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Medical courses at Utah Career College include hands-on practice under the guidance of instructors with extensive experience in the subject areas. This allied health training prepares students for the serious responsibilities that await them in careers in patient care and medical administrative services:
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Medical assisting, where patients rely the CMA's skills to protect their health
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Health Information Technology, where specialists protect patient and employer rights under HIPAA
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Medical Coding and Billing, where accuracy and attention to detail is essential
We offer MA (Medical Assistant) courses at campus locations in West Jordan (15 minutes from Salt Lake City Center), Layton and Orem. Medical Assistant, Health IT and Medical Billing and Coding programs also require basic computer courses, courses covering medical office procedures and general education electives, which can be fulfilled through on-campus or online classes.
Please call or e-mail us for more information on a career in medical assisting. A representative will be happy to answer any questions.
Medical Assistant Course Descriptions
MA100 Medical Terminology - 4 Credits
This course is a comprehensive study of the terminology used in common medical practice and emphasizes the word-building process employing roots, combining forms, prefixes and suffixes. Common medical acronyms and abbreviations are also reviewed.
MA110 Anatomy & Physiology - 5 Credits
This course is a general introduction to human anatomy and physiology emphasizing the structures, functions and pathophysiology of the various body systems.
MA125 Health Information Technology - 3 Credits
This course provides students with instruction in healthcare related systems including healthcare delivery systems and the management of personal, medical, research and statistical data. This course explores legal and ethical concerns, human resources and financial management functions, reimbursement methodologies and the role of governmental and non-governmental agencies in healthcare.
MA130 Introduction to Clinical Skills - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA100, MA110. This course is a general introduction to the clinical sciences. Subjects covered include OSHA regulations, universal precautions, medical asepsis, infection control, laboratory safety, requests and reports. Students are introduced to the theory and practice of basic clinical skills, including the proper use of microscopes. Students receive certificates for Universal Precautions for Infection Control of Bloodborne Pathogens and Other Infectious Materials upon satisfactory completion of this course.
MA141 EKG/CPR - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA130. This class presents the theory and practice of electrocardiography together with a review of the cardiopulmonary body systems. Students acquire the skills necessary to perform an EKG, recognize and assess a cardiopulmonary emergency, provide first aid care and administer CPR. Students receive Professional Rescuer CPR certifications upon successful completion of the course.
MA151 Introduction to Patient Care - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA100, MA110. This course explores the psychological and communicative factors involved in patient care. Students learn skills necessary to triage phone calls, obtain patient histories and vital signs, and provide patient education on a variety of topics.
MA161 Pharmacology - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA130. This course covers the principles of pharmacology, including mathematical calculations, medications, PDR, routes of administration, IV theory, proper injection techniques and methods for skin testing.
MA180 Drugs and Disease - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA100, MA110. This course covers disease processes relating to the various body systems and the methods used for diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as the factors involved in the disease process such as microorganisms, age, mental status and congenital anomalies. The course also covers pharmacological approaches to therapy, mathematics related to pharmacology, categories of medications, use of the PDR, methods of administration of medications, required documentation and DEA regulations.
MA201 Insurance Coding I - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA100, MA110. Private and public insurance programs are covered in this course. Students learn how to complete insurance forms, abstract information from patient case histories, find the necessary codes for accurate reimbursement, and review payments. Students learn how to locate ICD-9 and CPT codes for the appropriate diagnosis, surgery, office visit, material, medication, procedures and other matters for the purpose of billing. After taking this course, students are eligible to sit for the exam to earn the National Certified Coding Specialist credential.
MA210 Chemistry for Health Professionals - 3 Credits
This course examines general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry, with an emphasis on those concepts needed by a health professional.
MA211 Microbiology & Urinalysis - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA130. This course introduces the physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine. This course also introduces microbiology, how to perform gram stains, KOH, wet prep and culturing techniques.
MA220 Insurance Coding II - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA201. This course builds on the basic CPT and ICD-9CM coding concepts learned in MA201. Students abstract information from more complex case sets and develop an understanding of hospital procedure codes and inpatient coding systems, HCPCS, DRG, and RVBS. The course also covers reimbursement strategies and regulations for Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and private carriers, and includes an introduction to ICD-10CM.
MA221 Hematology - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA130. This course introduces the theory and practice of basic clinical hematology. Blood collection methods (vacutainer, butterfly and capillary), blood chemistries, and serology are covered. Students satisfactorily completing this course receive certificates of proficiency in Phlebotomy.
MA240 Radiography I - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA100, MA110, MA130, MA141, MA151. This course introduces the radiographic equipment and the basic science and physics of x-ray. Anatomy, positioning and pathology related to upper and lower extremities are presented. Students are instructed in the legal, ethical and safety considerations related to the practice of radiography. The course also covers film processing techniques and quality assessment.
MA250 Radiography II - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: MA240. This course builds on concepts learned in MA240. Students critique images and perfect techniques. Anatomy, positioning and pathology related to the spine, skull, sinuses, abdomen and thorax are presented. The course covers concerns of geriatric, pediatric and special needs populations and Utah State Laws and Rules for licensure. Students are prepared for the ARRT Limited Scope exams.
MA260 Coding Certification Review - 2 Credits
Prerequisites: All core courses. This is a summary course reviewing the skills, knowledge and abilities acquired during the program. This course is intended to help the student prepare for medical coding certification exams and provide a review of critical skills and professional development issues.
MA280 CMA Review - 3 Credits
Prerequisites: All core courses. This is a summary course reviewing the skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired during the program. This course reviews critical clinical skills and professional development issues, and provides an opportunity to renew CPR-PR certification, in preparation for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
MA298 Externship - 4 Credits
Prerequisites: All core courses. Each Health Information Technology student completes a 120-hour externship. The externship is a mutual arrangement between the school and the externship site. The externship site provides office facilities and staff time to help train the extern in the practical application of the education received in the classroom. The externship site staff evaluates the student’s performance during this period and submits the evaluation to the school.
MA299 Clinical Externship - 8 Credits
Prerequisites: All core courses. Each medical assistant student must complete a 240-hour clinical externship. The externship is a mutual arrangement between the school and the clinical facility. The clinical affiliate provides office facilities and staff time to help train the extern in the practical application of the education received in the classroom. The doctor and clinical staff evaluate the student's performance during this period and submit the evaluation to the school.
Medical Assistant Classes at Utah Career College
Our medical assistant courses are designed to serve students in the following programs:
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Associate in Health Information Technology (Health IT)
Our graduates have the skills to succeed and take advantage of career opportunities in medical assisting and related fields, and our Career Placement Department provides individual job search assistance to every graduate.
Contact our Admissions Office for more information. We have campus locations in West Jordan (15 miles south of Salt Lake City Center), Layton and Orem.