Course Syllabus

  Clinical Medical Assisting

    Course Length: 2 semesters- 1 credit

Instructor:     Robert Castellanos, MPH, RMA, CCMA

                              E-mail:  332405@dadeschools.net

Room Number: M763 (South Campus)

Text:  Delmar’s Comprehensive Medical Assisting plus workbook (5^th edition) by Wilburta Q. Lindh (Author), Marilyn S. Pooler (Author), Carol D. Tamparo (Author), Barbara M. Dahl (Author) and Jule A, Morris (Author). ISBN: 978-1-133-60286-6

Electronic Resources:

A)  https://learn.aeseducation.com  (AES)

B)  https://new.simtics.com (SIMTICS)  

Course Description

First of all, let me say welcome to your senior year at Robert Morgan Educational Center High School, and welcome to introduction to medical assisting. The focus of this course is to allow students to explore the field of Clinical Medical Assisting.

This course is an introduction to clinical procedures performed in the medical office.  Students practice obtaining vital signs and medical histories, maintaining exam rooms, preparing for and assisting with routine and specialty exams, and performing diagnostic testing, including eye and respiratory testing. OSHA standards, communication techniques, cultural diversity, charting, patient education, therapeutic modalities, assistive devices, and nutritional and wellness concepts are also covered.

Students will be encouraged to participate in Health Occupations Students of America- H.O.S.A. club for a chance for the students to dive into applying medical skills or competing in knowledge-based material at local and/or state level competitions starting in January 2020.

 

Course Objectives:  Please CLICK HERE to see the list of course objectives.

 

Course Outline:                                                                            

SEE COURSE PACING GUIDE FOR CLASS ASSIGNMENTS BY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINK:  PACING GUIDE CLINICAL MED ASSIST.pdf

 **NOTE: Due to content requirements and student achievement, this course outline is subject to change to best address the needs and interests of individual classes

 

Methods of Instruction:

Any of the following instructional techniques may be utilized as they fit within the context of the session:  class discussions, text-based discussions, lectures, cooperative learning groups, student presentations, debates, reflections, practical demonstration- live and analysis. Students are expected to participate during each class.  All assigned reading must be completed before class.

 

Written Assignment Criteria:

Written materials should reflect student’s knowledge of the subject as well as the use of analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and evaluation.  Materials should contain correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage.  All written papers should contain the students’ own thought and words unless quotation marks are used (see MDCPS handbook for plagiarism rules.)  All references including the Internet must be cited. Papers must be typed and follow the American Psychological Association (APA) format.  All assignments are due on the date stated by the instructor. Late assignments will not be accepted.

 

Examinations

A Pass/Fail grade will be assigned for any skill performance evaluation.  Written exams during the year will be multiple choice, True/False, problem solving, and short answer.  Interim assessments will be administered to determine ongoing progress. 

Certification Examination

Each senior health science student will be required to take and pass an area (industry) certification exam in their field of study.  However, students must be approved by your instructor to take the exam. 

*For students to sit for the CCMA, the following is the criteria your instructor will use:

A. Students must pass instructor given assessments (tests) during the academic year with a 80% or higher.

B. Students must complete and attend 80 seat hours (No more than 3 missed days in a semester - 6 days total for the year)

C. Students must pass the course with a 70% or higher.

D. Student must commit to attend RMEC MA Summer Program upon graduating from High School.

E. instructor can override the above requirements if a student wants to take the certification exam and makes a good case to take it.

If a student misses more than 6 days, you can make up lost time by spending your lunch break time or staying after school making up missed time performing activities and/or assignments 

 

GRADING POLICY   - CLICK HERE for more details

• Grades are earned, not given. The student EARNS the grade through organization, diligence, planning, and execution. Students are expected to assume individual responsibility for the quality, presentation, and timeliness of their own work.
• This instructor makes every effort to evaluate students’ work equitably and fairly. Grades are not negotiable. The instructor is willing to review and recalculate grades when a computational error is suspected. A student may request a review of computation   Requests to otherwise alter a grade will not be honored. 
• Individual requests for extra credit will not be honored. Any extra credit opportunities offered at the discretion of the instructor will only be offered to the entire class as optional extra credit opportunity.
• Late work will have 10% of the grade deducted for each day that the assignment is late. This will be the starting number I will be grading the assignment. For example, if you turn in the work two days late, I will start the grading at 80%. No assignments will be accepted past the fourth day the assignment was originally due. If an instructor decides to accept a late assignment because the student has demonstrated verifiable mitigating circumstances from the such as death, illness, unplanned event, natural disaster, and or technical issues, no points will be deducted.

 

Materials:

REQUIRED SUPPLIES

1. Lab coat (Needed for community service participation/lab activities) and scrubs for Face to face meetings as per Health Academy Handbook.
2. One 2-inch binder will be needed to put all of your skills evaluation together. This will be called your practicum binder.
3. One pack of 25-50 heavy duty transparent protectors to be used in your practicum binder
4. 1-inch thick binder (for current lectures) or college ruled spiral notebook.
5. Calculator/#2 Pencils & pens
6. One pack of index cards and highlighters to every class.
7. Jump drive for saving work

(Optional) One to two set of binder dividers to organize your notes and handouts

It is also recommended that you stay organized with a traditional agenda or digital agenda and one three or four color (red, black, green & blue) pen for note-taking purposes.

 

Class Expectations:

Please CLICK HERE to learn about the course expectations in more detail.

In order to successfully complete the Clinical Medical Assisting class, it is required that you be dedicated, committed, and ready to make the necessary adjustments in your social and personal activities. Health Science Academy students must uphold the moral and ethical code and maintain the standard of excellence the health field demands. You have the responsibility to follow the rules and regulations the Health Science Academy handbook stipulates. Please take time to review and understand the academy handbook. Please click on the following link to access the handbook Health Science Handbook 2020-1a.pdf

Please click on the following link to download the handbook parent/student signature form: Health Science Handbook 2020-1 signature form.pdf

 

 Class Attendance

RMEC High School recognizes that students occasionally get sick, have family emergencies or personal reasons that cause them to be absent. However, students are being trained for employment in the professional sphere where excessive absenteeism and tardiness are not tolerated. Students who are absent are responsible for all class work missed. Additionally, students are required to contact their faculty to notify them of their absence(s) and the reason(s) why, in order to be eligible to submit late work or make up missed tests and examinations if the faculty member allows this. Refer to the classroom policies in your syllabus for rules regarding making up work or exams for your specific class.

A) Online Platform

Regular attendance and punctuality are required (see HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY HANDBOOK).  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class, it may be taken by the school and/or the teacher  It is the responsibility of the student to make up the work missed within one day of the absence.  No late work will be collected 2 weeks prior to the closing of the gradebook. This will be strictly enforced

ZOOM Policy. You are required to use Zoom in this course, so take the time to familiarize yourself with it by thoroughly reading all of the materials. Please Click Here to access the ZOOM Policy.

  B) Face to Face

Regular attendance and punctuality are required (see HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY HANDBOOK).  Absences accompanied by a doctor’s note, parent’s note, or another teacher or administrator will be marked as excused.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class, if you are late, bring a pass from the retaining teacher.  It is the responsibility of the student to make up the work missed within one week of the absence.  No late work will be collected 2 weeks prior to the closing of the gradebook. This will be strictly enforced.

 

Restroom Policy

A) Online Platform

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THE RESTROOM BETWEEN CLASSES.PRIOR TO THE START OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION.  If you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of instruction, you may go to the bathroom without interrupting the teacher’s lesson. Simply go and return within 5 minutes.

 B) Face to Face

If the student has a medical condition in which frequent visits to the restroom are needed, the student must provide a note/letter from his /her physician stating this. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THE RESTROOM BETWEEN CLASSES.  Only one person at a time to restroom, please let me know that you are leaving.

 

Classroom Rules of Conduct

Online Platform and/or Face to Face

1. 1. Camera should be on for attendance. (i need to see you and not your ROOF or FAN)
   2. Please mute your Microphone unless you are the speaker.
   3. Listen to others while they share.
   4. Display respect and refrain from using offensive language.
   5. Use the chat box to interact in discussion about what your classmates are discussing.

1. 6. Follow the dress code and always wear your school ID 
   7. DO NOT leave class without a pass.
   8. Electronic devices:  phones, CD players are not allowed during class.
   9. Eating, drinking, chewing gum and personal grooming are not allowed in class. 
   10. Sleeping in class is prohibited.  If you are sick, inform the teacher as you enter the classroom. 

1. 11. The lab must be kept clean at all times.
   12. Required safety attire must be worn when performing any task in the lab.
   13. The teacher’s computer is strictly prohibited for student use. 

CLICK HERE to read about the detailed classroom rules and procedures

 

Consequences for Rule Violations

Consequence 1:         Teacher warning

Consequence 2:         Detention

Consequence 3:         Parental phone call

Consequence 4:          Teacher-Parent conference

Consequence 5:         Behavioral Referral to Assistant Principal

* Serious offenses can, at the teacher’s discretion, result in more severe consequences regardless of previous steps taken.  Any infraction of the rules may affect your learning readiness grade.  It can also be cause for further action at the teacher’s discretion.

 

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating, copying assignments or plagiarism will not be tolerated. You will lose my respect; your parents will be called, and your grade will be lowered. All work that you submit must be your own work. You may not do any of the following:

• Copy someone’s assignment (homework) and change a few of the words and calling it your own.
• Letting someone copy your answers from your test quiz or assignment (homework).
• Looking at someone else’s work during a quiz, test, or otherwise individual assessment.
• Informing other students of quiz or test material.
• Caught taking pictures of assessment/quizzes and distributing them to others
• Copying words from a source without citing it and giving credit to the source.
• Plagiarism is not allowed at any time.

If you are doing any of the above or anything else that constitutes cheating, you will receive a zero (“F”) on that assignment/ exam/ quiz, and you will be referred for discipline. All copied assignments will receive a “zero” grade both for the person that copped and the person who provided the answers.

 

Communication with parents/guardians

Progress reports and report cards will be sent home according to the school district calendar. However, if you have any concerns during the year, the best way to communicate with me is through email, 332405@dadeschools.net   Upon returning to face to face instruction, the school number is (305) 253-9920 ext. 2215. Leave your name, number and state your concern, I will call you when I am at home so we can speak without time constraints. I ask that parents/guardians review the student portal to keep abreast of their child’s progress and attendance. We need to work together to help your child work at his full potential. Conferences are by appointment only.

 

Late Assignment/Absence Policy

All homework is DUE at the beginning of class on the assigned date.

• It is the student’s responsibility to get assignments  when you are absent or excused from class for school functions.
• If you are absent the day an assignment is due, it is expected that you will submit the assignment the first day you return to campus after the assignment due date.  Claiming ignorance about due dates when you were absent will not be accepted.
• If you are on campus the day an assignment is due, you are to turn in the assignment BEFORE leaving school, this includes if it is a sport or school related activity or if you leave school early (doctor’s appointment or get sick).
• If a student is aware, that he/she will miss class time, the student is responsible for makeup work and arranging the makeup time with your instructor in advance of the absence. This applies only to excused absences, field trips, and tardies with parental notification.

 

Make-up Policy:

 NO MAKEUP WORK WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT AN EXCUSED NOTE FOR A STUDENT’S ABSENCE. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR MAKEUP WORK.

•  MAKE UP WORK (TESTS, QUIZZES, ASSIGNMENTS, RESEARCH PAPERS, ETC.) Is due within 48 hours (TWO DAYS) the student returns to class. MAKE UP WORK BEYOND THIS PERIOD WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ANY LATER.
•  All make-up work that must be done at school, such as tests, quizzes, oral reports, etc., may be scheduled before or after school, rather than during regular class time.
• Please do not ask for extra credit to make up for assignments you did not do when they were assigned.

 

Policy on Electronic Devices

• During certain assignments, I may give you permission to use laptops, cell phones or tablets in this class to consult online readings or to take notes.  This will be the only time they will be allowed. If I catch a student using one at any time while they are not supposed to
• During examinations and after examinations the use of these devices and the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited.
• If you bring a cell phone to class, please place it on mute or vibrate before you come to class. Violating this policy will negatively impact your participation grade.
• If I find that you are abusing this policy, I will first give you a warning first and if you do not stop the I will inform you in private and remove 10 points on your next quiz/exam. The instructor’s decision will be final and not subject to be changed by other RMEC HS faculty and/or campus officials.

E-mail Policy

• E-mails, CANVAS, and Remind notifications are sent on a regular basis. They include assignments, deadlines, instructions, updates, news, advice, and supplemental materials. Questions and comments are encouraged.
• I highly recommend the use of e-mail and Remind to discuss makeup time and work and other types of situations. There should not be any excuse for not effectively communicating with teachers and staff concerning situations impacting your attendance and academic responsibilities.
• Students must check their e-mails and CANVAS every day. Be sure to check during the late afternoon and evening hours. All must students were instructed to register and join CANVAS and Remind groups

 

Recommendations Letters

• RMEC HS teachers and staff are not required to write recommendation letters. Writing a recommendation letter is a privilege for the student.
• Please request a recommendation letter from me in person. If accepted, please e-mail me all details involving your recommendation letter. I will also ask for a summary of your community service that you have performed in the last 2-3 years.
• Students must request recommendation letters two weeks prior to application deadlines and all requirements of their college application before requesting a recommendation letter.

 

Extra Help

I am available immediately after school or during lunch to assist the student. Please make an appointment ahead of time so that I can devote full attention to the student’s needs.

There will be no extra credit work or bonus points given to raise the grade. Extra credits may be given on quizzes/ unit exams. SO, TAKE advantage of it.

 

Course Syllabus Form

Please click on the following link and sign and submit the form to your instructor: RMEC syllabus castellanos MA syllabus Form.pdf