Medical Law, Ethics, & Bioethics for Med Assts

Course Number: 
MEDAS114
Course Credits: 
3.00
Course Description: 
This course presents a comprehensive systems approach to the study of medical law, ethics, and bioethics as related to the ambulatory health care setting, including legal terminology and professional liability. 3 theory hours. Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
Course Prerequisites: 
Prerequisites: ENGL 095 with a grade of "C-" or better, or placement in ENGL& 101 or ENGL 150.
Course Outcomes: 
  • Differentiate between scope of practice and standards of care for medical assistants
  • Compare and contrast provider and medical assistant roles in terms of standard of care
  • Describe components of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Summarize the Patient Bill of Rights
  • Discuss licensure and certification as they apply to healthcare providers
  • Compare criminal and civil law as they apply to the practicing medical assistant
  • Define:
    • negligence
    • malpractice
    • statute of limitations
    • Good Samaritan Act(s)
    • Uniform Anatomical Gift Act
    • living will/advanced directives
    • medical durable power of attorney
    • Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA)
    • risk management
  • Describe the following types of insurance:
    • liability
    • professional (malpractice)
    • personal injury
  • List and discuss legal and illegal applicant interview questions
  • Identify:
    • Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH)
    • Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
    • Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)
  • Describe the process in compliance reporting:
    • unsafe activities
    • errors in patient care
    • conflicts of interest
    • incident reports
  • Describe compliance with public health statutes:
    • communicable diseases
    • abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • wounds of violence
  • Define the following medical legal terms:
    • informed consent
    • implied consent
    • expressed consent
    • patient incompetence
    • emancipated minor
    • mature minor
    • subpoena duces tecum
    • respondent superior
    • res ipsa loquitor
    • locum tenens
    • defendant-plaintiff
    • deposition
    • arbitration-mediation
    • Good Samaritan laws