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Degree Overview
Course Descriptions
Admissions Information
Tuition & Financial Aid
Days until classes:
Next classes start
Jun 4th
Program Length: 20 months (may be completed in as little as 15 months)
Available at the following locations:
California Locations: National City, San Diego, San Marcos
Degree Overview
Medical Specialties Job Outlook
Technological advances in medicine and the aging of the baby boomer population, along with the rise in obesity, diabetes, and other medical conditions, is expected to increase the demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Medical assistants, who perform the administrative and clinical tasks that keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly, are a vital part of the healthcare services field, and employment is expected to grow by 34 percent between 2008 and 2018. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is ranked among the fastest-growing occupations.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm)
Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties
The Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties at California College San Diego is designed to graduate well-rounded medical assistants with practical skills in radiology, billing/coding, and laboratory procedures, who are prepared for entry-level opportunities in a variety of medical settings. Successful completion of this program can also prepare graduates for certification or licensing in various medical specialties. Note that the radiology courses are limited scope, and are not for RRT certification.
Medical Specialties Careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants are valuable throughout the healthcare field—in 2008 62% of medical assistants worked in offices of physicians; 13% worked in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities; and 11% worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors and optometrists. Most of the remainder worked in other healthcare industries, such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care facilities.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm)
| Program Information | Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties |
|---|---|
| Occupations Degree Prepares For (and SOC code of occupation) |
Medical Assistants - 31-9092.00 |
| Tuition and Fees | $40,385 |
| Cost of Books | Included |
| Room and Board | N/A |
| Job Placement Rate * | 56% |
| On-Time Completion Rate | 26.38% |
| Median Title IV Debt | $21,900 |
| Median Non-Title IV Debt | $2,813 |
| Median Loan Debt | $25,538 |
Course Descriptions
CourseCourse NameCredits
Course Description
Click a course to the left to see the course description here.
Tip: Reading course descriptions is a great way to help you decide if a degree is right for you.
Computer Fundamentals
This course introduces the elements of several popular computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation design, Emphasis will be placed on the basic fundamentals of document creation, saving, and printing along with the more advanced concepts of presentation design.
Credits: 3.5
Nursing Assisting Theory
Teaches basic nursing care for patients who are hospitalized or in extended-care facilities.
Credits: 3.0
Nurse Assisting Practice
This class continues the instruction of Nurse Assisting Theory, including care of the daily activities of the long-term care resident, skills for assisting the resident including feeding, toileting,exercise techniques and psycho-social issues.
Credits: 3.0
Computerized Medical Administration
Provides the student with the training required to keep consistent with computer software that is used in the billing areas of the medical and dental fields. Real life activities and simulations reinforce basic billing skills. Conflict management and billing collection are taught. This course uses a medical office simulation to introduce the student to the everyday functioning of a medical office.
Credits: 3.0
Computerized Pharmacy Systems and Databases
This course provides the student with the training required to keep consistent with computer software that is used in the pharmacy. Real life activities and simulations reinforce basic skills.
Credits: 3.0
Communication Arts
This course focuses on developing critical thinking and communication skills in both verbal and nonverbal areas. Emphasis is placed on debate, panel discussions, committee work, conflict resolution, interviews, and editorial writing.
Credits: 4.0
Externship
The student performs a 180-hour externship at an approved location and is supervised on a weekly basis both by the on-site professional(s) assigned to the student and by the instructor from the College. During the externship, the student gains proficiency to an employee-acceptable level in the specific program he or she is studying.
Credits: 6.0
American Civilization
This course covers the history of the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Emphasis is on the economic, political, and social development of our country.
Credits: 4.0
Medical Laboratory Procedures
Introduces the fundamental knowledge of hematology and complete hematology tests, including WBC and RBC, differential counts, blood smears and staining techniques, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood typing, blood glucose, sedimentation rates, and mono reagent testing.
Credits: 3.0
Medical Laboratory Processes
Provides the student with an opportunity to practice his or her clinical testing knowledge. Complete urinalysis (physical, chemical, and microscopic) and reagent testing, including pregnancy and rapid strep testing, are taught. Students will observe these skills in actual clinical laboratory conditions.
Credits: 3.0
Phlebotomy/IV Therapy
Covers how to draw blood using vacutainer, butterfly, and syringe methods. Students will learn the correct vacutainer tube to use for different hematological procedures. IV therapeutics are part of this course. Students will observe these skills in actual medical facility conditions.
Credits: 3.0
Medical Terminology, Law, and Ethics
Introduces terminology that is specific to the medical profession. Course enables students to translate prefixes, suffixes, and root words from their Greek and Latin word parts. Elements will be able to be combined into medical terms. Course also covers medical laws, ethics, and bioethics.
Credits: 4.0
Medical Aseptic Procedures
Teaches aseptic technique, including proper hand washing. Disinfection and sterilization is taught, along with universal (standard) precautions and infection control as specified by OSHA.
Credits: 3.0
Cardiopulmonary/ECG
Covers electrocardiography, standardization of the ECG, identifying artifacts, recognition of arrhythmia, and 12-lead ECG. The student may certify as an ECG technician after satisfactorily passing this class.
Credits: 3.0
Medical Clinical Procedures
Focuses on clinical and microbiological testing. Microscope use is taught, along with specimen collection and cultures and sensitivities. Gramstaining procedures are also taught.
Credits: 3.0
Vital Signs and Emergencies
Presents the proper way of taking patients' vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, height, and weight). Growth charting for children is also covered. CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Community First Aid and Safety are taught and certified through the American Heart Association.
Credits: 3.0
Medical Billing
Introduces the fundamentals of bookkeeping procedures. Covers payroll, spreadsheets, ledgers, and transactions documents. Management and filing specific to the medical office will also be included.
Credits: 3.0
Medical Records and Communication
Prepares the student to work with the medical community and patients using interpersonal communication, developing both written and verbal skills. Introduces the student to work performed in medical administration. Medical records including POMR and SOAP are covered as well as telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, mail handling and medical reception skills.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to Modality Procedures
This course introduces the student to the different modalities available to aid the physician in making a diagnosis. Topics of study will include various modalities procedures, physics, computation formulas and the duties of diagnostic personnel.
Credits: 3.0
Anatomy and Physiology
Covers the anatomy and physiology of the major systems of the body including but not limited to the integumentary system, the muscle and skeletal systems, the nervous system, the reproductive system, the digestive system, and the endocrine system. Course includes basic organization and general plan of the body including cells, membranes, and tissues.
Credits: 4.0
Professional Medical Coding
Covers the study of insurance using computer coding software. Includes speed and accuracy of coding using ICD-9, CPT-4, and HCPCS rules. Pre-tests are included in this course to better prepare students for certification.
Credits: 3.0
Insurance Specialist
Covers medical insurance and insurance filing. Students learn to properly fill out insurance forms and understand electronic claim submission. Students also learn about different health insurance programs, government programs, and managed-care programs.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to Logic
This course focuses on the techniques for determining the validity of arguments and analyzing problems in the world. Topics include a discussion of informal fallacies, Aristotelian logic, and symbolic logic.
Credits: 4.0
Drug Administration
Covers fundamental information on drug administration. Administration of drugs, including injectable (subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular) methods are taught. Properly withdrawing medication, calculation of dosages, syringe calibrations, and different injection sites are also taught in the course.
Credits: 3.0
Pharmacy Essentials
This course teaches the student essential concepts of pharmacy and pharmaceutical terminology. The student learns the pharmacy rules of the state and how they impact the role of the pharmacy technician, regulatory standards in pharmacy practice, ethical considerations for the pharmacy technician, infection control and prevention in the pharmacy, and the various categories of nonprescription products and over-the-counter drugs and counseling related to those items.
Credits: 3.0
Principles of Pharmacy Technology
Teaches basics of being a pharmacy technician. History, laws and ethics, packaging and dispensing medications, medication preparation, pharmaceutical calculations and communications are part of this course.
Credits: 4.0
Pharmacy Technology Applications
Studies the therapeutic applications of drugs, biopharmaceutics, different characteristics and actions of drugs, administration of drugs, and drug distribution.
Credits: 3.0
Psychology of Motivation
Students review skills necessary to be successful in college, including: note-taking, study skills, writing, finding and using information on the Internet, and reading/understanding college-level text. Students are exposed to basic motivation theories, values clarification, and philosophic principles.
Credits: 4.0
Professional Development
This course addresses employment search and acquisition skills. Topics include matching qualifications with job requirements, resume preparation, and job applications. Also includes cover letters, follow-up letters, resignation letters, and recommendation letters. Classroom activities include discussion of basic interviewer questions and interviewing techniques.
Credits: 4.0
Total Courses: 29Total Credits: 98.5
Admissions Information
Applicants for admission to the College must have graduated from an accredited high school, private secondary school, or have completed the equivalent (GED). All students who graduate after January 2006 must provide a high school transcript to check eligibility for the new Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG).
Getting started is as simple as making a phone call-we're happy to answer any questions you may have and can get you on your way to enrollment as soon as you're ready. Click here for more information about the admissions process.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Some people have the idea that they cannot afford college. You may even be one of them. The truth is, once you know the facts, college may be much more affordable than you think. Financial aid is available if you qualify. In fact, many students are amazed at the financial aid they're eligible to receive. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid section for more information.
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