Lagaza- Medical Assistant

This course introduces students to patient- centered assessment, examination, intervention, and treatment as directed by the physician including infection control procedures. Autoclaving and spore testing will be included. Additionally, students will gain proficiency in medical asepsis and will learn to take vital signs. (Lec 40 clock hrs/Lab 40 clock hrs)

Basic functions such as office operations, insurance paper checking and medical billing are taught first. Student will also learn impact of health insurance on today's economy. We will also cover the different departments within an insurance company and operations. This phase will also give the student the opportunity to understand the importance of legal issues that affect the medical biller and health claims examiner. Students will be taught fundamentals of health information technology to provide them with the importance of written communication skills, accounts receivable management, supportive documentation, and customer service. Particularly, students will be taught the laws concerning medical record keeping, documentation guidelines and release. Federal Business Trade Act to prevent identity theft will also be covered. (lec 40 clock hrs/ lab20 hrs)

This course introduces students to the principles, procedures, and regulations involved in legal and ethical relationships among physicians, patients, and assistants. The course includes HIPPA law interpretation and applications.  Emphasis is placed on the legal aspects of office procedures, current ethical issues, and risk management as they relate to the practice and fiduciary responsibilities. Upon completion of the subject students will be able to: 1) discuss what and to whom information about a patient may be released; 2) discuss the medical assistant's ethical obligations and restrictions; 3) explain the importance of a contract to a health care facility; and 4) list the six components of informed consent. (Lec 40 clock hrs/lab 20hrs)

The main subject of this course is the theoretical aspect of medical record coding. The student will be introduced to ICD-9-CM basic coding rules and conventions, sequencing codes and other coding principles. We will cover the CPT-4 Coding System Structure of the three levels of CPT-4, general guidelines for using CPT-4, basic steps to assign CPT-4 and understanding the sequencing and linking requirements. During this course the student will become familiar with the terminology in the procedure and diagnostic coding systems to use them efficiently and provide accurate descriptions of services rendered and maximize payment from insurance companies. (Lec 40 clock hrs/Lab 40 hrs)

Student will have the understanding and practical skills necessary to abstract relevant information from the medical records for completing the CMS-1500 claim form, as well as completely expediting the logins and processing of different types of medical forms. Students will study general guidelines for completing forms for different carriers to include: Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensation. This course will teach the student the knowledge necessary to optimize payment in a timely and cost efficient manner. The students will study the difference between clean, pending, rejected, incomplete and invalid claims and describe the reasons why claims were rejected. This course will also provide the student with the necessary skills to understand and complete the UB-92claim form and to know when it may or may not minimize their chances of rejection by insurance carriers. ( Lec 40 clock hrs/Lab 40 clock hr)

Students on this topic, study about therapeutic agents, their classifications, properties, actions, and effects on the human body and their role in the management of diseases. Students will learn to provide detailed information regarding drug dosages, side effects, interactions, toxicities, and incompatibilities (Lec 20 clock hrs/ lab 20 hrs)

Students are placed in physicians’ office or medical services providing establishments. They work along with nurses, doctors and office staff and take active part in patient caring. Students will operate and maintain clinical equipments and prepare examination and treatment areas. This course will also cover the certification examination testing on all areas. (Ext 80 clock hrs)