The Medical Assistant Professional. What does a medical assistant do? The medical assistant plays an important role in the medical office or clinic setting. Medical assistants are regarded as knowledgeable medical office generalists and respected for their excellent multitasking skills. There is always something to do, from taking patient's vital signs, to seating them in the examination room, to running simple screening tests in a simple back office lab room, to pulling medical charts whenever neededWhat is the Medical Assistant's Role?
Medical assistants are unlicensed health service professionals in a medical office. A physician, or licensed healthcare practitioner must be present in the facility whenever the medical assistant performs hands-on patient procedures. They handle front office clerical and administrative tasks such checking in patients that arrive for their appointment, maintaining patient records and appointment books, and also assist with clinical tasks in the back office, such as during patient examinations and treatments.Medical assistants are respected members of the healthcare teamCertain states mandate that medical assistants to take a test or a course before they can perform certain tasks, such as taking x-rays, ultra sound treatments, or performing venipunctures. It is highly recommended that individuals seeking medical assistant training sign up for programs that are both legitimate and fully accredited so that they will receive the right diplomas and credentials. Therefore training is a job better left to the watchful eyes of instructors with experience in the field.
Medical assisting skills such as drawing up injections, administering ear lavage or instilling drops, collecting specimens, preparing slides, incubating Petri-dishes, changing wound dressings and wrapping bandages are best learned under the guidance of a clinical instructor. Prospective medical assistant students must realize that in this career mastery of clinical tasks with proper technique and controls are essential. Ideally it should take place in a traditional classroom where students can focus on interactive learning, feedback, and criticism. The direct supervision and hands-on practice in a safe supervised setting assures that the student will be competent and well prepared for the job. in clinical, and/or administrative roles in a medical office. The medical assisting career is perfect for those who want to help people of all ages and walks of life, and go home satisfied and fulfilled after a busy day. After all, they understand that they are the human face and caring touch of the medical office.One of the leading occupational choices for both male and females is a career as a medical assistant. Although certification is voluntary for medical assistants in the USA, it is gaining momentum, because of it's impact on a person's career! Certification shows that the holder possesses the knowledge, experience and skills to succeed in their chosen occupation.Medical assistant certification exams, and other related healthcare professional certification exams, can be taken online, or at designated testing centers. NHA also offers their home study certification program, where experienced healthcare workers that are not yet certified can challenge the national certification exam if they meet the eligibility requirements. Passing these comprehensive certification exams is a valid statement of the person's excellence and qualifications in the medical assistant field, and regarded as such by recruiters, and employers who hire. Certified medical assistants are seen as serious professionals, since they have taken the time and effort to prepare, and document their education, training, and job related skills.Medical assistants are health care workers who perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. The term Medical Assistant may have legal status in some nations, whereas elsewhere they may be a loosely defined group.Medical assistants are not licensed professionals and they are always required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider such as a registered nurse or physician whenever they provide direct (hands-on) patient care procedures.
In several states unlicensed health care providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state in which they reside to perform needle injections; such as allergy testing, purified protein derivative (PPD) or Mantoux skin tests, and venipuncture.[6] Some states require that medical assistants who draw blood for lab tests are certified, and have passed a practical examination as part of their phlebotomy training. In other states MAs need permission from the state to expose patients to X-rays.Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need. New technical and medical developments and discoveries have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities. Medical assistants, whether male or female function as major contributors in the modern health care industry, in particular the medical office, clinics, and other areas. The common goal of all medical assistants is the support and care of the doctor's patients.Medical assistants function in an administrative capacity in the front office area, or in a clinical role in the so-called back office area. Medical assistants held about 329,000 jobs in the year 2000. Sixty percent worked in physicians' offices; 15 percent worked in hospitals, including in- and outpatient facilities. The rest were employed in nursing homes, offices of other health practitioners and other healthcare facilitiesAbout 6 out of 10 medical assistants work in offices of physicians
Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1- or 2-year programs in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges
Medical assistants is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-2014 period
Job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, particularly those with certification. The Medical Assistant must provide proper care and appropriate counsel to patients who come to medical offices or ambulatory clinics, treatment facilities and hospitals, while exhibiting courtesy, conscientiousness, and a general businesslike manner at all times. Nowhere is the need for personal integrity as great as in the medical and health care field where doctors, nurses and medical assistants continually deal with people in need, their illnesses and personal problems. NHA offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Medical Lab Assistant (CMLA), Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), Certified Nurse Technician (CNT), and Certified Healthcare Instructor (CHI) credentials.
AMT offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS), Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Certified Office Laboratory Technician (COLT), Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC), and Allied Health Instructor (AHI). Medical Assistant Conduct
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was introduced to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets; to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery; to promote the use of medical savings accounts; to improve access to long-term care services and coverage; to simplify the administration of health insurance; and for other purposes.
Another important commitment that all members of the professional health care team have, which includes medical assistants, is the obligation respect the law, never to abuse patients, and never to abuse controlled substances that they have access to; or to tolerate abuse by others. These substances are kept under key and lock at the medical office or clinic.
Controlled substances are used only for patients under a physician’s supervision and any other use is illegal. Certain state's laws mandate that persons who provide services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a licensed health care facility have their background checked and possibly undergo a pre-employment drug screening test.*
One such state, for example, is Minnesota, where an individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study and will not be permitted to work with patients in a licensed medical or health care facility. Another such state is Wisconsin, where heath professionals must meet guidelines established by state statutes regarding caregiver background check information prior to participating in any clinical placement.The Reasons Behind this High Demand for Medical Assistants
Medical care, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical services play an important role in our nation's economy and welfare.
Driven by the TREMENDOUS need for health care services in major cities to rural areas, recruiters and employers everywhere are in constant need for more staff.
Opportunities in healthcare occupations are not limited by location, gender, race, religion, or even disabilities. Where there are people there is a need for medical services and care; and medical office managers and recruiters are ready to hire.Medical Assistant Employment:
Careers are unique to each person and dynamic; unfolding as a person matures. Medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004. About 6 out of 10 worked in offices of physicians; about 14 percent worked in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities; and 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists. The medical assisting profession has become indispensable to many areas in the health care field, especially medical offices headed by one or a group of practicing physicians, physician assistants (PA's) or licensed nurse practitioners. Unfortunately, turnover is high for medical assistants because of the relatively high workload and comparatively low pay raises offered. Therefore many working medical assistants will eventually elect to leave their jobs for better contracts and positions with higher potential for career advancement and pay.Employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties.Medical Assistant's Cross-Training
Other experienced medical assistants may cross-train into related health care occupations such as medical secretary, medical coder and biller, X-ray or EKG technician, dental assistant, ophthalmic or podiatric assistant, and phlebotomist. Some become audiology assistants under the direction of audiologists.
They use audiometers and other testing devices to measure people's ability to hear and the nature and extent of hearing loss. The tests are then interpreted by the supervising audiologist. Yet, others may go back to college to become radiation or nuclear or surgical technologists, or registered nurses. Also there is the possibility to apply their talents and skills as medical illustrators, freelance technical writers, or medical language interpreters. You name it! With additional education anything is possible. Medical Assistant Jobs.
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