At Akron Institute we are focused on providing our students with marketable skills that will help them attain their career objectives. Our programs are designed to ensure that the skills and knowledge we teach our students parallel those in demand in the workplace. The best way to get more information about our programs is to visit our campus to meet with one of our admissions representatives.
Program Description
The introduction of students to the overall operation of the physician's office is the basic objective of this program. Students are trained to assist the physician in the examination room, to perform routine laboratory procedures and to handle financial records, correspondence, insurance forms and other administrative functions. Our ultimate goal is to prepare students to successfully gain entry-level employment as a Medical Assistant.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical assisting and laboratory procedures.
2. Demonstrate the ability to use knowledge attained to create clerical documents used in medical facilities.
3. Apply legal concepts to the medical practice.
4. Communicate professionally with patients, co-workers and providers.
Potential Job Position Titles
Potential entry-level job position titles include Medical Office Assistant, Medical Business Office, Medical Receptionist, Medical Laboratory Assistant, and Phlebotomist.
Program Length
The average length of time for a student taking a full course load is 3.0 semesters.
Program Content
A minimum of 48 credit hours is required for graduation.
Required Courses All courses, 46 semester credit hours, are required.
IS 102 Computers and Application Software
This course provides an introduction to operating systems, browsers, and email as well as word processing, presentation, spreadsheets, and database applications. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 110 Keyboarding
This course includes the development of keyboarding skills through touch, mastery of the keyboard, speed building, and preparation of office documents. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
MO 113 Medical Business Operations
This course introduces the student to the administrative portion of the health care environment as well as important legal and ethical guidelines. Students will become familiar with health information systems including interpersonal communication and customer service techniques, and appointment scheduling. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 129 Medical Office Procedures
This course provides an overview of administrative tasks performed in a medical office. Students will learn about office financial management including accounting concepts, about the types of medical recordkeeping, accepting and entering payments, and human resource management. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 144 Medical Terminology
This course introduces the foundations of the language of medicine and develops medical vocabulary through the study of the structures, functions, diagnostic procedures, pathology, and treatment procedures of the body systems. 1 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
MO 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
This course provides instruction in the study of human diseases with focus on the symptoms, signs, causes, and diagnosis of disease. Additionally, students will learn about pharmacology, drug categories, and pharmacological treatment related to human diseases. 2.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MO 161 Medical Billing and Insurance Procedures
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic types of medical insurance programs available in today's health care system. It also acquaints students with billing formats using the universal claim form and provides the skills necessary to master the basic aspects of medical insurance billing. Current reimbursement methodologies (i.e., RBRVS, APC's) and compliance will also be covered. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: None.
MS 109 Clinical Assisting I
This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to relate to patients and to work with the physician in the medical clinic setting. This course will cover the following topics and procedures: taking and documenting vital signs; doing anthropometric measurements; preparing the exam room and the patient for examinations; assisting the physician with examinations; performing audiometry, vision screening, otoclysis, spirometry and peak flow meter testing; assisting with gynecological exams and sigmoidoscopy; health maintenance; communication principles and telephone technique; patient education; medical emergencies; and psychology. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisites: SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II, MS 144 Medical Terminology, and MS 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
MS 121 Clinical Assisting II
This course provides students with techniques that enable the physician and medical assistant to work as a team in the clinical setting. Topics include infection control, sanitization, disinfection and sterilization, identification of surgical instruments, autoclaving, surgical scrub, sterile gloving, catheterization, sterile tray set up and assisting with minor surgical procedures, sterile skin scrub, suture removal, dressings and bandaging, drug administration including oral and parenteral methods, dosage calculations, drug categories, use of controlled substances, referencing of commonly used drugs, immunizations, and practice of vital signs. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: MS 109 Clinical Assisting I.
MS 131 Clinical Laboratory Procedures I
This course is designed for persons interested in a medical assisting career. It is an introduction to diagnostic procedures routinely performed in the physician's office laboratory setting. Student will learn to perform electrocardiography on patients, specimen collection, routine urinalysis, and body fluid analysis. Federal laboratory guidelines and laboratory safety will be presented. This course will also cover the principles of radiology. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisites: SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II, MS 144 Medical Terminology, and MS 146 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.
MS 141 Clinical Laboratory Procedures II
This course is a continuation of physician's office laboratory procedures, including phlebotomy, hematology, blood chemistries, basic principles of microbiology, and serology. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: MS 131 Clinical Laboratory Procedures I.
MS 207 Program Review
This course provides the medical assistant student an introduction to medical law, legal and ethical responsibilities of the physician and the allied health care professional. Medical ethics and bioethical topics are discussed. Professional credentialing opportunities are addressed, as well as practice examinations focused on the graduate sitting for the National Certification Examination offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. 2.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: All didactic course work with a GPA of 2.0.
MS 295 Externship
During the externship phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in the actual field that they have trained for. The externship will provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in the duties typical to a real work place setting. Instruction centers on observing experienced personnel, as well as, participating in actual procedures under close supervision of trained professionals. This portion of training must be completed within one year of completion of didactic training. 4.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: All didactic course work with a GPA of 2.0 and CPR.
SC 145 Anatomy and Physiology I
This course will provide students with information about Anatomy and Physiology relating to each of the following body systems: Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular/joints, Nervous, and Blood and Lymphatic systems. 3.0 credit hours. Co-requisite: SC 145L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab.
SC 145L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
This is the lab portion of SC 145. 1.0 credit hour. Co-requisite: SC 145 Anatomy and Physiology I.
SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II This course will provide students with information about Anatomy and Physiology relating to each of the following body systems: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine, Special Senses, Urinary, and the Male and Female Reproductive systems. 3.0 credit hours. Prerequisite: SC 145 Anatomy and Physiology I. Co-requisite: SC 245L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab.
SC 245L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
This is the lab portion of SC 245. 1.0 credit hour. Co-requisite: SC 245 Anatomy and Physiology II.
Personal Development Courses A minimum of two semester credit hours is required in addition to PD 211.
PD 100 Student Success Skills
This course provides instruction in the both theory and practice of personal growth that lead to successful life experience. Topics include research in critical self-analysis of student habits and attitudes; and psychological impediments to successfully setting and achieving personal goals. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 120 Personal Financial Management
This course deals with the concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents, checking accounts and banking services; income tax procedures; savings methods; investment planning; risk management and insurance; and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 150 Client Services
This course provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 200 Career Development Seminar
This seminar provides an opportunity for the student to apply critical self-examination techniques and processes for developing a career path and an awareness of the need to embed life-long learning into career management. Topics include career planning research, job searching, developing career search documents, and refining interview and communication skills within an awareness of psychological boundaries implicit in this process. Successful completion of this course requires the creation of a professional resume suitable for e-mail. 1.0 credit hour. Prerequisite: None.
PD 211 MA Externship Preparation
This course will assist students in finding and securing the required externship experience for credit. Students must pass this course in order to be cleared to start working at their externship site. Students will discover ways to approach a facility about an externship, assess the tools the will need to successfully get your externship approved and successfully and an externship in the medical field.