Certification is a mark of the individual having been trained and qualified in the profession.
A Medical Assistant certificate stands as a certainity of successful training. Also, securing a Medical Assistant certificate assures higher professional satisfaction and recognition. Compared to uncertified individuals, the formal education and the Medical Assistant certificate help them in advance faster in their profession.
The Medical Assistant certification can be secured by both experienced and inexperienced individuals. Experienced professionals may not have to take a certification exam. Inexperienced candidates though will have to undergo rigorous training from an accredited vocational training institution.
Medical Assistant certification or registration will put the individual a step ahead from counterparts. What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical Assistant registration and certification are the same. It's just that different certifying bodies have different terms for referring to a Medical Assistant cerificate.
With many Medical Assistant schools mushrooming in the market, it is important that one acquires education and secures Medical Assistant registration from a reputed and reliable source.
Medical Assistant Education:
Medical Assistant education obtained from a high grade vocational training institution is a sure way to a successful Medical Assistant career.
Schools offering Medical Assistant education abound in the market. Making the right choice of schools makes the difference in education in medical assistance.
St.Augustine's School of Medical Assistants offers accredited and affordable distance Medical Assistant education online.
Medical Assistant education at St.Augustine's is comprehensive and does not leave out any element crucial to training. The 24/7 online training facility provides classes, knowledge resources and virtual laboratory training online.
Distance Medical Assistant education:
St. Augustine's Medical Assistants school offers distance education through online courses. Distance education is favoured by Medical Assistant aspirants who are already working and studying part time. Distance Medical Assistant education gives such candidates the flexibility of scheduling their study time around their working hours.
The Medical Assistant Program at St.Augustine's:
Medical Assistant program at St. Augustine's is an online training course that is available anytime and anywhere. With this program, accomplishing certifications is a matter of just 6-8 weeks from commencement.
The program includes complete online courses along with training on laboratory skills and facilities to perform laboratory tasks.
The advantage with St. Augustine's Medical Assistant program is that, the student can take up the course at his own pace and convenience. Since it is online, the course can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Whether it is a full time student or a working person wanting to study part time, the online Medical Assistant program is a convenient way to Medical Assistant registration.
The course ware for the Medical Assistant program is developed and regularly updated by experts from diverse disciplines, health care professionals and practitioners making it one of the best available programs for Medical Assistants.
Medical Assistant classes online:
On signing up for the Medical Assistant program, students have the convenience of accessing classes online. According to individual schedules, Medical Assistant students can access these classes at their own convenience.
Medical Assistant classes at St. Augustine's deal with the following subjects:
Medical Terminology, Human Body Planes, Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Professionalism, Patient Communication, Medical Records, Basic Medical Law, Scheduling Appointments, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims, Infection Control, Surgical Instruments, Emergency Care, Clinical Equipment, Patient History and Physicals, EKG and Lab Testing, Specimen Collection and Lab Safety, Introduction to Patient Medications.
The classes also cover Clinical Laboratory training online. These include: Virtual Phlebotomy Lab (Collecting a Blood Sample), Virtual Injection Lab, Medication injections, Measuring A Pulse, Introduction to CPR and Basic Ultrasound.
At St. Augustine's School of Medical Assistants, enrolling gives students the advantage of well designed Medical Assistant programs, curricula, online classes, an accredited Medical Assistant certificate within 6-8 weeks!
St. Augustine's educational services:
Educational services offered by St. Augustine's Medical Assistant school aim at providing vocational training for Medical Assistant aspirants.
St. Augustine's educational services are unique in their approach to training, course design, teaching techniques etc. The ultimate goal is to give students the best value for the money they have invested in Medical Assistant registration training.
The distance education program offered under St. Augustine educational services online is a high turnaaround, quality program that is accredited, affordable and convenient.
St. Augustine's online educational services are affordable as they cut down travelling, instructional material and other costs. It can be accessed by students wherever they are, whenever they want and brings the convenience factor into education. Online educational services at St. Augustine's are accredited and hence give best value for money spent on educating oneself.
St. Augustine's educational services online are a passport to a shining career as a Medical Assistant.
Health care careers are fruitful for certified Medical Assistants:
Health care careers are being sought after nowadays as high return professions both on the monetary front and on the satisfaction front. The booming health care industry is demanding technically qualified personnel and the market is ripe for professions like Medical Assistants, Hospital Assistants and others.
Thanks to the boom, health care careers are highly in need of well trained staff. Vocational education in professions like Medical Assistants provides an effective solution for the demand. By training students for the specific job and also focusing on overall life skills, educational services like that offered by St.Augustine's are enhancing employability of individuals.
Health care professionals - upgrade skills for advancing careers:
Employment opportunities in flexible health care careers like that of Medical Assistants are predicted to increase mutifold. Infact Medical Assistant health care careers are expected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations.
Certified Medical Assistants with experience will definitely be highly sought after as a result. Health care professionals like registered Medical Assistants with experience stand to gain in a big way.
Experienced and trained Medical Assistants may be able to advance faster than other health care professionals. By adding on to their existing skill sets and certifications, they can gain over health care professionals.
Moreover pliable health care professionals like Medical Assistants have open occupational choices and opportunities form a variety of health care setups.
The future certainly seems to be beckoning Medical Assistant careers. All one needs to do is to gear up with an accredited Medical Assistant certificate.
Thursday, April 03, 2003
Monday, January 20, 2003
Medical Assistant California
Define acceptable and appropriate training to practice as a medical assistant.
Prior to performing technical supportive services, a medical assistant shall receive training, as necessary, in the judgment of the supervising physician, podiatrist or instructor to assure the medical assistant's competence in performing that service at the appropriate standard of care.
Such training shall be administered in either of the following settings: 1) Under a licensed physician or podiatrist, or under a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, a physician assistant or a qualified medical assistant, or 2) in a secondary, post secondary, or adult education program in a public school authorized by the Department of Education, in a community college program provided for in the Education Code, or a post secondary institution accredited or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education in the Department of Consumer Affairs.Are medical assistants required to be licensed or certified by the State of California to perform procedures within their "scope of practice"?
No. Medical assistants are not licensed, certified, or registered by the State of California. However, the medical assistant'Are medical assistants allowed to administer injections of scheduled drugs?
Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in Item 1, medical assistants are allowed to administer injections of scheduled drugs only if the dosage is verified and the injection is intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous. The supervising physician or podiatrist must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that sections employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by a national or private association. A medical assistant must be certified by one of the approved certifying organizations in order to train other medical assistants. (Title 16 CCR 1366.3)How may medical assistants legally "administer medications"?
The phrase intends to mean the direct application of medication in several ways including simple injections, ingestion and inhalation or pre-measured medications. For our purposes, the phrase "administer medications" when used regarding medical assistants, means to inject, handle, or provide medications to a patient after verification by a physician, podiatrist or another appropriate licensed person.Are medical assistants allowed to start or disconnect IV's or administer injections or medication into IV's?
No. Medical assistants may not place the needle or start and disconnect the infusion tube of an IV. These procedures are considered invasive, and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice. Medical assistants are not allowed to administer medications or injections into the IV line. (Title 16 CCR 1366(b)(1))Are medical assistants permitted to perform "finger sticks"?
Yes. Medical assistants are trained and allowed to draw blood as long as they have received the proper training. The procedure of finger stick is the pricking of the finger in order to collect a sample of blood. This procedure is within the "scope of practice" of a medical assistant.Are medical assistants allowed to swab the throat in order to preserve the specimen in a throat culture?
Yes. Medical assistants are allowed to swab throats as long as the medical assistant has received the proper training and a physician or podiatrist is on the premises.Are medical assistants allowed to give narcotic injections?
Yes. At this time there are no restrictions as to what type of medications a medical assistant may inject, as long as the medication has been pre-verified and the injection is either intradermal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. (16 CCR 1366 (b)(1))Are medical assistants allowed to have access to the keys of the narcotic medication cabinet?
This question should be directed to the supervising physician or podiatrist as it is an "in-house" procedure and the decision must be made by the supervising physician or podiatrist.Are medical assistants allowed to chart pupillary responses?
No. The charting of pupillary responses is considered an assessment, which is a form of interpretation. Medical assistants are not allowed to read, interpret or diagnose symptoms or test results.
Are medical assistants allowed to insert urine catheters?
No. Insertion of a urine catheter is considered an invasive procedure and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice.
Are medical assistants allowed to perform telephone triage?
No. Medical assistants are not allowed to independently perform telephone triage as they are not legally authorized to interpret data or diagnose symptoms.
Are medical assistants allowed to inject collagen?
No. The injection of collagen does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice. 16 CCR section 1366.4 states that medical assistants may inject "medications".
Are medical assistants allowed to use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles or other blemishes?
No. Medical assistants are not legally authorized to use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles, or other blemishes. Online Training at: Medical Assistant
Are medical assistants allowed to administer chemotherapy and/or monitor patients?
No. Medical assistants are not legally authorized to administer chemotherapy or make an assessment of the patient as the procedure does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice.
Are medical assistants allowed to apply orthopedic splints in emergency situations, such as splints in a physician's office?
No. Medical assistants are legally authorized only to remove casts, splints and other external devices. Placement of these devices does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice. Please reference CCR Section 1366(b)(3).
Are medical assistants allowed to interpret the results of skin tests?
No. Medical assistants may measure and describe the test reaction and make a record in the patient's chart. For every questionable test result, the result should be immediately brought to the physician's attention. In addition, all results need to be reported to the appropriate provider. Please reference 16 CCR 1366(b)(2).
Can medical assistants be supervised by a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physicians assistant in the absence of a physician and surgeon?
Per Business and Professions Code section 2069 (a)(1), a supervising physician and surgeon at a "community clinic" licensed under Health and Safety Code section 1204(a) may, at his or her discretion, in consultation with the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in the performance of tasks or supportive services. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant in performing these tasks or supportive services may be delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant and that those tasks may be performed when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site.
Can medical assistants call in refills to a pharmacy?
Yes. Under the direct supervision of the physician or podiatrist, a medical assistant may call in routine refills that are exact and have no changes in the dosage levels. The refill must be documented in the patient's chart as a standing order, patient specific. Medical assistants may not call in new prescriptions or any prescriptions that have changes. The physician should view carefully his or her decision to allow medical assistants to perform this task, as the authority to prescribe or refill prescriptions is only granted to licensed physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, or those individuals authorized by law to do so.
Can medical assistants perform hearing tests?
Yes. Medical assistants may perform hearing tests under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or podiatrist. This procedure is within the scope of practice of a medical assistant. Per Business and Professions Code section 2530.5(a), "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting hearing testing conducted by licensed physicians and surgeons or by persons conducting hearing tests under the direct supervision of a physician and surgeon."
Are medical assistants allowed to administer flu shots?
Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in the first question, medical assistants are allowed to administer influenza vaccinations in a clinic or physician's office settings. The dosage must be verified and the supervising practitioner must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that section.However, if the shot is being provided at a local governmental or private, nonprofit agency the vaccine shall be administered only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse acting within the scope of their professional practice acts. The physician under whose direction the registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse is acting shall require the nurse to satisfactorily demonstrate familiarity with (1) contraindication for the administration of such immunizing agents, (2) treatment of possible anaphylactic reactions, and (3) the administration of treatment, and reactions to such immunizing agents. (Health & Safety section 104900(e)) California Medical Assistant -Can medical assistants be supervised by a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physicians assistant in the absence of a physician and surgeon?
Per Business and Professions Code section 2069 (a)(1), a supervising physician and surgeon at a "community clinic" licensed under Health and Safety Code section 1204(a) may, at his or her discretion, in consultation with the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in the performance of tasks or supportive services. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant in performing these tasks or supportive services may be delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant and that those tasks may be performed when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site.
Prior to performing technical supportive services, a medical assistant shall receive training, as necessary, in the judgment of the supervising physician, podiatrist or instructor to assure the medical assistant's competence in performing that service at the appropriate standard of care.
Such training shall be administered in either of the following settings: 1) Under a licensed physician or podiatrist, or under a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, a physician assistant or a qualified medical assistant, or 2) in a secondary, post secondary, or adult education program in a public school authorized by the Department of Education, in a community college program provided for in the Education Code, or a post secondary institution accredited or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education in the Department of Consumer Affairs.Are medical assistants required to be licensed or certified by the State of California to perform procedures within their "scope of practice"?
No. Medical assistants are not licensed, certified, or registered by the State of California. However, the medical assistant'Are medical assistants allowed to administer injections of scheduled drugs?
Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in Item 1, medical assistants are allowed to administer injections of scheduled drugs only if the dosage is verified and the injection is intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous. The supervising physician or podiatrist must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that sections employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by a national or private association. A medical assistant must be certified by one of the approved certifying organizations in order to train other medical assistants. (Title 16 CCR 1366.3)How may medical assistants legally "administer medications"?
The phrase intends to mean the direct application of medication in several ways including simple injections, ingestion and inhalation or pre-measured medications. For our purposes, the phrase "administer medications" when used regarding medical assistants, means to inject, handle, or provide medications to a patient after verification by a physician, podiatrist or another appropriate licensed person.Are medical assistants allowed to start or disconnect IV's or administer injections or medication into IV's?
No. Medical assistants may not place the needle or start and disconnect the infusion tube of an IV. These procedures are considered invasive, and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice. Medical assistants are not allowed to administer medications or injections into the IV line. (Title 16 CCR 1366(b)(1))Are medical assistants permitted to perform "finger sticks"?
Yes. Medical assistants are trained and allowed to draw blood as long as they have received the proper training. The procedure of finger stick is the pricking of the finger in order to collect a sample of blood. This procedure is within the "scope of practice" of a medical assistant.Are medical assistants allowed to swab the throat in order to preserve the specimen in a throat culture?
Yes. Medical assistants are allowed to swab throats as long as the medical assistant has received the proper training and a physician or podiatrist is on the premises.Are medical assistants allowed to give narcotic injections?
Yes. At this time there are no restrictions as to what type of medications a medical assistant may inject, as long as the medication has been pre-verified and the injection is either intradermal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. (16 CCR 1366 (b)(1))Are medical assistants allowed to have access to the keys of the narcotic medication cabinet?
This question should be directed to the supervising physician or podiatrist as it is an "in-house" procedure and the decision must be made by the supervising physician or podiatrist.Are medical assistants allowed to chart pupillary responses?
No. The charting of pupillary responses is considered an assessment, which is a form of interpretation. Medical assistants are not allowed to read, interpret or diagnose symptoms or test results.
Are medical assistants allowed to insert urine catheters?
No. Insertion of a urine catheter is considered an invasive procedure and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice.
Are medical assistants allowed to perform telephone triage?
No. Medical assistants are not allowed to independently perform telephone triage as they are not legally authorized to interpret data or diagnose symptoms.
Are medical assistants allowed to inject collagen?
No. The injection of collagen does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice. 16 CCR section 1366.4 states that medical assistants may inject "medications".
Are medical assistants allowed to use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles or other blemishes?
No. Medical assistants are not legally authorized to use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles, or other blemishes. Online Training at: Medical Assistant
Are medical assistants allowed to administer chemotherapy and/or monitor patients?
No. Medical assistants are not legally authorized to administer chemotherapy or make an assessment of the patient as the procedure does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice.
Are medical assistants allowed to apply orthopedic splints in emergency situations, such as splints in a physician's office?
No. Medical assistants are legally authorized only to remove casts, splints and other external devices. Placement of these devices does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice. Please reference CCR Section 1366(b)(3).
Are medical assistants allowed to interpret the results of skin tests?
No. Medical assistants may measure and describe the test reaction and make a record in the patient's chart. For every questionable test result, the result should be immediately brought to the physician's attention. In addition, all results need to be reported to the appropriate provider. Please reference 16 CCR 1366(b)(2).
Can medical assistants be supervised by a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physicians assistant in the absence of a physician and surgeon?
Per Business and Professions Code section 2069 (a)(1), a supervising physician and surgeon at a "community clinic" licensed under Health and Safety Code section 1204(a) may, at his or her discretion, in consultation with the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in the performance of tasks or supportive services. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant in performing these tasks or supportive services may be delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant and that those tasks may be performed when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site.
Can medical assistants call in refills to a pharmacy?
Yes. Under the direct supervision of the physician or podiatrist, a medical assistant may call in routine refills that are exact and have no changes in the dosage levels. The refill must be documented in the patient's chart as a standing order, patient specific. Medical assistants may not call in new prescriptions or any prescriptions that have changes. The physician should view carefully his or her decision to allow medical assistants to perform this task, as the authority to prescribe or refill prescriptions is only granted to licensed physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, or those individuals authorized by law to do so.
Can medical assistants perform hearing tests?
Yes. Medical assistants may perform hearing tests under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or podiatrist. This procedure is within the scope of practice of a medical assistant. Per Business and Professions Code section 2530.5(a), "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting hearing testing conducted by licensed physicians and surgeons or by persons conducting hearing tests under the direct supervision of a physician and surgeon."
Are medical assistants allowed to administer flu shots?
Yes. After receiving the appropriate training as indicated in the first question, medical assistants are allowed to administer influenza vaccinations in a clinic or physician's office settings. The dosage must be verified and the supervising practitioner must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that section.However, if the shot is being provided at a local governmental or private, nonprofit agency the vaccine shall be administered only by a physician, a registered nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse acting within the scope of their professional practice acts. The physician under whose direction the registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse is acting shall require the nurse to satisfactorily demonstrate familiarity with (1) contraindication for the administration of such immunizing agents, (2) treatment of possible anaphylactic reactions, and (3) the administration of treatment, and reactions to such immunizing agents. (Health & Safety section 104900(e)) California Medical Assistant -Can medical assistants be supervised by a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physicians assistant in the absence of a physician and surgeon?
Per Business and Professions Code section 2069 (a)(1), a supervising physician and surgeon at a "community clinic" licensed under Health and Safety Code section 1204(a) may, at his or her discretion, in consultation with the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in the performance of tasks or supportive services. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant in performing these tasks or supportive services may be delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant and that those tasks may be performed when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site.
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