Oregon Coast Community College Medical Assistant Program Handbook 2014-2015
Table of Contents I. Medical Assistant Training Program Objectives/Outcomes Policy 2 II. Program Description and Prerequisites Policy 2-3 III. Program Requirements Policy 3-4 IV. Criminal Background Policy 5 V. Drug Testing Policy 5-6 VI. Behavioral Policy 6 VII. Attendance Policy 6-7 VIII. Grading Policy 7 IX. Dress Code Policy 8 X. Skills Laboratory Policy 8-9 XI. Clinical Policy 9 1
I. Medical Assistant Training Program Objectives/Outcomes To inform the Medical Assistant students of the Objectives/Outcomes of the Medical Assistant Program. Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Training Program, the student will meet the following minimum objectives: A. Interact in a caring and respectful manner with patients, families, and the health care team. B. Establish and manage office procedures and implement medical documentation systems using appropriate medical technology. C. Perform the administrative business tasks required in a medical office. D. Assist the physician and other members of the health care team in clinical procedures related to the examination and treatment of patients. E. Comply with quality assurance requirements in performing clinical laboratory procedures. F. Perform common diagnostic procedures under a licensed healthcare provider to ensure patient comfort and safety. II. Program Description and Prerequisites Policy To provide the Medical Assistant student with the description and prerequisites of the Medical Assistant Program. The Oregon Coast Community College Medical Assistant Program is a 41-hour (minimum) program. Students successfully completing all 41 credits will earn a one-year Medical Assistant certificate. The course combines on-line and classroom instruction, laboratory skill instruction, and supervised hands-on clinical experiences. The classroom and laboratory skills portion of the program occur at Oregon Coast Community College, South County Campus in Waldport. The clinical experience portion of the program occurs within Lincoln County. 2
The Medical Assistant Program prepares students for entry level employment in a physician s clinic or a variety of other health care settings. Program graduates will have the academic, administrative and clinical skills necessary for an allied health care profession. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as, computers, office procedures, communications, psychology and mathematics. This program is financial-aid eligible. PROCEDURE: Prior to enrollment in the Medical Assistant training the following are required of all applicants: Step 1. Read through the entire application packet. Step 2. Go to the OCCC website, Medical Assisting section and read: The Disqualifying Crimes and Potentially Disqualifying Crimes lists. Step 3. Complete an online application through OCCC. Step 4. Complete a FASFA application. Step 5. Come to Oregon Coast Community College to take the Compass Placement test. Information on the Placement test is located at the end of this application. You must place into RD 115, WR115, and MTH 20 or show proof of taking and passing these courses to be eligible to apply. Step 6. Meet with an academic advisor at Oregon Coast Community College Step 7. Complete the application form, including the signed Agreement Form. Step 8. CPR certification. a. We accept American Heart Association Health Care Provider BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR/AED). Please visit the SHS website at www.samhealth.org. b. Your CPR certification may not expire during the program. Step 9. Criminal Background Check must be completed between November 1, 2014 and December 1, 2014 at: www.occcbackgroundcheck.com. Results will be communicated directly to us. Step 10. Drug Screening must be completed between November 1, 2014 and December 1, 2014, at Samaritan Health Services Occupational Medicine located at 775 SW 9 th St., Suite E, in Newport. No appointment is needed. Their phone number is 541-574-4675. Hours are 8:00-11:30 and 1:00-4:30. Results will be communicated directly to us. Step 11. Register with Complio through American DataBank to show proof of immunizations, TB testing and CPR training. Step 12. All students will complete the required Samaritan Health System Training. This will be done during the first week of winter term of NCMA113. III. Program Requirements Policy To provide the Medical Assistant student with the program requirements for the Career Pathway Certificate in Medical Assisting or the one year Medical Assistant certificate. 3
A. Program Description: The Oregon Coast Community College Medical Assistant Program prepares students for entry level employment in a physician s clinic or a variety of other health care settings. Program graduates will have the academic, administrative and clinical skills necessary for an allied health care professional. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as computers, office procedures, communications, psychology and mathematics. B. To successfully complete the Medical Assistant Training Program the student must: Complete classroom instruction. Attend skills laboratory instruction and successfully demonstrate all skills (NCMA102 and NCMA112). Attend required supervised clinical experience. The student must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic care to clinics and work in medical office or clinic settings to the satisfaction of the clinical instructor (NCMA113 and NCMA123). C. Reading Assignments: Will be assigned by the instructor. D. Course Schedule: Will be provided to each student on the first day of each of the Medical Assistant courses. E. Grading: Grading will be based on chapter homework, class attendance and participation, mid-term, and written finals and procedures finals. Grading scale: 90% - 100% = A 80% - 89% = B 75% - 79% = C Below 75% = F F. Skills lab and Checklists: The skills lab will monitor competency for required skills through the use of the Competency Checklists. Students will be required to master all the necessary skills before being allowed to enter the clinical environment. In addition, all skills will then need to be achieved in the clinical environment in order to successfully complete the Medical Assistant Program. G. Clinical Experience: The student will be expected to conform to the guidelines when performing client care. H. Course Fees: Standard OCCC tuition and fees apply to this program. Please check the OCCC schedule for current tuition and fees. 4
IV. Criminal Background Policy All prospective students are required by law to complete a criminal background check before being considered eligible for admission into the Medical Assistant Practicum course NCMA113. The results of which are used to determine if the prospective student is qualified to work with vulnerable people in the State of Oregon. Each student is responsible for locating, reading, and reviewing the list of disqualifying crimes to be eligible for this program. A. The purpose of this policy is to provide for the reasonable screening of subject individuals in order to determine if they have a history of criminal behavior such that they should not be allowed to oversee, live or work closely with, or provide services to vulnerable people. B. These rules are to be applied when evaluating criminal history of a subject individual and conducting fitness determinations based upon such history. The fact that a subject individual is approved does not guarantee placement in the Medical Assistant Program. C. The criminal background check is conducted through American Database. D. The student is required to complete the process using a web-based program. E. If the student has difficulty with the process, he or she must contact the OCCC Nursing & Health Occupations Administrative Office at 541-867-8548 to resolve the problem. F. All expenses incurred with the Criminal Background Check area the responsibility of the prospective student. G. The results are released to OCCC. The Director of Nursing and Health Occupations is authorized to review the results of the criminal background checks and makes the final determination for eligibility based on the Department of Human Services Criminal History Check rules. V. Drug Testing Policy To inform all students of the Drug Testing requirements for the Program. A. Each candidate will undergo a drug screening prior to being considered eligible for admittance to the OCCC Medical Assistant Practicum course. A positive drug test will disqualify students from the clinical area and result in expulsion from the Medical assistant training program. B. Cooperating with the drug testing policies of Oregon Coast Community College is a condition for continued enrollment in the course. A student will be required to comply with the drug testing policy. C. The candidate will be notified of when and where to schedule the drug test and be given directions prior to the test. The cost of the drug test is the responsibility of the student. D. Candidates will be notified by OCCC of the results of their drug test. 5
E. Random and unannounced drug testing may be required when a reasonable belief that class or clinical behavior may be the result of the presence of a drug. F. The presence, as determined by the program s test procedures, of prescription or non-prescription drugs, controlled substances, or cannabis, for other than legal and legitimate uses, may result in immediate dismissal from the site and removal from the program. VI. Behavioral Policy To inform the Medical Assistant students of the Behavioral Expectations of the Medical Assistant Program. Throughout the program, in the classroom, skills laboratory, and clinical setting, the student will meet the following minimum objectives: A. Practice good health habits and personal hygiene; B. Present a professional appearance in dress and attitude; C. Be aware of cultural differences and help to promote the learning of fellow students; D. Come to class on time, prepared to participate in the classroom discussions and activities; E. Be prepared for the Skills Lab by reading the skills prior to class; F. Adhere to the Policies and Procedures of the Program; G. Maintain the learning environment by arriving on time, turning off cell phones, and not being disruptive during class; and H. Show improvement throughout the training as documented on the Skills Competency checklist. VII. Attendance Policy To provide the Medical Assistant students with the attendance requirements of the Medical Assistant Training Program. Students who successfully complete all 41 credits will receive a one-year Medical Assistant Certificate. PROCEDURE: A. Students must be in attendance and on-time at all skills lab and clinical sessions. A class schedule is distributed on the first day of each course. Students are responsible for following this schedule and attending classroom, skills laboratory, and clinical days. B. Any planned absence or illness must be prearranged with the primary instructor prior to the start of that classroom or clinical day. 6
C. Any unplanned absence or illness must be phoned in prior to the start of that day s class and/or clinical. D. Any unreported tardiness the day of class or clinical may be counted as a full day absence. Student will meet with the primary instructor to determine the course of action. E. All absences are required to be made up prior to completion of the program. VIII. Grading Policy To inform all student of the Grading Policy. The student will be graded throughout the course according to the policy. A. Grading: Grading will be based on chapter homework, class attendance and participation, mid-term and written finals and procedures finals. Grading scale: 90% - 100% = A 80% - 90% = B 75% - 80% = C Below 75% = F B. Cheating on a quiz or an exam will not be tolerated and the student will be punishable up to and including termination from the Program. C. The skills lab and clinical grade is pass or fail. D. During your attendance at skills lab, your clinical instructor will monitor your competency for required skills through the use of the required skills checklists. You will be required to master all the required skills before being allowed to enter the clinical environment. In addition, all skills will need to be achieved in the clinical environment in order to successfully complete the Medical Assistant Program. E. If the student chooses not to complete the course, and the student must complete an official drop through the Sharknet student registration system ( MYOCCC account). F. If the student does not drop the course he/she will receive an F grade. Failure to drop a class could impact future financial aid. 7
IX. Dress Code Policy To provide the Medical Assistant students with the Dress Code. Dress Code: A. OCCC designated uniforms, wine-colored scrubs, will be worn in the skills laboratory and in the clinical areas. The uniform must be neat and clean at all times. B. OCCC Medical Assistant nametags will be worn at all times during classroom and clinical hours. C. Shoes worn in the clinical areas will be clean and white with minimal markings. No open toes or open heels will be allowed. D. Hygiene conducive to client/patient contact: Hair clean and off the collar Beards neat and clean, not presenting a safety hazard. Fingernails trimmed and clean No acrylic nails allowed. Jewelry worn should be minimal and appropriate. Students will be allowed one pair of stud-type earrings only. No other piercings such as eyebrows, tongues, ears, etc. No heavy makeup, perfume, or aftershave. E. Students may not wear any article of clothing or have affixed to their person anything such as pins, button, caps, shirts, etc., which contain vulgar or offensive written materials or symbols. F. Students must turn off cell phones and/or beepers during classroom, skills laboratory and clinical sessions. X. Skills Laboratory Policy To provide the Medical Assistant students, with the guidelines for the use of the classroom skills laboratory. The students will follow these guidelines when using the classroom laboratory: A. Skills Laboratory is part of your training requirements. You will be provided an opportunity to practice after every class lecture. You will perform each skill in the presence of an instructor. B. The Skills Laboratory is a place for learning and working together. An instructor is available to assist you during your practice time. C. All designated skills must be completed in the Skills Laboratory before the clinical experience. All skills must be demonstrated during the laboratory time. 8
D. Students are required to bring the Delmar Learning s Clniial Medical Assisting Pocket Guide, 1 st Edition, to the skills laboratory beginning winter term. E. Students are required to leave the lab area and equipment ready for use for the next laboratory class. Please allow time for this at the end of the class. F. The instructor may require students to continue practice or repeat skills as needed. G. Food and drink are not allowed in the skills laboratory at any time. H. Students must turn off cell phones and/or beepers during skills lab sessions. Students will be required to master all the required skills according to the required Competency Checklists in order to be successful in the clinical environment and pass this segment of the course. XI. Clinical Policy To inform students of the expectations Clinical Experience portion of the Medical Assistant Training Program. The student will meet the following clinical expectations: A. Be deemed qualified by a criminal record check prior to providing client/patient care in the clinical setting and successfully pass a mandatory drug screen prior to providing client/patient care in the clinical setting. B. Completing the skills checklist safely and satisfactorily as evaluated by the clinical instructor. C. Report to the clinical area on time. Notify the clinical instructor upon arrival, if late. D. Call and notify the clinical instructor at least one (2) hours prior to the start of the shift if an absence is unavoidable. E. Work closely with the assigned clinical staff. F. When leaving the clinical area for breaks, meals, or at the end of the shift, students report to whom they have been assigned. G. One 15-minute break is allowed every 4 hours. One 30-minute meal break is to be taken. No additional breaks are allowed. No one is allowed to leave the clinical area before the end of the shift without permission from the clinical instructor. H. If in doubt about how to proceed or what to do in any clinical situation, clarify it with the assigned clinical staff. I. Contact the clinical instructor immediately if involved in a situation where an Incident Report needs to be completed. J. Show improvement throughout the course K. If a student needs additional assistance with a skill to gain competency, the problem will be identified and recommendations for improvement made by the instructor during a conference with the student. L. Any student who performs an unsafe act that threatens client/patient safety or abandoning the duty station will be at risk of probation or termination from the Program. M. Charting/documentation will follow the guidelines of the facility where the clinical experience takes place. N. Students will be required to master all the required skills according to the required Skills Checklists in order to be successful in the clinical environment and pass this segment of the course. O. Absences must be reported two hours prior to the start of the shift by phone to the clinical instructor. P. Students must notify the assigned clinical staff when taking breaks or leaving the clinical area at the end of the shift. Q. Students must complete the prescribed mandatory clinical hours of clinical prior to receiving a Certificate of Medical Assisting (NCMA113 and NCMA 123). 9