PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
MEDICAL PRACTICUM OST 2925
Class Hours: 0.0					Credit Hours: 2.0
Laboratory Hours: 6.0					Date Revised: Fall 1998

Catalog Course Description:
	This course is designed to give students actual work experience in the medical office field. Each student will be assigned to work as an intern doing various types of medical office work. The student's progress will be monitored by both the employer and the coordinator of internships.
Entry Level Standards:
	All coursework through the third semester must be completed. The student must have at least a 2.50 grade point average and have completed an application to work at an approved site.
Corequisites:
	OST 2300, 2935 and 2950
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:
	Medical Dictionary not more than five years old; continue to use the same one you purchased for previous courses. Medical Transcription Guide by Marilyn Gordney and Marcy Diehl, W.B. Saunders Company, 1990. Medical Office Reference Manual, 3rd Edition by Doris D. Humphrey and Kathie Sigler, Delmar Publishers, 1997.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis: TBA
*II. Course Objectives:**
	A.		Demonstrate a general knowledge and the ability to operate designated medical office equipment. I, II, V, VII
	B.		Demonstrate the ability to use correct English grammar, spelling, style references, and other resources. IV, X
	C.		Exhibit ability to work in a professional environment effectively with a positive attitude. VI, XI, XII
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the OST program.
*III. Instructional Processes:**
Students will:
	1.			Operate the most current technology in personal computers and all peripherals (including, but not limited to, printers, scanners, and transcription equipment). Technological Literacy Outcome
	2.			Practice and internalize the work ethic by regularly attending class, being punctual (including notification of supervisor when absence or tardiness is necessary), being dependable and performing in a professional manner. Personal Development Outcome Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome
	3.			Use computer software technology to promote objectives of the course: specifically, WordPerfect, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, Electronic mail to effect accurate and rapid medical office transcription and other communications. Technological Literacy Outcome
	4.			Accept responsibility for taking medical dictation and doing transcription and other medical/office communication projects and making effective decisions regarding turn-around time, formatting, and accuracy. Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome; Numerical Literacy Outcome
	5.			Answer telephones, provide client/patient services and receive and transmit medical reports as part of the duties of working in a medical/health care environment. Personal Development Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome; Numerical Literacy Outcome
	6.			Practice and use proofreading skills, editing/revising skills, and run medical spell-check on all documents produced. Utilize knowledge of medical coding and insurance billing requirements to submit accurate and complete documentation when necessary. Communication Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome
	7.			Participate in group discussion on oral grammar, medical pronunciation, and its importance; practice using correct grammar when speaking with patients, co-workers, supervisors, physicians, etc. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome; Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome
	8.			Keep accurate and neat work log of completed work as well as an accurate time card for tracking hours worked. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome; Numerical Literacy Outcome
	9.			Communicate effectively with team/co-workers and physicians to ensure timely and accurate interpretation and completion of all work, and to establish good human relationships. Communication Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome; Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome
	10.			Demonstrate a positive attitude and professionalism. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome
	11.			Participate in interviewing and job search skills through round-table discussion of interview questions and professional attire; creation of an updated resume; interfacing with Placement Office and other agencies; mock interviews (with evaluations and self-critiques), and Internet searches. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome; Technological Literacy Outcome; Information Literacy Outcome
	12.			Gain on-the-job work experience by participating in internships with area health care office employers. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome; Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome; Technological Literacy Outcome; Numerical Literacy Outcome; Information Literacy Outcome; Active Learning Strategy
	13.			Learn about professional development opportunities, certifications, and available professional associations. Communication Outcome; Personal Development Outcome; Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome; Information Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
*IV. Expectations for Student Performance:**
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.		Identify and use properly the different parts of machine dictation/transcription equipment. A
	2.		Apply previous knowledge of document creation using word processing equipment in the work environment. A
	3.		Handle the telephone with courtesy and professionalism. A
	4.		Apply previous knowledge of spreadsheets and accounting to the work environment. A
	5.		Identify and use properly medical reference materials that are available to medical office workers to facilitate the accuracy, clarity, and completeness of reports. B
	6.		Refer to reference texts, if necessary, to use correct punctuation marks and capitalization rules in transcription. B
	7.		Refer to reference texts, if necessary, to properly construct sentences using complete sentences, subject-verb agreement, and proper tense. B
	8.		Identify and properly spell medical vocabulary used in different medical practices. B
	9.		Identify and correctly use the rules of word division. B
	10.		Maintain a professional appearance and image in working with medical office staff and patients. C
	11.		Show interest and enthusiasm for work assignments. C
	12.		Cooperate with co-workers and supervisors. C
	13.		Handle patients in a friendly, informative, and tactful manner. C
	14.		Interact with supervisors and co-workers in a clear, concise, and informative manner. C
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	Evaluation Procedures:
		The internship work schedule shall be determined by the supervisor and the student intern to afford a minimum of 90 hours on the job during the semester. Since the student is interning for academic credit, no remuneration is required; however, supervising offices may at their sole discretion elect to provide stipends, paid parking, mileage reimbursement or other benefits of employment. The intern shall observe all standards of legal ethics and confidentiality and comply with all office policies. The intern's work supervisor will submit an evaluation form to the Internship Coordinator near the end of the semester. The Internship Coordinator will visit the intern at the work site during the semester. Evaluation Assignments 1. The intern will be responsible for submitting time cards to the Internship Coordinator on a by-weekly basis. These time cards must be signed by both the intern and the intern's supervisor. 2. The intern will compile a work-sample folder of documents which the intern created on the job. 3. The intern will submit to the Internship Coordinator a notebook containing a term report describing and evaluating the internship experience which includes examples of documents produced while completing the internship. The report should be typed, double-spaced, and well organized. Reports will be graded for content, organization, spelling, and English usage. 4. The intern is responsible for scheduling a midterm progress conference and a final evaluation conference with the Internship Coordinator. The intern should bring the work sample folder to each conference. The term report is due at the final conference. 5. The intern's supervisor will submit a final evaluation form indicating the tasks assigned and rating the intern's performance. 6. The course will be determined primarily on the basis of the supervisor's evaluation, the term report, and the timely completion of assignments. The grade for the internship is pass/fail.