Medical Assisting

Effective: Spring 2021
Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

Looking for a career in healthcare? Medical Assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who can perform a variety of administrative and clinical skills. According to the 2019 Labor Market Data report, there will be a 14% increase in annual openings for medical assistants from 2018 to 2023 in the Bay Area Region.


What can I do with this major?

Graduates of the Medical Assisting programs at Chabot College can apply for employment as Medical Assistants in an ambulatory care setting. Job titles include medical assistant, medical receptionist, certified medical assistant, scheduler, and medical office assistant.


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Health and Wellness

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= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

12 units

HLTH 51A
Medical Terminology & the Human Body1

4 units
Terminology and human body structure and function typically used in the medical profession. Explanation of the history of terminology, prefixes, suffixes, and root words with emphasis on spelling, definitions, pronunciation, and an understanding of their meanings. Includes basic understanding of the basic structure and function of the human body as well as medical abbreviations, anatomical, disease, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and additional terms as they relate to each body system.

MEDA 60
Introduction to Medical Assisting2

2 units
This course is an introduction to the Medical Assisting profession. It includes job duties, scope of practice, medical law & ethics, and communication. Medical Assisting is a 2-semester certificated program. This is a pre-requisite, along with HLTH 51A, to enter the medical assisting program. This course also is a pre-requisite for the Medical Assisting-Administrative program.
Course Details:

MEDA 76
Electronic Health Record for the Medical Office

3 units
To prepare the student medical assistant, or any health care professional, to work within an electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software (PMS). This course will provide the knowledge and skills to understand and apply practical applications in the Electronic Health Record, managing the revenue cycle, and documenting patient encounters. As most of the healthcare industry uses electronic health records, this is a valuable course to become familiar with the data that is entered into the medical record and practice management software, how that data is entered and how the data is reviewed and processed throughout all departments of a medical practice.
Course Details:

Computer Course (Choose one)

3 units

CAS 50
Introduction to Computer Application Systems

3 units
Introduction to computer applications systems as it relates to business and home use. Course introduces software topics in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, internet, World Wide Web, electronic mail, file management, data communications and an introduction to basic computer programming. Hardware topics include PC system components and troubleshooting issues. Other topics include computer-based careers and trends, electronic computing issues, terminology, electronic communication skills, ethics, security, and netiquette in today’s business computing environment.
Course Details:
or

CSCI 8
Computer Literacy

3 units
Introduction to computers including: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Multimedia, the internet, browsers, World Wide Web, an awareness of types of computer software in use including programming languages, electronic mail, computer-based careers and trends, and other computing issues in today’s society. No prior computer experience necessary. Course recommended for students of any major who want to learn about computers and how to use them. Hands-on laboratory experience reinforces lecture.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: MTH 55
    2. or
  2. Strongly Recommended: MTH 55A
    3. or
  3. Strongly Recommended: MTH 53
    4. or
  4. Strongly Recommended: MTH 53A
    5. or
  • 1 - Must pass with a "C" or better to enter the Medical Assisting program
  • 2 - Must pass with a "C" or better to enter the Medical Assisting program

Semester 2

11.5 units

Semester 2 involves Clinical experience. Prior to clinical experience the student must submit a medical exam and immunization records. A background check and drug screen may also be required. The CPR card required is the Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association that may be obtained though Chabot College Community or an off campus provider.

HLTH 51B
Advanced Medical Terminology and Disease Process

4 units
Introduction to the nature of disease and to structural and functional changes of diseases as they affect the systems of the body. Discussion of causes, symptoms and treatment of diseases/disorders pertaining to each body system and the body as a whole. Understanding how diseases and disorders affect individuals as well as the population. Identify tools and behaviors that promote health aging to reduce the risk of diseases and disorders.

MEDA 70A
Clinical Skills For the Medical Assistant I

3.5 units
Introduction to the clinical role of the Medical Assistant. Includes basic and advanced skills which are utilized when assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Theory and skills include performing within the scope of practice, vital signs, documentation, preparing and assisting with medical examinations, OSHA regulations, electrocardiograms, sterile technique, injections, oral medications, and first aid.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
  2. Prerequisite: MEDA 60
    3. and
  3. Corequisite: MEDA 75
  4. Corequisite: MEDA 71A

MEDA 71A
Administrative Skills I

2 units
Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory to include the healthcare industry, the medical assisting profession, interpersonal skills and human behavior, law and ethics, computer concepts, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient reception and processing, office/clinic environment and daily operations, written communication and mail processing, medical record management.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
  2. Prerequisite: MEDA 60

MEDA 75
Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant

2 units
Introduction to pharmacology fundamentals. Medication administration fundamentals including study of medications, drug research, drug therapy, immunizations and skin tests. Discuss safe preparation, administration, and documentation of medication given by oral, sublingual, inhalation, topical, vaginal, rectal, transdermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal routes.
Course Details:
  1. Corequisite: MEDA 70A
  2. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
  3. Prerequisite: MEDA 60

Semester 3

10 units

MEDA 70B
Clinical Skills For the Medical Assistant 2

3 units
Continuation of Medical Assisting 70A. Basic and advanced clinical skills common to medical offices and clinics. Use of advanced clinical skills while assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Skills include venipuncture, capillary punctures, CLIA waived laboratory tests, assisting with specialty exams, pharmacology for systems, and pediatric exams and documentation.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: MEDA 70A
    3. and
  3. Prerequisite: MEDA 75
  4. Strongly Recommended: HLTH 51B
  5. Corequisite: MEDA 71B
    6. and
  6. Corequisite: MEDA 73
    7. and
  7. Corequisite: MEDA 74

MEDA 71B
Administrative Skills II

2 units
Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory which include medical coding, health insurance, billing, collections, practice finances, confidentiality and development of life skills. This course also includes resume writing and job search techniques.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: MEDA 71A

MEDA 73
Clinical Experience Practicum

4 units
Application of principles and skills through participation in a simulated employment experience. Assisting the physician under close supervision in a health maintenance organization, or physician’s office or clinic. Practicum - approximately 36 hours a week until required hours are completed - will occur the last 6 weeks of the spring term.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: MEDA 70B
  2. Prerequisite: MEDA 71B
  3. Prerequisite: HLTH 51B
  4. Prerequisite: MEDA 76
  5. Corequisite: MEDA 74

MEDA 74
Clinical Experience Seminar

1 unit
Discussion and analysis of clinical experience in a clinic setting or private physician's office.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: MEDA 70B
  2. Prerequisite: MEDA 71B
  3. Prerequisite: MEDA 76
  4. Prerequisite: HLTH 51B
  5. Corequisite: MEDA 73

All MAERB Core Curriculum Competencies (psychomotor and affective) must be performed and assessed. Each competency must be passed with a 90% or better overall. All critical steps (if applicable) within each competency must be completed successfully or will result in an automatic fail. Each competency can be performed and assessed a second time if first attempt is not passed successfully. Failure to perform and pass all MAERB Core Curriculum Competencies (psychomotor and affective) will result in a course failure.

Total Units: 33.5 units
This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.