PCT 2030 - Medical Assistant I

1. Recognize and interpret common medical abbreviations and terminology.
   1. Master pronunciation and spelling of medical terms
   2. Learn how to work with a medical dictionary / thesaurus
   3. Learn to interpret physician’s orders
2. Utilize common communication devices (pagers, patient call system, and telephones).
   1. Learn how to operate paging systems, patient call systems, and telephones.
   2. Understand guidelines and restriction for communication with each of these systems.
3. Discuss routine phone calls and the appropriate action to take with each.
   1. Discuss answering phone calls promptly, courteously, and confidentially.
   2. Understanding basic job description, i.e. (PCT do not take telephone orders, route to appropriate personnel).
   3. Understand when answering phone utilize proper phone technique.
   4. Discuss recognizing call priorities.
   5. Explain proper message taking skills.
   6. Discuss interdepartmental communications.
4. Discuss a typical shift routine.
   1. Explain job responsibilities according to clinical sites.
   2. Discuss organization of daily tasks.
   3. Discuss proper reporting at the completion of daily shift.
5. Data entry / filing.
   1. Identify physician orders and route to appropriate departments.
   2. Prepare patient chart with appropriate forms.
   3. Learn basic computer skills.
   4. Recognize different filing systems
6. Discuss patient-staff interaction.
   1. Discuss different types of appointment scheduling
   2. Identify various discharge procedures
   3. Discuss patient confidentiality issues.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the health care delivery system and health occupations
   1. Identify basic components of health care delivery system
   2. Describe various types of health care providers and range of services available
   3. Describe the composition and functions of a health care team
   4. Develop a basic understanding of human needs throughout the life span
   5. Explain the importance of maintaining professional competence through continuing education
   6. Describe trends affecting the health care delivery system
8. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively
   1. Develop basic listening and observational skills with related documentation strategies
   2. Identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful communication including barriers
   3. Use appropriate medical terminology and abbreviations
   4. Recognize the importance of courtesy and respect for patients and other health care workers
   5. Recognize the importance of patient / client education regarding health care
   6. Demonstrate ability to give and follow directions
   7. Distinguish between factual reports and personal opinions
9. Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibilities
   1. Discuss the legal framework of the health care occupation
   2. Explain the patients ‘Bill of Rights”, illegal and unethical practices, abuse and neglect
   3. Explain the medical liability of health care workers and associated description of a Code of Ethics consistent with the health care occupation
   4. Explain the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and professional conduct
10. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply wellness and disease concepts
    1. Develop a basic understanding of the structure and function of the body systems
    2. Identify personal health practices and environmental factors which affect optimal function of the major body systems
    3. Identify psychological reactions to illness including defense mechanisms
    4. Explain basic concepts of positive self-image, wellness, stress, and grieving
    5. Explain ChooseMyPlate.gov
11. Recognize and practice safety and security procedures
    1. Demonstrate the safe use of medical equipment and the reporting of safety hazards
    2. Demonstrate proper body mechanics
    3. Demonstrate the procedures for identifying, transporting, transferring, and emergency evacuation of patients
12. Recognize and respond to emergency situations
    1. Monitor vital signs and other pertinent data
    2. Describe legal parameters relating to the administration of emergency care
    3. Obtain and maintain basic life support healthcare provider CPR skills
    4. Demonstrate basic understanding of first aid and emergency care
    5. Recognize adverse drug reactions and take appropriate action
13. Recognize and practice infection control procedures
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of medical and surgical asepsis as related to sterilization, isolation, and hand washing
    2. Describe how to dispose correctly of biohazardous materials
    3. Demonstration knowledge of OSHA (TOSHA) Regulations
14. Demonstrate employability skills
    1. Identify documents that may be required when applying for a job
    2. Demonstrate competence in job interview techniques
    3. Identify appropriate responses to criticism from employer or supervisor
    4. Identify acceptable work habits
    5. Demonstrate desirable health habits
    6. Recognize appropriate effective / professional behavior
15. Demonstrate knowledge of blood borne diseases
    1. Identify community resources and services available to the individuals with diseases caused by blood borne pathogens
    2. Identify “at risk” behaviors which promote the spread of diseases caused by blood borne pathogens and the public education necessary to combat the spread of these diseases
    3. Apply infection control techniques designed to prevent the spread of diseases caused by the blood borne pathogens to the care of all patients following CDC guidelines
16. Use verbal and written communications specific to PCT’s
    1. Obtain specified data from patient and family
    2. Utilize verbal and written information to assist with the patient’s plan of care
17. Perform physical comfort and safety functions specific to PCT’s
    1. Maintain patient units and equipment
    2. Observe, report and note changes in the patient’s behavior daily, including mental awareness
    3. Apply comfort and protective devices as needed
    4. Assist patient with usage of required appliances / equipment
    5. Describe emergency procedures utilized in the clinical areas
18. Perform all facets of direct patient care
    1. Utilize knowledge base and skills as taught and demonstrated proficiency during the nursing assistant component of program
19. Perform nursing procedures
    1. Assist with admission, discharge and transfer of patients in healthcare settings
    2. Assist patient in active and passive ROM exercises
    3. Apply anti-embolic stockings (TED Hose)
    4. Collect, strain, and/or test routine urine specimen; collect timed urine specimen
    5. Monitor catheter drainage system and provide routine catheter care
    6. Using sterile / clean technique insert / discontinue indwelling urinary drainage catheters
    7. Assist with the performance of blood glucose testing samples
    8. Collect clean-catch urine specimen
    9. Monitor fluid intake and output
    10. Observe, report, and record patients’ emesis
    11. Assist patient with Sitz bath
    12. Perform CPR procedures during emergencies
    13. Utilizing clean / sterile / aseptic techniques, as applicable, perform wound care dressing changes
    14. Assist with routine ostomy care including changing of appliances / equipment
    15. Collect stool and sputum specimens
    16. Perform postmortem care
    17. Maintain patient-belongings list
    18. Administer enemas as ordered
    19. Apply sterile gloves and perform proper placement of sterile field
    20. Apply nasal cannulas, oxygen masks as required
    21. Perform pulse oximetry and incentive spirometry
    22. Utilize heat and cold applications as indicated
    23. Discontinue peripherally inserted intravenous catheters (on upper or lower extremities only) Excluding PICC lines
    24. Assist with the care of feeding tube insertion site
    25. Perform proper donning of isolation apparel (PPE’s) and follow isolation techniques as they relate to the patient
    26. Provide routine care for patients in traction
    27. Assist with physical examination and assessment within scope of practice
    28. Give cast care to patient
    29. Give artificial eye / contact lens care
    30. Assist with performance of routine tracheostomy care
    31. Assist with patient use of orthotics and prosthetic devices
    32. Perform correct “order of draw”
    33. Blood Collection Equipment, Additives
    34. Venipuncture Procedures
    35. Preanalytical Considerations
    36. Capillary Puncture equipment and procedures
    37. Special collection and Point of Care Testing
    38. Blood and nonblood specimen handling and processing
20. Apply Principles of Nutrition
    1. Identify nutrients, food groups, and special diets
    2. Verify patient’s diet tray for accuracy
    3. Identify methods of maintaining fluid balance
21. Knowledge of specific needs of the Geriatric Patient
    1. Identify safety principles
    2. Describe general characteristics, particular needs, and problems of the elderly
    3. Apply reality orientation techniques and validation therapy
    4. Identify common alterations in elderly patient behavior
    5. Provide care for patients with special needs
22. Provide biological, psychological, and social support
    1. Discuss family roles and their significance to health
    2. Respond to patient and family emotional needs
    3. Complete assignments accurately and in a timely manner
23. Assist with restorative / rehabilitation activities
    1. List the purposes / outcomes of restorative program
    2. Assist the patient with specified restorative needs
    3. Assist patients to reach the optimum level of independence
24. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding for needs of patient specific health problems
    1. Assist patient having a seizure
    2. Assist patient with spinal cord injuries
    3. Assist patient with arthritis
    4. Assist patient with diabetes
    5. Assist a blind patient
    6. Assist patient with a communicable disease process
    7. Assist patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    8. Assist the hemodialysis patient

Lab Competencies:     The student must successfully perform a return demonstration of skills as assigned by the instructor. The student must receive a satisfactory evaluation for progression.  An unsatisfactory evaluation will result in the student not being able to progress regardless of the academic average.

Suggested competencies:

1. All competencies listed under the nursing assistant component
2. Office skills to complete any assigned paperwork in capacity as a patient care technician
3. AROM and PROM exercises
4. Embolic stocking application
5. Routine urine, sputum, and stool specimen collections
6. Venipuncture; capillary with special collections
7. Set up a sterile tray and assist the Physician with minor surgical procedures
8. Assist with suture or staple removal
9. EKG placement; interpretation
10. Indwelling urinary catheter insertion, discontinuance and maintenance
11. I & O measurement and calculations
12. Blood glucose testing
13. Dressing changes
14. Sitz bath
15. Wound care assessment
16. CPR
17. Ostomy care and appliance use
18. Enemas
19. Oxygen use and appliances
20. Pulse oximetry and incentive spirometry
21. Heat and cold applications
22. Discontinuance of peripheral IV’s
23. Traction and cast care / maintenance
24. Isolation techniques and precautions; using PPE’s
25. Orthotic / prosthetic appliance use Phone etiquette
26. Communication skills
27. Basic computer skills
28. Data entry / filing
29. Scheduling appointments
30. Pronounce and spell medical terms
31. Use a medical dictionary / thesaurus
32. Use of proper communication systems