Medical Laboratory Assistant Training Curriculum

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner

This course discusses what causes infection and how to manage it. You'll study diagnostic methods, protective measures, and treatments for responding to infection.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Review the causes and diagnostic methods of various infectious and communicable diseases
• Explore the protective measures required to prevent infection
• Outline the treatments and protective measures required to manage and control the spread of infectious disease
• Identify procedures and protocols for responding to infection control

As part of the frontline of healthcare, medical office professionals have a critical need to understand medical law and ethics. This course is designed specifically to help learners excel in an environment rife with legal and ethical issues and to educate in a way that helps minimize the risk of lawsuits by discussing the concepts of standard of care, scope of employment, criminal and civil acts, contracts, negligence, healthcare ethics, and more.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Describe the structure of the healthcare industry and how it relates to the medical office profession
• Identify laws and regulations related to the healthcare workplace
• Describe how law flows from the Constitution to the courtroom
• Identify criminal acts and intentional torts
• Recognize what makes a contract and who can contract
• Identify medical malpractice and other lawsuits
• Explain the characteristics, ownership, and confidentiality of the health record
• Recognize the importance of the laws and ethics of patient confidentiality
• Explain professional ethics and how they apply to patients
• Recognize ethical issues surrounding the beginning of life
• Recognize ethical issues surrounding death and dying

This course discusses the role of the phlebotomist, the equipment, and procedures necessary to perform phlebotomy processes. You'll study how to collect, store, and process blood and other special specimens, as well as how to interact with patients.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and medical terminology
• Demonstrate understanding of quality assurance and quality control in phlebotomy
• Communicate (verbally and nonverbally) effectively and appropriately in the workplace
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of body systems and anatomic terminology in order to relate major areas of the clinical laboratory to general pathologic conditions associated with the body systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of collection equipment, various types of additives used, special precautions necessary, and substances that can interfere in the clinical analysis of blood constituents
• Demonstrate understanding of the importance of sample collection and sample integrity in the delivery of patient care
• Follow standard operating procedures to collect samples
• Demonstrate understanding of requisitioning, sample transport, and sample processing

This course guides you in mastering basic injection, and phlebotomy skills. The course offers information on the theory and practice of phlebotomy and associated techniques. The course covers topics such as collecting various samples for the laboratory, donating blood, injecting local anesthetics, and much more. The course explains the art and science of phlebotomy and related skills. Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to obtain hands-on practice using the Venipuncture Trainer and Kit before entering a clinical setting.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Describe the importance of taking a medical history before performing any invasive procedures
• Describe the importance of adhering to basic principles of sterility and asepsis
• Describe the basic principles of venipuncture
• Discuss various techniques for drawing venous, arterial, and capillary blood
• Discuss various types of injections

For healthcare professionals, a strong knowledge of anatomy and physiology is an integral aspect of caring for patients. Anatomy and Physiology Essentials will introduce you to the fundamentals of the human body by studying the various "systems" of the body in detail. Utilizing quick checks, reading, and activities, this course will prepare you for a role in a healthcare setting.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Recognize and explain all of the systems of the body
• Describe the structure of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis
• Describe the process of osteogenesis
• Identify the bones in cell formation
• Describe the overall structure of the muscular system
• Describe the general functions of the nervous system
• Describe the major sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• List the general functions of the kidney
• Identify the mechanisms of regulating water input and output
• Describe the fetal stages and prenatal period

In this course, you will explore content related to communication and customer service in a healthcare office.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify the various types and styles of communication used in a healthcare office
• Summarize how verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills contribute to patient experience and outcome in a healthcare office
• Describe professional communication techniques for a healthcare office, including interviewing techniques and use of medical terminology and patient-accessible language
• Explain modified communication for patients with special considerations
• Outline protocols for providing customer service for a healthcare office

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