The Course prepares the graduate for entry level positions in the medical field as Medical Assistants, front and back office and other closely related direct care roles such as hospices, home health service and restorative care. Throughout the course, the participants receive instruction in a wide variety of medical procedures through lecture, laboratory demonstration, and hands-on experience. Medical Assistant Students are trained to perform basic medical procedures including taking vital signs, perform injections and venipuncture, perform routine laboratory work, ECG configuration and CPR. The Students will also receive training as receptionists in a medical environment, medical records (Medisoft) and customer service/communications skills, nutrition, cultural awareness, infection control, dementia and hospice care as well as terminology and ethical issues of the medical field. Great emphasis is placed on safety procedures protecting both the technician the patient. Students will also be trained to properly record and handle patient information, prepare patient files for billing and collections, and more. Graduates will be able to work in doctors offices, hospitals, labs, outpatient clinics, chiropractic officers, acupuncture offices, physical therapy clinics, hospice care, assisted living communities, and in a one-on-one home care setting. The units listed below are each 24 clock hours in length. This, along with the required outside preparation, represents .80 semester credits for each unit.