MEDA 126 - Clinical Procedures A

• Perform selected procedures utilized by medical assistants, including:
  • measure and record vital signs
  • patient assessment
  • room preparation
  • assisting with patient exams and treatments
• Accurately measure and record:
  • blood pressure
  • temperature
  • pulse
  • respirations
  • height
  • weight (adult and infant)
  • length (infant)
  • head circumference (infant)
  • oxygen saturation
• Document on a growth chart.
• Perform patient screening following established protocols.
• Instruct and prepare a patient for a procedure or a treatment.
• Assist provider with a patient exam.
• Input patient data using an electronic system.
• Identify normal and abnormal as reported in:
  • graphs 
  • tables
• Identify basic principles of first aid.
• Perform first aid procedures:
  • bleeding
  • diabetic coma or insulin shock
  • stroke
  • seizures
  • environmental emergency
  • syncope
• Provide up-to date documentation of provider/professional CPR.
• Comply with safety practices.
• Participate in blood-borne pathogen training.
• Identify the principles of standard precautions.
• Identify personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Select appropriate barrier/PPE.
• Perform handwashing.
• Identify the following as practiced within an ambulatory care setting:
  • medical asepsis
  • surgical asepsis
• Identify methods of controlling the growth of microorganisms.
• Prepare items for autoclaving.
• Perform sterilization procedures.
• Prepare a sterile field and perform within a sterile field.
• Perform wound care and a dressing change.
• Demonstrate proper disposal of biohazardous material:
  • sharps
  • regulated wastes
• Identify safety techniques that can be used in responding to accidental exposure to:
  • blood
  • other bodily fluids
  • needle sticks 
  • chemicals
• Identify principles of:
  • body mechanics
  • ergonomics
• Use proper body mechanics.
• Identify fire safety issues in an ambulatory healthcare environment.
• Identify critical elements of an emergency plan for response to a natural disaster or other emergency.
• Demonstrate proper use of:
  • eyewash equipment
  • fire extinguishers
• Identify the physical manifestations and emotional behaviors on persons involved in an emergency. 
• Identify the purpose of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in a healthcare setting.
• Evaluate an environment to identify unsafe conditions.
• Recognize the role of the medical assistant during minor office surgeries.
• Identify common surgical instruments and describe the care of those instruments. Discuss splinting, casting and the removal of casts.
• Prepare and give proper post-operative instructions to patients during the post-operative period.
• Demonstrate active listening and respond to non-verbal communication.
• Correctly use and pronounce medical terminology in health care interactions.

1. Measuring vital signs using correct equipment and proper technique for: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, height, weight (adult and infant), length (infant), head circumference (infant), oxygen saturation.
2. Patient assessment skills utilized by medical assistants, including health histories, interviews, and patient concerns
3. Preparing patients for and assisting with exams, diagnostic procedures, and treatments 
4. Infection control and asepsis
5. Sterile technique and procedures
6. Surgical equipment commonly used in the physician’s office or clinic
7. Sanitization and sterilization
8. Wound care, suture removal
9. Splinting and casting
10. Discipline specific vocabulary 
11. Assessment and response to patient concerns, over the phone and in person
12. First Aid emergencies
13. CPR/BLS certification
14. Fire Safety