1. 1 Medical Assisting: The Profession Lesson 1:
The History and Training of Medical Assistants

2. Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to …
Define and spell the terms to learn for this chapter.
Discuss the history of medical assisting as a profession.
Discuss educational opportunities available for medical assistants.
Identify accrediting agencies for medical assisting programs.

3. Critical Thinking Questions
How long has the medical assisting field been in existence?
What has caused the field to grow?

4. Steps in the History of Trained Medical Assistants
1. MAs were originally trained on the job.
2. Responsibility and liability issues increased, leading to more formal training.
3. Nurses were in higher demand due to physicians familiarity with this profession.
4. Demand for well trained MAs increased as nursing shortages grew, as the MA profession expanded, and as physicians began to see the value in hiring MAs.

5. To learn more about the AAMA click here or visit
Acronym for the American Association of Medical Assistants
Founded by Maxine Williams
Organized in 1956
Williams was the first president of the AAMA
To learn more about the AAMA click here or visit

6. AAMA Definition of a Medical Assistant
“A multi-skilled allied health profession whose practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures.”

7. Critical Thinking Questions
Why is it important for medical assistants to be formally trained?
Does the existence of organizations such as the AAMA help the profession? If so, how?

8. Formal Training for the Medical Assistant
Certificate
Training varies from six weeks to a year
Focus typically is on clinical skills
Diploma
Similar to certificate programs
Focus is on clinical and limited administrative skills

9. Formal Training for the Medical Assistant
Degree
Approximately two years in length
Courses include clinical and administrative, along with professional development and general education courses

10. Accreditation Institutional
Voluntary process to determine if a school meets or exceeds standards set by an accrediting body
Ensures that a school meets an established criteria

11. Accreditation Programmatic
Ensures that a program in a school meets or exceeds standards
Learning outcomes for programs are competency-based

12. Accrediting Agencies for MA Programs
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
For more information on these accrediting bodies click on each website below or go to
CAAHEP -
ABHES -

13. Curriculum Typically Found in MA Programs
Anatomy and physiology
Medical terminology
Medical law and ethics
Psychology
Communication (oral and written)
Medical assistant administrative procedures
Medical assistant clinical procedures
Professional components
Externship

14. The Medical Assistant Externship
Required component of an MA program
Volunteer position
Settings include physician’s office, clinic, or hospital setting
Total hours of externship vary

15. Questions?