The Scope of Medical Assistant and non-licesed Medical Office Staff:
Although legal requirements addressing the Medical Assistant scope of practice vary by state, the Medical Assistant generally works under the license of their supervising physician or the managed care organization that employs them. To learn more about medical assisting scope of practice, contact Donald A. Balasa, Executive Director and Legal Counsel of the American Association of Medical Assistants, by e-mail at dbalasa@aama-ntl.org.
Below are some of the duties that a typical medical assistant may perform (it is important to check with local and state medical boards to determine what duties a medical assistant can legally perform. It is also important to remember that a medical assistant is not a physician, nurse, physican assistant or other licensed healh care provider, they must therefore always be supervised by the appropriate licensed health care provider, after all it is the medical practioner whos license is most at risk.) Always consult with a lawyer prior to letting your medical assistant do any new duties:
Typical Medical Assistant Duties:
Administrative
Work in reception
Answer telephone
Schedule appointments
Process medical billing
Keep financial records
File medical charts
Telephone prescriptions to
a pharmacy
Transcribe dictation
Send letters
Triage patients over the telephone using a protocol to determine the acuity of the visit and the visit-length for scheduling purposes.
CLINICAL (MAY VARY GREATLY- CHECK WITH A LAWYER):
Escort patient to exam room
Carry out patient history interviews
Take and record vital signs
Prepare patient for examination
Provide patient information/instructions
Assist with medical examinations/surgical procedures
Set up/clean patient rooms
Maintain inventory
Restock supplies in patient rooms
Perform venipuncture
Administer immunizations
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
Remove sutures
Change dressings
Notify patients of laboratory results
Schedule patient appointments
Translate during medical interviews with non-English-speaking patients
Give prevention reminders
Instruct patients about medications or special diets
Perform basic laboratory tests
Prepare/administer oral/intramuscular medications as directed
Perform ECGs
Advanced duties
Place, initiate IV and administer IV medications with appropriate training and as permitted by state law
Develop educational materials
Help patients draft a durable power of attorney
Educate patients about procedures
Negotiate managed care contracts
Manage accounts payable
Process payroll
Document and maintain accounting and banking records
Develop and maintain fees schedules
Manage renewals of business and professional insurance policies
Manage personnel benefits and maintain records
Perform marketing, financial and strategic planning
Develop and maintain personnel, policy and procedure materials
Perform personnel management functions
Negotiate leases and prices for equipment and supply contracts
