C H A P T E R 2 2 The Medical Assistant

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Training, Job Responsibilities, and Employment Opportunities 1 1 U N I T

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Employment Statistics Medical assisting is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the health services industry. In 2002, there were 330,000 employed medical assistants. The median salary in 2002 was $23,940.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Employment Opportunities Demand for medical assistants has increased due to two factors: 1. Americans are now living longer than ever before. 2. Technology in the medical field is rapidly evolving.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Schools That Offer Training Programs Training can be offered in public high schools. Vocational programs can be offered to adults at technical and community colleges. Private proprietary schools also offer training.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Length of Training Most programs lead to a certificate of completion or diploma and are usually 1 year or less in length. An associate’s degree requires 2 years of course work and includes subject areas that complement the curriculum.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Purpose of the Role Delineation Study The role delineation study identifies the areas of practice and competencies required for the occupation of medical assistant. The role delineation study represents many areas of practice, geographic locations, and a variety of backgrounds.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Ten Areas of Competence Ten areas of competence are deemed necessary by the AAMA for the entry- level practice of medical assisting, in three broad areas of practice:  Administrative  Clinical  General (transdisciplinary)

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Understanding Career Laddering Career laddering refers to other occupations a medical assistant might be employed in based on interest, training, and experience. Besides advancement to an office management position in a physician’s office or clinic, hospitals employ medical assistants in many areas.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Hospital Employment Unit or medical secretary Admissions clerk Medical records clerk Phlebotomist Electrocardiogram (ECG) technician

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Fastest Growing Health Occupations Home health aides Medical assistants Physician assistants Physical therapist assistants Dental assistants Personal and home care aides (continued)

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Fastest Growing Health Occupations Physical therapists Diagnostic medical sonographers Physical therapist aides Occupational therapist assistants Occupational therapists

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Unit Summary What are some administrative duties of a medical assistant? What are some clinical duties of a medical assistant? What does career laddering mean?

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Personal Characteristics 2 2 U N I T

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Character Traits Your ability to work well with your employer, supervisors, and coworkers, and your effectiveness in dealing with patients, is greatly influenced by your personal characteristics. Carefully identify how the following characteristics can help you become successful.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Highly Desirable Character Traits to Develop Accurate Adaptable Conservative Courteous Dependable Confidentiality Empathy Enthusiasm Honest Initiative Patience Perseverance Punctuality Reliable Respectful Self-control

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Trait of Tact Tact is the skill involved in saying or doing the right thing at the right time. Tact is a trait that may not be easy to acquire because we often respond to actions and statements before we think.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Personality Qualities Personality qualities affect the way character traits are perceived by others.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Five Desirable Personality Qualities 1. Friendly attitude and genuinely liking people 2. Intelligence 3. Pleasant personality 4. Pleasant voice 5. Genuine smile

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Developing a Pleasant Voice Control your pitch. A voice that is neither too high nor too low sounds just right. Make yourself heard by controlling the force or volume of your voice. Pronouncing your words clearly improves the quality of your voice. Adjust the speed of your speech to improve understanding by the patient.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Perception Begins with Your Appearance Strive to appear neat and well groomed. A neat appearance gives the impression that one is competent and capable of doing whatever needs to be done.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Nine Things That Contribute to a Professional Appearance 1. Attention to good body and oral hygiene 2. Clean hands with well-manicured nails 3. Hair that is clean and out of the face 4. Uniforms that are clean, free from stains, and fit properly (continued)

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Nine Things That Contribute to a Professional Appearance 5. Minimal jewelry, such as a watch or wedding ring 6. Fragrances that are light and not offensive 7. Cosmetics that are tasteful and skillfully applied 8. Avoid chewing gum. 9. Stand up straight.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Unit Summary Name some behaviors that would be considered unprofessional. Why does your appearance matter?

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Professionalism 3 3 U N I T

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Origin of Medical Assisting Medical care now requires accurate and comprehensive medical records, and documentation is a must. Medical schools offer little or no background in managing the business of medicine so physicians must employ skilled medical assistants to ensure a successful practice.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Definition of Medical Assisting According to the AAMA and AMT, a medical assistant was defined in 1991 as:  Multiskilled allied health professionals that work primarily in medical offices and clinics and function as members of the health care team as they perform administrative and clinical procedures

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The History of the AAMA The AAMA is the American Association of Medical Assistants. Maxine Williams is the founder and first president of the AAMA. October, 1956: Physicians and advisors of the American Medical Association met with 250 members of medical assistant societies from 16 states and founded the AAMA.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Purpose of the AAMA The primary purpose is to raise the standards of the medical assistant to a professional level. Physicians were also aware that they needed professionals to assist in office duties for which nurses were not trained. The AAMA also wanted to instill the desire in medical assistants to carry the profession into the future.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Logo of the AAMA The national emblem was adopted in The current logo was adopted in 1978.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Significance of the Current Logo Represent the formal recognition of medical assisting as an allied health profession by the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Education programs are now eligible for federal funding by the Bureau of Health Manpower

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Three Levels of AAMA Membership 1. Local level  Value comes from invitations sent by local chapters to special events and continuing education seminars 2. State level  Value comes from state publications that contain calendars, educational articles, and special offers for continuing education, as well as a calendar of events (continued)

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Three Levels of AAMA Membership 3. National level  Value comes from the bimonthly magazine that includes educational articles, latest state and federal legislative news, educational program announcements, and articles that offer continuing education units

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Becoming Certified and Joining the AAMA AAMA certification requires the medical assistant to graduate from an approved training program and pass a national exam that is offered twice a year. AAMA certification is valid for 5 years.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Guidelines to Recertification Recertification reinforces the validity of the certified medical assistant (CMA) credential. The CMA can recertify in two ways: 1. Earn 60 continuing education units that meet the point distribution as outlined by the AAMA. 2. The CMA can recertify by retaking the national exam every 5 years.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Importance of Continuing Education Units Continuing education units offer the most current knowledge of administrative, clinical, and general medical information to the participants. This knowledge reinforces the validity of the CMA to the physician and other health care professionals.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved American Medical Technologists (AMT) In 1976, the AMT organized a nationally recognized body to address the needs of medical assistants. Awards the registered medical assistant (RMA) and certified medical administrative specialist credentials (CMAS) Awards other healthcare credentials

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Logo of the AMT

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved How to Become Registered Complete an approved training program. Graduates from other medical assisting programs can also apply after they have been employed in the medical field full time for 1 year or part time for 2 years. Everyone is required to pass the national registry exam.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Benefits of Being Registered Receive representation at state and local levels by council members elected by the national board Phlebotomists, medical lab assistants, and medical lab technicians can also apply to become registered.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved National Healthcareer Association Established in 1989 Provides products and services to health care professionals, including continuing education, program development, career and networking services Administers 14 exams, including:  Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)  Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved The Advantages of Membership in Professional Organizations Membership demonstrates professionalism and impresses employers. Membership also shows initiative and a desire to improve your skills and provide quality patient care.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Unit Summary What is the value of credentials? What are some advantages of joining a professional organization?

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Keys to Career Success This chapter describes the right combination of personal characteristics and practical skill, which allows you to be in demand as a medical assistant. Your professionalism is a key component to a satisfying working experience.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Hot Links to Career Success  The American Association of Medical Assistants  American Medical Technologists  National Healthcareer Association