure of the muscular system.
>
Describe the general functions of the nervous system.
>
Describe the major sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
>
List the general functions of the kidney.
>
Identify the mechanisms of regulating water input and output.
>
Describe the fetal stages and prenatal period.
General Patient Care
>
Summarize the pharmacology basics needed by a medical assistant
>
Outline the tasks required to prepare the examination room and the patient for examination.
Pharmacology Basics for Medical Assisting
>
Identify the classifications of drugs.
>
Review indications, side effects, and adverse reactions of various classifications of drugs.
>
Interpret accepted abbreviations used in reference to medications.
Infection Control
>
Review the causes and diagnostic methods of various infectious and communicable diseases.
>
Explore the protective measures required to prevent infection.
Testing and Laboratory Procedures
>
Identify how specimens are collected and handled.
>
Explore procedures and processes used in obtaining blood and urine samples.
>
Outline the standard components of vision and hearing screening tests.
>
Review common techniques and processes frequently used in medical laboratories.
Externship Readiness Skills
>
Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
>
Develop effective time management skills.
>
Enhance your creative and critical thinking.
>
Integrate critical and creative thinking skills into your life.
>
Learn physical and emotional coping techniques to deal with stress.
>
Explore essential ingredients of the communication process.
>
Acquire methods to maximize verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
>
Relate the importance of professional image to career success.
>
Learn strategies to write a powerful resume.
>
Identify key elements of successful interviews.
>
Relate the importance of good study habits to your personal success.
>
Identify traits related to self-motivation and self-esteem.
>
Incorporate a positive and professional attitude in dealing with others.
>
Understand that failures are important learning tools.
Patient Care Coordination and Education
>
Review how to administer and coordinate general patient care according to professional best practices.
>
Explore the role and responsibilities in administering patient care.
>
Explore the role and responsibilities in facilitating patient education.
Medical Administrative Assistant
>
Describe the differences between common healthcare delivery models.
>
Describe the types of services typically offered in medical offices, including general and specialty services.
>
Define ancillary services and alternative therapies.
Communication and Customer Service in the Healthcare Office
>
Identify the various types and styles of communication used in a healthcare office.
>
Review how verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills contribute to patient experience and outcome in a health care office.
Comprehensive Electronic Health Records
>
Demonstrate how patient records are used and regulated
>
Complete tasks required for scheduling a patient
>
Clinical information reporting
>
Revenue cycle and financial reporting
Medical Laws and Ethics
>
Describe common legal issues related to prescriptions and medication administration.
>
Identify key legal and regulatory aspects of the healthcare environment.
>
Analyze key ethical and legal aspects of the medical profession.
>
Summarize common legal issues related to medical documentation.
Phlebotomy
>
Identify equipment and supplies used to collect, store, and process blood samples.
>
Describe common phlebotomy techniques.
>
List correct steps in the process of taking blood.
>
Explain patient care before, during, and after blood collection.
>
Describe how to prepare and handle a blood sample.
Venipuncture Labs
>
Describe the importance of taking a medical history before performing any invasive procedures
>
Describe the importance of adhering to basic principles of sterility and asepsis
>
Describe the basics principles of venipuncture
>
Discuss various techniques of drawing venous, arterial, and capillary blood
>
Discuss various types of injections (e.g. local and regional anesthetic injections)
EKG and Cardiovascular
>
Identify the basic anatomy of the heart.
>
List the steps needed to ensure proper functioning of ECG/EKG equipment (calibration, standardization).
>
List the equipment and supplies needed to perform an ECG/EKG procedure.
Career Success in Healthcare
>
Define "professionalism" and “success” in your own terms
>
Differentiate between long-, medium-, and short-range goals
>
Assess and develop your time management skills
Medical Assistant Final Exam
>
Identify the steps needed to be eligible for and effectively prepare for and access the final exam.
>
Identify the format, restrictions, and policies of final exams, including scoring, retakes, allowed resources, and time limits.
Fundamentals of HIPAA
>
Describe HIPAA basics.
>
Understand the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rules.
>
Describe the HITECH Act.
>
Explain regulations for business associates.
>
Summarize HIPAA documentation and training.
Initiating Your Externship
>
Create your profile in the Learner Placement Portal.
>
Review the externship preparation resources.
>
Explore CareerStep Community career resources.
>
Understand the benefits of an externship.
>
Access externship participation eligibility requirements.
>
Recognize the externship site placement process and considerations.
Clinical Externship Experience
>
Earn hours and experience that lead directly to certification.
Program Completion: Medical Assistant
>
Prepare to take the next steps after program completion.
Show more modules
Documents
Ready to Get Started?
Call (800) 411-7073
to speak with a career advisor