Registered Medical Assistant

A Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is an integral member of healthcare delivery teams, and you can be too. As an RMA you’ll work in doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals or labs - scheduling appointments, inputting new patient information, updating and maintaining patient files, acting a liaison between doctors and patients and keeping the office running smoothly.

The Registered Medical Assistant program will teach you computer skills, therapeutic communication skills, clinical office procedures, electronic health records, financial management, healthcare insurance processing, billing and coding, medical law and ethics, medical office procedures and medical terminology.

Upon completion, students are eligible to take the American Medical Technologists RMA National Examination.

In this course you'll learn to:

• discuss sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization procedures in the medical office
• detail hematology and function of blood components
• discuss clinical chemistry tests and immunological concepts
• review practices and procedures for the clinical laboratory including handling of specimen and results
• discuss procedures for laboratory test specimen collection
• introduce blood collection practices and venipuncture techniques
• review sterile technique, sterile field set up, wound care, and minor office instruments and set up
• discuss the infectious process cycle, classes of microorganisms, and specific diagnostic tests done in a physicians office
• describe and utilize the most current procedural and diagnostic coding systems
• recognize medical terminology necessary to understand and code medical insurance claim forms utilizing the different coding manuals
• recognize common errors in completing insurance claim forms and the proper steps in rectifying those errors for timely reimbursement for procedures performed
• understand the coding process in an electronic medical record
• understand legal issues dealing with the law, intentional and unintentional torts, professional liability insurance, informed consent issues and documentation
• navigate ethical issues in health occupations
• identify common areas of liability and litigation that include administrative and medical records, patient care and conflict management
• manage administrative and medical records
• promote the Physician-Patient relationship
• communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals effectively
• identify the communication cycle and influences or barriers that may break that cycle down
• identify the physical and psychological effect stress has on patients, family, and the healthcare professionals involved in their care
• effectively communicate across the lifespan and with fearful, stresses, angry, and depressed patients
• understand diagnostics procedures and Pharmacology
• understand the anatomy of the urinary system and the concepts of urinalysis
• describe anatomy and blood flow through the heart
• explain an EKG trace with focus on normal sinus rhythm, artifacts and common arrhythmias
• understand pharmacological terminology and medication by classification
• understand proper injection techniques
• understand radiological procedures and patient preparation for these procedures
• demonstrate an understanding of female and male reproductive procedures
• understand medical asepsis and infection control through handwashing and application and removal of clean disposable gloves
• measure vital signs; temperature, respiration, pulse, and blood pressure
• obtain a chief compliant and accurate charting of medical information
• assist the physician in the physical exam including height, weight, and eye and ear assessment procedures
• assist the physician in pediatric examination and procedures

Admission Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• GED or high school diploma
• Completed health form, signed by your physician (if clinical is included)