Clinical Medical Assistant Specialist

905 Hours / Access Length: 2 Years / Delivery: Online, Mentor Supported

Course Overview:

A Clinical Medical Assistant Specialist is someone who plays a vital role on any medical team. These assistants are there to take care of the needs of the patient and carry out any orders the doctor may have. Duties include taking vital signs, drawing blood, front office personnel, billing, and administering medication.

• Medical Terminology - learn the key elements used to build medical terms, as well as review body structure and the main systems of the human body.
• Medical Assistant - explore the role of the medical assistant, the importance of health records, and key terminology in the field.
• Medical Administrative Assistant - learn patient confidentiality, scheduling, customer service, and basic patient documentation, as well as other administrative duties required by front office personnel.
• Medical Billing - gain hands-on, practical experience working with the main coding manuals in the field, the ICD-10-CM and the CPT. Master the legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts that are central to this field. 

This course prepares a student to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Medical Assistant (CCMA), Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), and Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) national certification exams.

Course Outline:

Medical Terminology Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Medical Terminology Basics

This lesson will help you be able to Identify the four-word elements used to build medical words. You will also learn how to divide medical words into their component parts and apply the basic rules to define and build medical words. You will learn how to interpret pronunciation marks so you can pronounce medical terms presented in this chapter.

Lesson 2: Body Structures

One of the most important parts of the course is understanding the organization of the body. While each person is unique in their own right, the way we are assembled as humans (in a general sense are nearly the same). For this lesson, upon understanding the different levels, planes, and regions of the body, participants will learn how to properly pronounce terms related to a body structure. Documenting health care activities will conclude this part of the course through the assigned activities provided.

Lesson 3: Integumentary, Digestive and Respiratory Systems

The third lesson of the course begins the comprehensive review of the major parts of the body. In this case, the first three (3) in focus are the integumentary, digestive, and respiratory systems. Better put, this lesson will provide comprehensive details and knowledge to understand medical terms specific to one's skin, digestive, and breathing systems. Anatomy and physiology reviews are included in the reading material so participants can not only comprehend terminology but also view where it is often located in these parts of the body. Additional supplemental materials located in the back of the text are available as additional study aids and reference for this and other core portions of the course.

Lesson 4: Cardiovascular, Blood, Lymphatic and Immune Systems

Continuing the discussion of core body systems, the fourth lesson reviews more specific systems which blood commonly flows through. This includes cardiovascular systems such as the heart, lymphatic systems, and more. Similar to other course lessons that focus on body systems, one will need to comprehend the aforementioned knowledge plus an understanding of various diseases or body issues that may result when malfunctions may occur. As mentioned in the previous lesson, additional supplemental materials located in the back of the text are available as additional study aids and reference for this and other core portions of the course.

Lesson 5: Musculoskeletal, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems

The fifth lesson of the course continues the focus of core body systems that medical professionals must understand in order to properly convey and use terms correctly. This lesson goes into great detail about musculoskeletal, urinary, and reproductive systems. These body systems are often dependent on others working properly and failure of those having issues or deficiencies will likely cause these to do the same or at worse fail. Participants should pay particular focus to the reproductive systems and their respective terms as they only apply to their gender and at times, it can be easy to confuse their respective terminologies. As part of a major reoccurring theme for the course, additional supplemental materials located in the back of the text are available as additional study aids and reference.

Lesson 6: Endocrine Systems

The second to last part of the course focuses on an ever-increasing medical base within the United States and the world - endocrinology. Endocrine systems provide the necessary functionality to help keep equilibrium within one's body and nutrients (e.g. glucose and insulin) to keep that balance in place. Hence, thyroid and diabetes care increasing in need, medical professionals must have a strong grasp of common terminology used in this space so that it can be communicated properly and effectively to patients and other medical personnel. To aid in the learning experiences in this important section of the course, additional supplemental materials located in the back of the text are recommended to be used in conjunction with required reading assignments.

Lesson 7: Nervous System and Special Senses

In the final lesson, participants will learn about one body system and special senses. You will be able to locate the major organs of each and describe their structure and function. You will also better understand how each relates to others in the body. You will also learn how to pronounce, spell, and build words related to all both. You will gain an understanding of diseases, conditions, and procedures related to each one as well. You will learn about pharmacology related to the treatment of disorders in each.  One is encouraged to apply cumulative learning experiences to the comprehension of terms learned here as well as additional resources that immediately follow this chapter in the text.

Medical Assistant Career Prep Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Medical Assisting

In this lesson, we will learn the basic roles of a medical assistant, the importance and types of patient records, and explore proper medical terminology.

Lesson 2: Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting, Part 1

In this lesson, we will learn the fundamentals of clinical medical assisting, including infection control, examining patients, coaching patients, and nutrition.

Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Clinical Medical Assisting, Part 2

In this lesson, we will learn about the basics of surgical supplies and instruments, assisting with minor surgeries, electrocardiography, and the role of a medical assistant during medical emergencies.

Lesson 4: Assisting with Medications

In this lesson, we will learn about medications. Principles of pharmacology, reading labels, pharmacological math, and types and methods of medication administration will all be covered.

Lesson 5: Assisting with Medical Specialties, Part 1

In this lesson, we will learn about the medical specialties that employ medical assistants. The basics of each field are covered, including ophthalmology, dermatology, allergy and infectious disease, gastroenterology, and orthopedics.

Lesson 6: Assisting with Medical Specialties, Part 2

In this lesson, we will learn about the medical specialties that employ medical assistants. The basics of each field are covered, including neurology, behavioral health, endocrinology, cardiology, and pulmonology.

Lesson 7: Assisting with Medical Specialties, Part 3

In this lesson, we will learn about the medical specialties that employ medical assistants. The basics of each field are covered, including urology, obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatrics.

Lesson 8: Assisting with Clinical Laboratory Procedures

In this lesson, we will learn about how medical assistants work with the clinical lab and the medical equipment associated with working with the lab.

Lesson 9: Job Seeking

In this lesson, we will learn about how to apply for and find a job in the field of medical assisting.

Medical Administrative Assistant Career Prep Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Introduction to Medical Assisting, part 1

In this lesson, we will learn the basic roles of an administrative medical assistant, communication basics, and explore legal compliance in medical offices.

Lesson 2: Introduction to Medical Assisting, part 2

In this lesson, we will learn about ethics in healthcare, explore proper medical terminology, and identify best practices when coaching patients.

Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Ambulatory Care, part 1

In this lesson, we will explore the front end operations of a healthcare facility, including written communications, telephone techniques, and patient processing.

Lesson 4: Fundamentals of Ambulatory Care, part 2

In this lesson, we will continue the review of front end operations by reviewing patient records, principles of pharmacology, and maintaining safe equipment and supplies.

Lesson 5: Coding and Medical Billing

In this lesson, we will review the medical assistant's role in medical coding and billing. Procedures for diagnostic coding and medical billing claims procedures are also covered.

Lesson 6: Advanced Ambulatory Care Administration

In this lesson, we will learn more advanced front office procedures, such as accounts receivable and accounts payable. We will also discuss advanced roles in administrative medical assisting, such as medical office management.

Lesson 7: Assisting with Medical Specialties

In this lesson, we will learn about the administrative medical assistant's role in handling and responding to medical emergencies. 

Lesson 8: Job Seeking

In this lesson, we will learn about how to apply for and find a job in the field of administrative medical assisting. 

Medical Billing Career Prep Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Role of the Insurance Billing Specialist

In this lesson, you will learn about your new role as an insurance billing specialist, its responsibilities and tasks, career advantages and necessary qualifications.

Lesson 2: Compliance, Privacy, Fraud, and Abuse in Insurance Billing

In this lesson, you will learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), insurance reforms and the HITECH act. You will discuss the differences between fraud, waste, and abuse and describe how regulations pertain to the Insurance Billing Specialist

Lesson 3: Basics of Health Insurance

In this lesson, you will learn about the history and organization of health insurance in the United States and how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will reform healthcare. You will also follow the administrative life-cycle of a physician-based insurance claim from completion to third-party payer processing and payment.

Lesson 4: The Blue Plans, Private Insurance, & Managed Health Care Plans

In this lesson, you will learn about the differences between a traditional indemnity and a managed care plan, including organization, features and payment mechanisms.

Lesson 5: Medicare, Medicaid, & Other State Programs

In this lesson, you will learn about eligibility, benefits and claim submission for Medicare. Participants will also learn about the history, eligibility, benefits, and claims submission for Medicaid and other state programs.

Lesson 6: TRICARE & Veterans Health Care

In this lesson, you will learn about eligibility, benefits, providers and claim submission guidelines for TRICARE and Veteran's Health Care.

Lesson 7: Workers Compensation

In this lesson, you will learn about the differences between workers' compensation and employers liability insurance, eligibility, waiting periods, types of claims, record keeping, and claim submission.

Lesson 8: Disability Income Insurance & Disability Benefit Programs

In this lesson, you will learn about the benefits and exclusions contained in individual and group disability income insurance, eligibility requirements, procedures for claim submissions.

Lesson 9: Medical Documentation & Electronic Health Records

In this lesson, you will lean about the medical record and its transformation into what is known as the electronic health record. You will explain the importance of documentation and how poor documentation makes it difficult for the Insurance Billing Specialist.

Lesson 10: Diagnostic Coding

In this lesson, you will learn how to code diagnoses and the importance of accurate diagnostic coding. You will have hands-on practice with both ICD-9  and ICD-10 coding conventions and demonstrate your ability to abstract medical conditions from the medical record and accurately assign diagnostic codes.

Lesson 11: Procedural Coding

In this lesson, you will learn the purpose and importance of procedural coding. You will have hands-on practice with CPT coding conventions and demonstrate your ability to abstract information from the medical record and accurately assign procedural codes.

Lesson 12: The Paper Claim (CMS-1500)

In this lesson, you will learn when paper claims are to be used. You will compare the differences between clean, pending, rejected, incomplete, and invalid claims and demonstrate the ability to complete the CMS-1500 claim form accurately for federal, state, and private payer insurance contracts using current basic guidelines.

Lesson 13: The Electronic Claim

In this lesson, you will learn the advantages of electronic claim submission, the methods of interactive computer transactions for transmitting insurance claims and the procedures for transmission.

Lesson 14: Receiving Payments & Insurance Problem Solving

In this lesson, you will learn claim management techniques, solutions for denied and rejected claims, and methods to reduce insurance problems and obtain maximum correct payments.

Lesson 15: Collection Strategies

In this lesson, you will learn about the cash flow cycle in the medical office, including how to explain fees and answer patient questions, offer payment options and how to avoid making patients pay for your mistakes and adding expense and causing a delay in payment.

Lesson 16: Ambulatory Surgery Centers

In this lesson, participants will learn about Outpatient hospital care facilities (as often called ambulatory care) and cover various types of services that do not require an overnight hospital stay. Ambulatory surgery centers, known as ASCs, are health care facilities specifically focused on providing same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures and services.

Lesson 17: Hospital Outpatient & Inpatient Billing

In this lesson, you will learn about the differences in medical billing for a hospital vs. a medical office, the flow of the inpatient hospital stay from billing through receipt of payment and the general guidelines for completion of a paper CMS-1450 (UB-04) and transmission of the electronic claim form.

Lesson 18: Seeking a Job and Attaining Professional Advancement

In this lesson, you will learn about the importance of customer-focused service, pathways to certification, how to search for and successfully apply for a job.

All necessary course materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares a student to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Medical Assistant (CCMA), Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), and Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) national certification exams.

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.