allied health fields
occupational disciplines in which professionals involved with the delivery of healthcare or related services assist physicians with diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients in many different specialty areas.
benefits
services or payments provided under a health plan, employee plan, or some other agreement, including programs such as health insurance, pensions, retirement planning, and many other options that may be offered to employees of a company or organization
certification
the attesting of something as being true, as represented, or as meeting a standard; the result of having been tested, usually by a third party, and awarded a certificate based on proven knowledge
continuing education units (CEUs)
credit for classes, or seminars related to an individual's profession, designed to promote education and to keep the professional up to date on current procedures and trends in his or her field; CEUs are often required for licensing.
cross-training
training in more than one area so that a multitude of duties may be performed by one person or so that substitution of personnel may be made in an emergency or at other necessary times.
externship or internship
a training program that is part of a course of study of an educational institution and is taken in the actual business setting of that field of study; the terms are often interchanged in reference to medical assistant training.
intangibles
qualities that are incapable of being perceived, especially by touch, or incapable of being precisely identified or realized by the mind
invasive
involving entry into the living body as by incision or insertion of an instrument
phlebotomy
the invasive procedure used to obtain a blood specimen for testing, experimentation, or diagnosis of disease
The first medical assistants were....
neighbors lending a helping hand.
Schools began offering training in the (decade).Medical assistant organizations began developing in (year) , and certifying examinations followed soon after.
1940s, 1950
Medical assistants are found in:
physicians' offices
chiropractors' offices
podiatrists' offices
hospitals
surgery centers
freestanding emergency centers
Scope of Practice
The performance of delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising physician's scope of practice consistent with the medical assistant's education, training, and experience
2 major categories of medical assisting duties
Clinical
Administrative
clinical duties
Taking medical histories
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during the examination
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests
Instructing patients abo
administrative duties
Using computer applications
Answering telephones
Greeting patients
Updating and filing patient medical records
Coding and filling out insurance forms
Scheduling appointments
Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Handling correspondence
60% of M.A. positions are in
physicians offices
Benefits that may be offered to medical assistants:
Health insurance
Life insurance
Dental and/or vision insurance
Cafeteria benefits
Profit sharing
Stock options
Various discounts
Vacation and sick time
Paid holidays
Membership to credit unions
Many others
good health requires:
adequate sleep
eating balanced meals
exercise
healthy lifestyle
good grooming:
personal cleanliness
daily bath or shower
deodorant
good oral hygiene
avoidance of cologne and perfumes
conservative makeup
clear or no nail polish
nails at a conservative length
clean hair, neatly styled
attractive uniform or scrubs
sturdy, comfortable,
M.A. training can be obtained through:
private career institutions
community colleges
M.A. programs usually lead to one of the following:
a certificate
a diploma
an associates degree
The extern should:
be open to constructive criticism
take initiative and be a team player
treat the externship as if it were the probationary period for a new job
be open to learning skills or techniques that are different from what was taught during classroom training
General rules for the extern:
The extern must gain the trust of those at the site.
General duties may be assigned before more difficult duties are.
Read the job description for medical assistants at the site, and abide by it.
Ask the supervisor whenever questions arise.
Stay busy and
As a medical assistant, never:
breach patient confidentiality
pursue romantic relationships with co-workers and/or patients
use any drug sample without express permission
borrow from petty cash
expect the physician to treat family or friends
ask for a prescription from the physician
continuing education includes:
reading literature related to the area in which the medical assistant is employed
attending educational seminars
attending meetings and conventions for medical assistants
taking advantage of CEUs
Professional Organizations can help the medical assistant:
grow personally and professionally.
keep abreast of current trends.
demonstrate seriousness about the career.
promote the profession.
receive benefit offers.
gain CEUs.
American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA):
Formally organized in 1956.
State associations in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
National headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
Established a national certification program for medical assistants.
Offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
American Medical Technologists (AMT):
Began offering certification examination for medical assistants in the 1970s.
Offers other certifications medical assistants may qualify for
COLT: Certified Office Laboratory Technician
RPT: Registered Phlebotomy Technician
RMA examinations may be taken a
National Healthcare Association
Certifications available include:
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist
Certified Medical Transcriptionist
differences between CMAs and RMAs
Both are attainable through national certification examinations
AAMA fees are somewhat higher than AMT fees
Both require CEUs to renew or recertify (as of January 2006)