Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | AHS-2070-VM01Y - Clinical Medical Assisting

Hybrid Class

Hybrid courses combine online instruction with limited in-person meetings throughout the semester. Hybrid courses can take place in standard or accelerated formats.

Faculty

Brenton Murphy
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Danielle Lafleur Brooks

Course Description

This course introduces the clinical skills utilized by the medical assistant and prepares students for the Clinical Medical Assisting Internship. Instruction includes theory, principles, and clinical skills related to infection control, patient care, documentation, patient education, and the operation and maintenance of clinical equipment. Course content integrates elements of medical terminology and anatomy and physiology. Career preparation and development is undertaken with the creation of a resume, which can be used for future internship placement. This course includes a lab and is aligned with the Certified Clinical Medical Assisting (CCMA) exam, which can be taken upon the successful completion of the subsequent internship course. Prerequisites: Medical Terminology, and Human Biology, or equivalent knowledge, and a criminal background check.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe the role, responsibilities, and scope of practice of a medical assistant, including variations that may exist in different states within the U.S.
2. Identify and explain the functions of regulatory agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), and describe the consequences of non-compliance in physician’s offices and clinical facilities.
3. Describe ethical and legal responsibilities in a healthcare setting, including an understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as it applies to the professional role of a medical assistant.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of patient intake, including identifiers, history, screenings, abnormal signs and symptoms, and vital signs, including equipment used and procedural steps. 
5. Describe the methods for preparing and maintaining examination and treatment areas, preventing infection by using aseptic techniques, establishing a sterile field, and preparing and positioning the patient for examinations, procedures, and treatments.
6. Identify infectious agents, the chain of infection, standard and universal precautions, and guidelines for the safe handling of chemical and biological hazards as required by OSHA.
7. Describe point-of-care testing, identify waived tests included in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), specimen collection, and discuss the role of the medical assistant in performing tests under the guidance of a supervising medical professional. 
8. Identify techniques and methods for electrocardiography (EKG), including patient positioning, supplies, machine components, and procedural steps. 
9. Describe professionalism in a healthcare setting, including time management, respectful behavior, appropriate attire, and personal hygiene.
10. Identify and investigate communication problems arising from cultural differences in healthcare settings among patients, coworkers, and supervisors.
11. Research employment opportunities, prepare a cover letter and professional resume, and participate in a mock interview.
12. Identify and describe the impact discrimination, bias, systemic racism, and the social determinants of health have on the health outcomes of protected individuals and marginalized groups.

Laboratory Objectives:

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

Textbook Information will be posted here by May 19.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.