CA 103: Terminology for Healthcare Professionals

CA 103: Terminology for Healthcare Professionals is a core course in the Certified Chiropractic Clinical Assistant (CCCA) pathway that builds the language skills every chiropractic assistant needs. You will learn how medical terms are constructed, how to interpret documentation, and how to communicate clearly with doctors, patients, and other healthcare professionals.

This three-hour online course focuses on prefixes, suffixes, and roots, common body-system terms, abbreviations, and documentation language used in chiropractic practice. The goal is to make terminology less intimidating so you can read charts with confidence, support accurate documentation, and translate technical language into patient-friendly explanations.

Estimated Completion Time

Approximately 3 hours (Online Format: video, text, & downloadable study guide)

Course Topics

• Basic structure of medical terms: prefixes, roots, and suffixes
• Terminology related to major body systems relevant to chiropractic care
• Common diagnostic, procedural, and descriptive terms in documentation
• Abbreviations and symbols frequently used in chiropractic and healthcare records
• Best practices for patient-friendly explanations of clinical terminology

Learning Objectives

• Break down medical terms into component parts to determine their meaning
• Recognize and use terminology for key body systems encountered in chiropractic practice
• Interpret common diagnostic and procedural terms seen in charts and reports
• Identify frequently used abbreviations and symbols and use them appropriately
• Communicate clinical concepts to patients using clear, accurate, and respectful language

Course Structure

• Concise video modules with accompanying text and downloadable study guide
• Progressive introduction of word parts and system-specific terminology
• Examples drawn from real-world chiropractic documentation and conversations
• Knowledge checks and practice items to reinforce terminology mastery

Quick Course Details

• Course Type: Online
• Credit Hours: 3
• Instructor: Monte Horne, DC
• Format: Recorded online presentation with self-paced access
• Access: Log in and out as needed; resume where you left off
• Certificate: Instant certificate available upon successful completion
• Program: Part of the Certified Chiropractic Clinical Assistant (CCCA) curriculum (24 hours total)

About the Instructor

Monte Horne, DC is Founder and Lead Educator at CCEDseminars and postgraduate faculty in the Division of Postgraduate Studies at Texas Chiropractic College. He developed the FCLB-aligned Certified Chiropractic Clinical Assistant program to give assistants structure, confidence, and credentials that match real-world practice needs.

Drawing on decades of clinical and teaching experience, Dr. Horne presents terminology in a practical, step-by-step manner. His focus is on helping chiropractic assistants understand the language behind safety, documentation, and patient care so they can contribute more effectively on the healthcare team.