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CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM

2STUDENT HANDBOOKApproved: 9/13STUDENT HANDBOOKMcLennan Community College provides equal education opportunity for allqualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, disability,race, creed or religion, color, age, national origin or any other unlawful factorsin its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title VIand Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 and the AgeDiscrimination Act of 1978.

3TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction Program Philosophy . .5College Mission Statement . 6Program Mission Statement .7Program Goals . 7Essential Functions . 8Elements for Success in the Workplace . .11Curriculum . 14Cost Approximation . .16CMA Program Policies and Procedures:Health Policy . 18Transfer Policy . 16Semester Conferences . 18Change of Personal Information . 19Attendance Policy . 19Grade Reporting . 19Grade Requirements . 20Scholastic and Program Probation . 20Withdrawing From a Course . 20Readmission to the CMA Program . 21Classroom and Lab Safety . 22Laboratory Uniforms . 23Appearance/Grooming . 23Cell Phone Policy . 24Academic Dishonesty . 24Student Ethics, Professional Behaviors and Generic Abilities . 27Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism . 32The Clinical Education Process . 34Responsibilities of CMA Faculty . 35Responsibilities of Clinical Supervisors . 36Responsibilities of Students . 37Critical Safety Skills . 38Clinical Regulations and Guidelines:Health Forms/Immunization . 40Drug Screen and Criminal Background Check . 40CPR Certification . 44

4Clinical Assignments . 44Clinical Placement Policy . 45Clinical Affiliation Sites . 45Clinical Attendance. 46Patient Care . 46Clinical Dress Policy . 46Schedule of Student Affiliations . 47Liability Insurance . 47Accidental Injury and/or Health Coverage . 47Evaluation of Student Performance . 47Clinical Grading . 48Clinical Forms . 50Student Introduction Form . 50Clinical Orientation Form . 50Progress Report. 50Student Evaluation of Clinical Experience . 50Assessment of CMA Program . 51Professional Conduct . 51CMA Code of Ethics . 52Standards of Conduct for CMAs . 53Certification . 55Appendix A -Acknowledgment Form . 56Appendix B- Master Competency List .57

5INTRODUCTIONThe McLennan Community College Certified Medical Assistant Programaccepted the first class of students in 2010. All information regarding retentionrates, graduation rates, and professional certification examination pass ratescan be found on our website at: www.mclennan.edu/departments/hsp/cma/The CMA program is a two-year associate degree program which begins eachfall semester. Students earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree uponsuccessful completion of the program and become eligible to take the NationalCertification examination approved by the National Health Career Association.Graduates of the program who pass the certification examination receive acertification as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and may use thedesignation of Certified Clinical Medical Assistant.PROGRAM ACCREDITATIONThe Medical Assistant program at McLennan Community College is accredited bythe Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs(CAAHEPs).Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158Clearwater, FL 33763Phone: 727-210-2350Fax: 727-210-2354EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENTMcLennan Community College provides equal education opportunity for allqualified students and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, disability,race, creed or religion, color, age, national origin or any other unlawful factorsin its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title VIand Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 and the AgeDiscrimination Act of 1978.

6PROGRAM PHILOSOPHYThe faculty of the Certified Medical Assistant Program are committed topreparing graduates who can safely and effectively perform as an entrylevel certified medical assistant based on stated terminal competencies. Theprogram philosophy consists of the following principles:1.Each individual has a right to respect and dignity. The physical,psychological, sociological and spiritual needs of each individual mustbe considered.2.Learning is the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, skills andattitudes that leads to changes in the behavior of the learner. Educationis a systematic process that assists the student in using what is learned.3.Student-teacher interaction is vital to the learning process. The role ofthe faculty is to coordinate the entry level education of the studentthrough a planned curriculum, and the responsibility of the student isto actively seek out new learning experiences.4.Medical Assisting is a form of health care that identifies, prevents,corrects, and alleviates acute or chronic conditions of an anatomic orphysiologic origin. The role of the certified medical assistant is to workunder the direction and supervision of a licensed medical doctor and assistthe physician in providing the highest quality of health care possible.COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENTMcLennan Community College affirms its mission to provide a comprehensiverange of educational programs and services for students and a dynamic,multicultural community. The College is committed to excellence in all of itseducational programs. McLennan Community College endorses the concept ofopen admissions and provides support services designed to assist students tosucceed in their educational goals.

7To accomplish its mission, McLennan Community College will periodicallyassess community needs and provide:1.Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences which mayapply to an associate or a baccalaureate degree;2.Vocational and technical programs leading to an associate degree ora certificate which prepares students for employment or jobadvancement;3.A program of continuing education to provide courses, activities, andservices, both on campus and within the community, for personalgrowth, skill development, and career enhancement;4.Opportunities for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and thedevelopment of good citizenship through courses, activities, andservices.PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENTThe Medical Assistant Program will prepare graduates for entry level employmentwho possess the knowledge and skills to perform safe and ethical patient care intheir communities. The knowledge gained will serve as the foundation for furtherdevelopment of technical skills and understanding of the overall health context inwhich our graduates perform. “Excellence in healthcare through excellence ineducation.” A graduate of the Certified Medical Assistant Program will be ableto:1.Work under the direction and supervision of a Medical Doctor in anethical, legal, safe and effective manner;2.Implement a comprehensive plan of care developed by a Physician;3.Communicate regularly and professionally with the supervisingphysician about the patient's progress and the potential need formodification of the plan of care by the physician according to changesin patient status;

84.Perform appropriate data collection techniques within the knowledgeand limits of practice of the assistant to assist the supervising physicianin monitoring and modifying the plan of care;5.Interact with patients and families in a manner which provides thedesired psychosocial support including the recognition of culturaland socioeconomic differences;6.Participate in the teaching of other health care providers, patients andfamilies;7.Accurately and precisely document relevant aspects of patienttreatment;8.Participate in healthcare planning and follow-up care;9.Demonstrate effective written, oral and nonverbal communicationwith patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, andthe public.10. Work in a manner that reflects an understanding of the role andresponsibilities of the CMA within the healthcare delivery system;11. Integrate into practice the knowledge gained utilizing evidence basedpractice reviews of current professional and medical literature;12. Participate in continuing development of knowledge and skills.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSThe position of Certified Medical Assistant in various health care settings hasspecific academic, physical and mental requirements. The CMA must be ableto administer and manage patient care and treatment under the direction andsupervision of and following evaluation by a Physician.

9ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:Graduate of the Certified Medical Assisting program at McLennan CommunityCollegeThe following skills are required in the Certified Medical Assistantprogram as well as in the job setting:PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:1. Satisfactory verbal, reading, and writing skills to effectively and promptlycommunicate in English2. Sufficient eyesight to read paper or computer generated medicalrecords; read instrument panels; and apply therapeutic modalities.3. Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and other membersof the health care team, monitor patients by hearing instrumentsignals and alarms4. Sufficient smell to assess patient status and maintain a safe practiceenvironment5. Sufficient fine touch discrimination to palpate pathologic changes in softtissue6. Sufficient fine and gross motor coordination to manipulate/operateequipment controls and to perform manual treatment/assessmenttechniques.7. Satisfactory physical strength to transport, move or lift patientsrequiring all levels of assistance and to perform prolonged periodsof standing, walking, sitting, bending, crawling, reaching, pushing,and pulling8. Satisfactory intellectual, emotional, and interpersonal skills to ensurepatient safety, to exercise independent judgment and discretion in

10the performance of assigned responsibilities, and to interact withpatients, families, and other health care workers.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (other job duties may be required)1. Administers treatment in a safe manner as planned and directed by thePhysician2. Monitors patient progress and response to treatment recognizing andreporting to the Physician needs for program change, reassessment,and/or discontinuance of treatment3. Documents patient progress and status at discharge in the medicalrecord according to departmental policies.4. Participates in patient and/or family education which may includeinstructions in home treatments5. Provides direct supervision of other clinic personnel when delegatingpatient treatment. Per facility policy.CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT STUDENTCHARACTERISTICS Responsibility for own learning Commitment to completing the program Values congruent with those of health care personnel Responsibility for demonstrating attitudes and behaviors expected of theCMA Effective interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to diversity

11 Responsibility for timely and accurate communication with allindividuals involved with the program Responsibility for adhering to institutional and program policies andprocedures as documented in student handbooks Active participation and partnering in the planning and preparationfor the clinical education experience Awareness that a legal and binding contract exists between theacademic program and clinical site Responsibility for participation in the ongoing assessment of all aspectsof the CMA programELEMENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THEWORKPLACEThe following skills have been identified as essential elements for success inthe workplace. At the beginning of each CMA course, students will be givena list of objectives which will include the following skills or competencies.FOUNDATION SKILLSF1.BASIC /mathematicsSpeakingListening