1. The Profession of Medical Assisting1
The Profession of Medical Assisting

2. Learning Outcomes
1.1 Describe the job responsibilities of a medical assistant.
1.2 Discuss the professional training of a medical assistant.
1.3 Identify the personal characteristics a medical assistant needs.
1.4 Define multiskilled health professional.

3. Learning Outcomes (cont.)
1.5 Explain the importance of continuing education for a medical assistant. 1.6 Describe the process and benefits of certification and registration. 1.7 List the benefits of becoming a member of a professional association.

4. Introduction Fast-growing occupation Generalist Medical assistant
Someone trained in all departments of the facility
Medical assistant
Graduate of accredited institution
Multitasking skills
A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in the administrative area, the clinical areas, and the financial areas.

5. A Successful Student – Key Factors
Organizational skills – prepare in advance
Study habits
Quiet area
Study “buddy”
Set goals

6. Growth of the MA Profession
According to U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Statistics, medical assistants will hold 565,000 jobs by 2016; an increase of 35% from 2006
60% in physicians’ offices
14 % in hospitals
Almost 10% in nursing homes and offices of other health-care practitioners
Remainder in outpatient care centers, laboratories, and other health-care-related services

7. Knowledge Base Needed Administrative and clinical skills
Patient insurance product knowledge
Compliance: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

8. Knowledge Base Needed (cont.)
Provide exceptional customer service
Practice management
Current patient treatments and education

9. Apply Your Knowledge
What are the key factors to your success as a student?
ANSWER: Developing good organizational skills and good study habits, and setting goals.
Good Job

10. American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Established: 1956
Purpose of the organization is to raise the standard of medical assisting to a more professional level
The Code of Ethics of AAMA
Sets forth principles of ethical and moral conduct as they relate to the medical profession and the particular practice of Medical Assisting

11. Importance of Medical Assistant Credentialing
Malpractice
Having credentialed personnel or staff will lessen the likelihood of legal challenges of the quality of care
Managed Care Organizations (MCO)
Place great importance on professional credentials for employees
Meet components of state and federal regulations

12. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
CMA(AAMA) credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the AAMA
Certification examination evaluates mastery of medical assisting competencies
Recertify every 5 years
60 contact hours
10 each in clinical, administration, general areas
30 additional hours in any area

13. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization
Credentials medical assistants as Registered Medical Assistants (RMA)
Education and experience requirements
High school diploma or equivalent
Graduation from an accredited program
Pass the AMT examination

14. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization (cont.)
Educational and practical requirements
High school graduate or acceptable equivalent
Graduate from accredited program
Pass the AMT exam
If certified after 2006, 30 contact hours of continuing education is required every three years to recertify

15. RMA(AMT)/CMA(AAMA) Examinations
General medical knowledge
Administrative knowledge
Clinical knowledge
medications
HIPAA
Medical Records
specimens
Insurance
Terminology

16. Medical Assistant Associations
Set standards for quality and performance
Define tasks and functions for an occupation
Provide opportunities for networking
Further the profession
Assist members to achieve career goals

17. CMA(AAMA) Member Benefits
Professional publications
Educational opportunities
Group insurance
Legal information
Networking
Legislative monitoring
Website:

18. RMA(AMT) Member Benefits
Professional publications
AMT Institute for Education
Group insurance programs
Legislature legal representation
Annual meetings and educational seminars
Student membership
Website:

19. Apply Your Knowledge
What are two reasons why credentialing is important?
ANSWER: The likelihood of a legal challenge to quality of care decreases when employees are certified, and Managed Care Organizations place importance on credentials for employees.
BRAVO!

20. Apply Your Knowledge
List three things professional medical assistant associations do or provide.
Correct
ANSWER: Medical Assistant Associations
Set standards for quality and performance for the profession
Define tasks and functions for an occupation
Provide opportunities for member networking
Assist members to achieve career goals

21. Formal Training and Educational Programs
Vocational-technical high schools
Postsecondary vocational schools
Community and junior colleges
Four-year colleges and universities

22. Accreditation The process by which programs are officially authorized
Two recognized entities for accrediting MA programs
The Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP )
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Must meet minimum standards

23. Graduating from an Accredited Program
Greater career options
Completion of a program that meets national standards
Provides recognition of your education by professional peers
Makes you eligible for registration

24. Externships Obtain practical work experience
Required by accredited programs
Duties will be planned to meet your program’s requirements

25. National Healthcare Association (NHA)
Established in 1989 as an information resource and network
Offers certification exams and continuing education
Services:
Continuing education
Program development
Education, career advancement, and networking
Registry of certified professionals

26. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
Certifies the validity of competency and knowledge of the medical profession through examination
Designations:
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)

27. Volunteer Programs Experience in a variety of settings
Practical experience
Help you make career decisions
Include on résumé

28. Multiskill Training Reduces health care costs
Personnel are cross-trained for more than one position
Expands your career opportunities
Office manager
Certified Office Laboratory Technician
Medical lab technician
ECG technician
Medical biller
Hospital admission coordinator

29. Apply Your Knowledge
What is the purpose of accreditation for medical assistant programs? List two advantages of multiskill training.
ANSWER: Accreditation ensures that the program meets nationally accepted standards.
ANSWER: Multiskill training reduces health care costs and expands your career opportunities.
Great!

30. Daily Duties of a Medical Assistant
Duties will vary based on
Type and size of practice setting
Whether you are at entry level or advanced practice
Governed by state law
Advanced duties generally require additional training and certification.

31. Daily Duties – Administrative Examples
Entry level
Greet patients
Handle correspondence and answer telephone
Schedule appointments
Create and maintain patient medical records
Advanced
Develop and conduct public outreach programs
Participate in practice analysis

32. Daily Duties – Clinical Examples
Entry level
Assist the doctor during examination
Asepsis and infection control
Give medications and explain treatments to patients
Advanced
Initiate IVs and administer IV medications
Report diagnostic study results

33. Daily Duties – Laboratory Examples
Entry level
Perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) – waived tests
Collect, prepare, and transmit laboratory specimens
Teach patients to collect specimens
Advanced
Perform as Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) compliance officer
Perform moderately complex laboratory tests

34. Apply Your Knowledge F F T T True or False:
Your duties will never vary.
Advanced duties never require additional training.
State laws regulate medical assistant practice.
You must have the appropriate training to perform a procedure.
Duties vary based on practice setting, state law, level of practice. F F
Advanced duties require advanced training and certification. T
Kudos! T

35. Personal Qualifications
Critical thinking skills
Attention to detail
Empathy
Willingness to learn
Flexibility
Self-motivation
Professionalism

36. Personal Qualifications (cont.)
Neat appearance
Uniform clean
Shoes
Hairstyle
Nails
Avoid acrylic nails
Jewelry
Tattoos
Piercings
Hygiene
Health

37. Personal Qualifications (cont.)
Attitude
Positive and caring
Respond to criticism as a learning experience
Take direction from authority without question
Function as a vital member of a medical team

38. Improve Your Attitude
If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions
Do I have repeated conflicts with people?
Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in termination?
Do I have conflicts with authority figures?
Do people make comments about my attitude?

39. Personal Qualifications (cont.)
Integrity and honesty
Everything you do and every task you complete should be performed with a goal of excellence
These characteristics are key to providing superior customer service
You must be dependable and reliable
Your office staff and physician must be able to trust you and the decisions you make

40. Other Attributes Diplomacy Proper judgment Communication skills
Remaining calm in a crisis
Willingness to work as a team member
Ethical behavior
Team Dynamics
Continue

41. Team Dynamics Assist each other with required duties
Avoid interpersonal conflict with team members
Perform extra responsibilities without questioning or complaining
Be considerate of other team members’ duties and responsibilities

42. AAMA Occupational Analysis
Areas of competence for entry-level medical assistants
Provides the basis for medical assisting education and evaluation
Three areas of competence
Administrative
Clinical
General

43. Scope of Practice
No single definition of the Scope of Practice for medical assistants
Varies by state of employment
Resources
AAMA
AMT
AMAA Occupational Analysis

44. Apply Your Knowledge
List any four personal qualifications you should have to be an effective medical assistant.
ANSWER: List any four of these personal qualifications that medical assistants should display:
Critical thinking skills Attention to detail
Empathy Willingness to learn
Flexibility Self-motivation
Professionalism

45. Apply Your Knowledge
When should you take action to change your attitude?
ANSWER: When you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions:
Do I have repeated conflicts with people?
Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in termination?
Do I have conflicts with authority figures?
Do people make comments about my attitude?
Correct!

46. In Summary
1.1 Responsibilities will vary from administrative to laboratory duties 1.2 Professional training includes formal training in a variety of educational settings 1.3 Personal characteristics include flexibility and good communication skills 1.4 Cross-training/being multiskilled is important for marketability

47. In Summary (cont.)
1.5 Continuing education keeps you abreast of changes in health-care and governmental regulations. 1.6 Certification and registration provide peer recognition and career advancement. 1.7 Professional membership affiliations provide networking opportunities.

48. End of Chapter 1
Participating in any aspect of healing is an awe-inspiring experience.
— Carol Jackson, The Healer’s Art