Curriculum

Medical Assistant Diploma Curriculum

Penn Foster’s online, self-paced Medical Assistant Diploma Program can help students prepare for industry-standard exams from home. Geared toward building foundational skills, you’ll cover courses from an Introduction to Medical Terminology to Clinical Procedures.

Medical Assistant

Career Diploma

11 months

As low as $59/mo

Full Program Overview

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Medical Assistant Diploma Curriculum

60.9 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
38 exams
5 projects

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 11 months
Average time = 16 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

In this course, you’ll be introduced to the profession of medical assisting, and explore the pivotal role these professionals play in healthcare delivery. You’ll learn about the historical evolution of medical assisting, ethical guidelines, and the scope of practice. The course also covers essential communication skills, patient interaction techniques, confidentiality and HIPAA requirements, and professional conduct standards necessary for success in clinical and administrative settings.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate professional behavior and etiquette in a medical practice
- Demonstrate professional behavior and etiquette in a medical practice
- Practice daily task management
- Perform tasks within the medical assistant's scope of practice and role within the medical office
- Communicate clearly with patients
In this course, you’ll explore the nuances of the language of medicine. You’ll begin by recognizing how the medical language is rooted in Greek and Latin. Then, you’ll learn about the three word elements; prefixes, word roots, and suffixes. You’ll examine how these word elements are used to construct medical terms. You’ll learn about common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols and apply them in medical documentation using best practices. You’ll recognize the abbreviations and symbols on TJC’s "Do Not Use" list and understand the risks associated with using them in medical documentation. You’ll gain insight into how to record medical information using medical terms while ensuring its accuracy and clarity. Finally, you’ll practice clear and concise communication skills for effective collaboration and accurate documentation in both verbal and written formats.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols used in clinical settings
- Apply effective documentation practices using medical abbreviations and standards
- Demonstrate knowledge in constructing medical terms using roots, prefixes, suffixes, and correct plural forms
- Use medical terminology, including positional and directional terms, in electronic health records (EHR) systems for professional communication
- Understand how to ensure accuracy and clarity in the electronic health record (EHR) for effective patient information management
- Practice clear and concise communication skills for effective collaboration and accurate documentation in both verbal and written formats
This course is a continuation of Body Systems and Medical Terminology 1. You’ll continue to learn about various body systems, drug delivery systems, drug administration routes, drug classifications, and commonly used medications for various organ system disorders. You’ll also learn basic medication calculations, storage, how to assist patients with administration, and proper documentation.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems
- Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the sensory and nervous systems
- Identify the anatomy, physiology, and diseases and treatments of the immune system
This course describes healthcare professionals who can identify the four subdivisions of pharmacology and different drug classifications, including vitamins and minerals. Pathology and Pharmacology will also prepare you to explain the causes of infectious disease and techniques used to stop its spread. Finally, you’ll review the basic etiology of common diseases and conditions.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe four subdivisions of pharmacology: pharma codynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaco-therapeutics, and toxicology
- Identify different drug classifications, including vitamins and minerals, which a patient may take for a variety of health conditions
- Explain causes of infection, disease, and techniques used to stop the spread of infectious disease
- Explain basic etiology of common diseases and conditions
This course is designed to help you understand the reimbursement process and the various methodologies involved. You’ll be introduced to billing cycles and how health information technology is used in medical offices, and learn about basic accounting transaction terminology and apply this information to enter patient charges and payments.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the contents of the Electronic Health Record and security, privacy, and confidentiality practices associated with medical records
- Explain the administrative and clinical roles in the medical office and functions within the EHR that are utilized routinely in these roles
- Describe the billing and reimbursement process
- Complete simulated health records in practice electronic health record software
This course introduces the reimbursement process and the various methodologies involved, such as fee-for-service and episode-of-care methodologies. The course also covers important information regarding payment systems, fee schedules, chargemasters, coding, and the internal audit process. The course also explains the fundamentals of health insurance and types of health insurance.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Discuss various reimbursement methodologies and payment systems
- Define health insurance
In this course, you’ll learn how law affects healthcare practitioners, the origin of law that affects medical professionals, the basics of the process of litigation and its alternatives, the common-law basis for the confidentiality of healthcare information, and the laws regulating healthcare information collected and maintained by government agencies.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Interpret civil and criminal laws related to healthcare
- Assess ethical issues healthcare professionals face today
- Analyze confidentiality laws and regulations
This course will provide you with the theoretical principles and clinical skills that are essential to working as a medical assistant. You’ll begin by familiarizing yourself with the expectations for medical assistants working in a clinical setting. You’ll gain an understanding of how to interact with patients, conduct assessments, and maintain an infection-free workplace. Throughout the course, you’ll complete a variety of clinical labs that will allow you to apply what you’ve learned to real-life scenarios you’ll encounter as a medical assistant. You’ll practice assisting with assessments, obtaining vital signs, preparing for minor procedures, and demonstrating effective aseptic handwashing and sterile
techniques.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- Describe the expectations and procedures related to professionalism, customer service, and emergency
  responses in a healthcare setting.
- Summarize the role of the medical assistant as a patient care coordinator.
- Identify and execute the necessary precautions for maintaining an infection-free workplace.
- Explain how to conduct a patient assessment that includes taking vital signs
In this course, you’ll continue learning about essential clinical skills for medical assistants. You’ll begin by exploring various diagnostic procedures that you’ll encounter in a clinical setting. You’ll gain an understanding of diagnostic procedures related to urine, blood, and other specimens. Then, you’ll examine the medical assistant’s role in treatment, including assisting with medication administration and interventions. Throughout the course, you’ll complete a variety of clinical labs that will allow you to apply what you’ve learned to real-life scenarios you’ll encounter as a medical assistant. You’ll practice assisting with diagnostic procedures and administering various types of medication. You’ll also be required to accurately perform drug calculations.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- Compare the essential diagnostic procedures and the skills needed to perform them
- Categorize the procedures used when urine and other specimens
- Identify diagnostic procedures related to blood and how to perform them
- Demonstrate calculating accurate drug dosages and medication administration

Note: We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.