Lecture Medical assisting: Administrative and clinical procedures with anatomy and physiology (4e) – Chapter 1

Learning Outcomes cont.1.5 Explain the importance of continuing education for a medical assistant.. American Association of Medical Assistants AAMA • Established: 1956 • Purpose of the

The Profession of

Medical Assisting

1.3 Identify the personal characteristics a

medical assistant needs.

1.4 Define multiskilled health professional.

Learning Outcomes (cont.)

1.5 Explain the importance of continuing

education for a medical assistant.

1.6 Describe the process and benefits of

certification and registration.

1.7 List the benefits of becoming a member

of a professional association.

– Multitasking skills

A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in the

administrative area, the clinical areas, and the financial areas.

A Successful Student – Key Factors

• Organizational skills – prepare in advance

• Study habits

– Quiet area

– Study “buddy”

• Set goals

Growth of the MA Profession

• According to U.S Department of Labor - Bureau

of Statistics, medical assistants will hold 565,000

jobs by 2016; an increase of 35% from 2006

– 60% in physicians’ offices

– 14 % in hospitals

– Almost 10% in nursing homes and offices of other

health-care practitioners – Remainder in outpatient care centers, laboratories,

and other health-care-related services

Knowledge Base Needed

Knowledge Base Needed (cont.)

• Provide exceptional customer service

• Practice management

• Current patient treatments and education

Apply Your Knowledge

What are the key factors to your success as a

student?

ANSWER: Developing good organizational skills and

good study habits, and setting goals.

Good Job

American Association of Medical

Assistants (AAMA)

• Established: 1956

• Purpose of the organization is to raise the

standard of medical assisting to a more

professional level

• The Code of Ethics of AAMA

– Sets forth principles of ethical and moral conduct as

they relate to the medical profession and the particular practice of Medical Assisting

Importance of Medical Assistant

Credentialing

• Malpractice

– Having credentialed personnel or staff will

lessen the likelihood of legal challenges of the quality of care

• Managed Care Organizations (MCO)

– Place great importance on professional

credentials for employees

• Meet components of state and federal

regulations

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

• 30 additional hours in any area

American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Organization

• Credentials medical assistants

as Registered Medical

Assistants (RMA)

• Education and experience requirements

– High school diploma or equivalent

– Graduation from an accredited program

– Pass the AMT examination

American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Organization (cont.)

Medical Assistant Associations

• Set standards for quality and performance

• Define tasks and functions for an

occupation

• Provide opportunities for networking

• Further the profession

• Assist members to achieve career goals

CMA(AAMA) Member Benefits

RMA(AMT) Member Benefits

• Professional publications

• AMT Institute for Education

• Group insurance programs

• Legislature legal representation

• Annual meetings and educational

seminars

• Student membership

• Website: http://www.amt1.com

Apply Your Knowledge

• What are two reasons why credentialing

is important?

ANSWER: The likelihood of a legal challenge to quality of

care decreases when employees are certified, and Managed

Care Organizations place importance on credentials for

employees.

BRAVO!

Apply Your Knowledge

• List three things professional

medical assistant associations do or

provide.

ANSWER: Medical Assistant Associations

• Set standards for quality and performance for the

profession

• Define tasks and functions for an occupation

• Provide opportunities for member networking

• Assist members to achieve career goals

Correct

Formal Training and Educational

Programs

• Vocational-technical high schools

• Postsecondary vocational schools

• Community and junior colleges

• Four-year colleges and universities

– The Commission for Accreditation of Allied

Health Education Programs (CAAHEP )– Accrediting Bureau of Health Education

Schools (ABHES)

• Must meet minimum standards

Graduating from an Accredited Program

• Greater career options

– Completion of a program that meets national standards

– Provides recognition of your education

by professional peers – Makes you eligible for registration

• Obtain practical work experience

• Required by accredited

programs

• Duties will be planned

to meet your program’s

requirements

National Healthcare Association (NHA)

• Established in 1989 as an information

resource and network

• Offers certification exams and continuing

education

• Services:

– Continuing education

– Program development

– Education, career advancement, and networking

– Registry of certified professionals

National Center for Competency Testing

(NCCT)

• Certifies the validity of competency and

knowledge of the medical profession

through examination

• Designations:

– National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

– National Certified Medical Office Assistant

(NCMOA)

Multiskill Training

• Reduces health care costs

– Personnel are cross-trained for

more than one position

• Expands your career

opportunities

– Office manager

– Certified Office Laboratory

Technician – Medical lab technician

– ECG technician

– Medical biller

– Hospital admission coordinator

Apply Your Knowledge

What is the purpose of accreditation for

medical assistant programs?

List two advantages of multiskill training.

ANSWER: Accreditation ensures that the program

meets nationally accepted standards.

ANSWER: Multiskill training reduces health care

costs and expands your career opportunities.

Great!

Daily Duties of a Medical Assistant

• Duties will vary based on

– Type and size of practice setting

– Whether you are at entry level or advanced

practice

• Governed by state law

– Advanced duties generally require additional

training and certification

Daily Duties – Administrative Examples

– Develop and conduct public outreach programs

– Participate in practice analysis

Daily Duties – Clinical Examples

• Entry level

– Assist the doctor during examination

– Asepsis and infection control

– Give medications and explain treatments to

patients

• Advanced

– Initiate IVs and administer IV medications

– Report diagnostic study results

Daily Duties – Laboratory Examples

• Entry level

– Perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement

Amendments (CLIA) – waived tests– Collect, prepare, and transmit laboratory

specimens– Teach patients to collect specimens

• Advanced

– Perform as Occupational Health and Safety

(OSHA) compliance officer– Perform moderately complex laboratory tests

Apply Your Knowledge

True or False:

Your duties will never vary.

Advanced duties never require additional training.

State laws regulate medical assistant practice.

You must have the appropriate training

Personal Qualifications (cont.)

Personal Qualifications (cont.)

• Attitude

– Positive and caring

– Respond to criticism

as a learning experience – Take direction from

authority without question

– Function as a vital

member of a medical team

Improve Your Attitude

• If you can answer “yes” to any

of these questions

– Do I have repeated conflicts with people?

– Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted

in termination?

– Do I have conflicts with authority figures?

– Do people make comments about my attitude?

Personal Qualifications (cont.)

• Integrity and honesty

– Everything you do and every task you

complete should be performed with a goal of excellence

– These characteristics are key to providing

superior customer service– You must be dependable and reliable

– Your office staff and physician must be able to

trust you and the decisions you make

Team Dynamics

• Assist each other with required duties

• Avoid interpersonal conflict with team

members

• Perform extra responsibilities without

questioning or complaining

• Be considerate of other team members’

duties and responsibilities

AAMA Occupational Analysis

• Areas of competence for entry-level medical assistants

• Provides the basis for medical assisting

education and evaluation

• Three areas of competence

– Administrative – Clinical

– General

Scope of Practice

• No single definition of the Scope of

Practice for medical assistants

• Varies by state of employment

Apply Your Knowledge

ANSWER: List any four of these personal qualifications that

medical assistants should display:

Critical thinking skills Attention to detail

Professionalism

• List any four personal qualifications you

should have to be an effective medical

assistant.

Apply Your Knowledge

ANSWER: When you can answer “yes” to any of the

following questions:

 Do I have repeated conflicts with people?

 Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in termination?

 Do I have conflicts with authority figures?

 Do people make comments about my attitude?

• When should you take action to change

your attitude?

In Summary

1.1 Responsibilities will vary from administrative

to laboratory duties1.2 Professional training includes formal training

in a variety of educational settings1.3 Personal characteristics include flexibility

and good communication skills1.4 Cross-training/being multiskilled is important

for marketability

In Summary (cont.)

1.5 Continuing education keeps you abreast of

changes in health-care and governmental regulations

1.6 Certification and registration provide peer

recognition and career advancement

1.7 Professional membership affiliations provide

networking opportunities

End of Chapter 1

Participating in any aspect of healing is an

awe-inspiring experience

— Carol Jackson, The Healer’s Art