Medical Assistants: The Profession

Medical Assistants: Medical Assistants: The ProfessionThe Profession

MA100 Instructor: Mayra M Howells

LEARNING OBJECTIVESLEARNING OBJECTIVES

To Discuss: The history of medical assisting as a

profession. Current accrediting agencies for medical

assisting programs. Medical assistants role in Healthcare.

Administrative duties and clinical skills. List qualities of a good medical assistant. The professional organizations that certify medical assistants.

Career opportunities available to medical assistants.

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking QuestionsQuestions

1. How long has the medical assisting field been in existence?

2. What has caused the field to grow?

The History and Training The History and Training of Medical Assistantsof Medical Assistants

Originally an on the job trainingIncrease responsibility meant increase liability, led to the need for formal training

Prior to the formal training nurses were in higher demand to assist physicians

American Association of American Association of Medical AssistantsMedical Assistants

Acronym: AAMA Founded by Maxine Williams First president of the AAMA. Adopted as a national professional organization in 1957

Emphasize educational objectives

To learn more about the AAMA visithttp://www.aama-ntl.org

Source: American Association of Medical Assistants, Chicago, IL


1. Why is it important for medical assistants to be formally trained?

2. Does the existence of organizations such as the AAMA help the profession? If so, how?

AAMA Definition of a AAMA Definition of a Medical AssistantMedical Assistant

As a multiskilled health professional educated to primarily work in ambulatory settings.

Performs both administrative and clinical procedures.

Formal training for the medical assistant

Certificate training varies from six weeks to a year. Focus is typically on clinical skills.

Diploma programs is similar to certificate programs. Focus is on clinical and limited administrative skills.

Degree programs are approximately two years in length. Courses include clinical and administrative, professional development and general education courses.

Accrediting Agencies Accrediting Agencies for for

Medical Assistant ProgramsMedical Assistant Programs

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

For more information on these accrediting bodies go to website below

• CAAHEP - http://www.caahep.org• ABHES - http://www.abhes.org

http://www.caahep.org/

http://www.abhes.org/

AccreditationAccreditation

A voluntary process to determine if a school meets or exceeds standards set by an accrediting body

Ensures that a school meets an established criteria

Ensures that a program in a school meets or exceeds standards

Learning outcomes for programs are competency-based

Curriculum Typically Curriculum Typically Found in MA ProgramsFound in MA Programs

Anatomy and physiology Medical terminology Medical law and ethics Psychology Human rights Communication (oral and written) Patient education Medical assistant administrative procedures Medical assistant clinical procedures Professional components Externship

The Medical Assistant The Medical Assistant ExternshipExternship

Is a required component of the program Externships take place in

physician’s offices clinics hospital settings

Lesson 2:Lesson 2:Role and Responsibilities of the Role and Responsibilities of the

Medical AssistantMedical Assistant

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking QuestionQuestion

1. Why would an MA choose to work in one type of employment setting versus another?

Role and ResponsibilitiesRole and ResponsibilitiesMedical AssistantMedical Assistant

Primary role is to assist the physician Duties typically vary from office to office.

Size and type of setting determine the types of duties the medical assistant will perform.

Scope of practice (duties) vary due to federal and state regulations and guidelines.

AdministrativeAdministrative DutiesDuties

Clerical; telephone, reports, data entry and filing

Processing insurance forms, handling referrals and coordinating managed care coverage

Handling financial agreements with patients Providing Managing the office during the physician’s absence

Ensuring compliance with HIPAA guidelines For an overview on HIPAA go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaaGenInfo.

Good communication and social skills are Good communication and social skills are required in each of them.required in each of them.

Helping maintain accurate patient Helping maintain accurate patient records is a critical part of the records is a critical part of the

medical assistant's work.medical assistant's work.

Good computer skills are now Good computer skills are now required to be a successful member required to be a successful member

of an office staff.of an office staff.

Clinical ResponsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities

Obtaining a medical history and assisting patients in preparation for physical exams and procedures Vital signs, educating and instructing

Assisting the physicians with procedures Performing routine clinical and Laboratory procedures Venipunctures,electrocardiograms and collecting specimens

Inventory control

Medical assistants perform many Medical assistants perform many functions in a physician's office functions in a physician's office or a clinic.or a clinic.

Medical assistants are often Medical assistants are often involved in confidential involved in confidential conversations between the conversations between the physician and the patient.physician and the patient.


1. Are MAs always expected to have both administrative and clinical skills?

The Occupational AnalysisThe Occupational Analysis

The AAMA utilized a document called the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum)

Defines specific areas of instruction and competences for medical assisting

Identifies three major categories of competences for entry-level Medical Assistants Administrative Clinical General or interdisciplinary

Study was revised in 2003 and again in 2007–2008

QualitiesQualities of a Good Allied of a Good Allied

Healthcare Professional Healthcare Professional

Competent to perform clinical and Competent to perform clinical and administrative skills.administrative skills.

Ability to communicate and collaborate with Ability to communicate and collaborate with others.others.

Demonstrates:Demonstrates: EmpathyEmpathy Integrity Discretion Confidentiality Thoroughness

Congeniality Proactivity Punctuality Appearance


1. How does an MA present a professional image?

How to Present a How to Present a Professional ImageProfessional Image

Develop a basic understanding of human behavior.

Exhibit good daily personal hygiene and grooming habits.

Provide quality care.

Lesson 3:Lesson 3:Certification and Career Certification and Career

Opportunities for the Medical Opportunities for the Medical AssistantAssistant

Certification and Career Certification and Career OpportunitiesOpportunities

Certifying organizations American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) American Medical Technologists (AMT) National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Places of employment Physician’s offices Ambulatory care clinics Government agencies Urgent care facilities Free-standing facilities


1. Should medical assistants become certified, and if so why?

1. What qualifies an individual to sit for the CMA exam?

The American Association The American Association of Medical Assistantsof Medical Assistants

Key association in the field of medical assisting.

Offers national certification for medical assistant credential.

AAMA Certification Exam Offered to graduates of programs accredited by

CAAHEP or ABHES. Computerized exams available throughout the year. Certification indicates that the candidate has met

the standards of the AAMA for being an MA.

American Medical American Medical TechnologistsTechnologists

Provides a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) a national certification.

RMA is awarded to candidates who pass the AMT certification exam.

RMA certification exam focuses on three areas: General medical assisting knowledge Administrative medical assisting Clinical medical assisting

Also provides certification for Medical Laboratory Technicians


1. What would qualify an individual to take the AMT certification exam?

Qualifications of RMA Qualifications of RMA CertificationCertification

AMT Certification AMT Certification Requirements Requirements

Be of good moral character. Must have graduated from an accredited program/organization.

Applicant must have completed a minimum of 720 clock-hours or equivalent of training.

Registered Medical Registered Medical AssistantsAssistants

With additional experience, RMAs can apply for the Certified Medical Administrative Specialist credential (CMAS)

For more information on the AMT RMA certification exam and the CMAS AMT credential visit the following website: http://www.amt1.com

National Center for National Center for Competency TestingCompetency Testing

Issues the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential.

Must be a high school graduate Must have completed an MA program or provide documentation of two years MA experience.

Continuation of certification requires 14 hours per year of continuing education.

National Certified National Certified Medical Office AssistantMedical Office Assistant

Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing.

Must have a high school diploma Must have completed a medical assisting program.

Available to nongraduates of a MA program but are able to provide documentation of two years working experience as an MA.

For more information on the NCCT visit the following website:http://www.ncctinc.com

National Healthcareer National Healthcareer AssociationAssociation

A. Founded in 1989. Grants the following two credentials:

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified

Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).

Qualified applicants must pass a professional examination.

To learn more about this organization visit http://www.nhanow.com


What do you think the job outlook in the future for MAs might be?

What factors might impact the growth of the field of medical assisting?

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Data Processing Clerk Billing & Collections Assistant

Insurance Claims Processor

Clinic Aide Clinical Assistant Patient Technician Patient Care Technician

Unit Clerk Insurance Claim Coder

Medical Records Clerk

Medical Receptionist

Multifunctional Technician

Job OpportunitiesJob Opportunities

Inpatient and Ambulatory Care SettingsInpatient and Ambulatory Care Settings

Job OpportunitiesJob Opportunities

Health Care Departments and Specialties

Statistics on Jobs in Statistics on Jobs in Medical AssistingMedical Assisting

According to the U.S. Department of Labor MAs held about 417,000 jobs in 2006 62% were employed by physician offices 12% held positions in public and private hospitals

About 11% worked in the offices of other health care practitioners

15% were employed in other health care industries

Projections: the field of medical assisting from 2002-2012 will be a fast-growing occupation

For more information on these statistics visit http://www.bls.gov/oco

Medical Laboratory Medical Laboratory TechnicianTechnician

Career Description Analyze body fluids and tissues using

microscopes or complex automated instrumentation

Perform chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriologic testing

The above testing may be used to match blood types for a transfusion or determine a patient’s glucose, cholesterol, drug level, etc.

Data entry of results Troubleshoot unexpected results Relay critical test results to other medical

professionals including doctors and nurses

QualificationsQualifications

Good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity

Communication and inter-personal skills, Color blind, NO! Close attention to detail Must have good analytical judgment Ability to work under stress and adapt to a fast paced environment

Current on all required vaccinations Understanding that the nature of the work may put the individual at risk of coming into contact with infectious diseases

National Accrediting Agencies National Accrediting Agencies And Certifying OrganizationsAnd Certifying Organizations

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied

Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

Certifying Organizations American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP)

American Medical Technologists (AMT) American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)

Differences between Differences between CLS/MT and CLT/MLT CLS/MT and CLT/MLT

Many employers do not differentiate between CLS/MT and CLT/MLT for entry-level generalist positions*

The main difference is a bachelor’s degree will allow you to enter management positions

*Source= www.naacls.org

http://www.naacls.org/

Employment Employment

Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.

The volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.

Source-http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm#outlook

Places of EmploymentPlaces of Employment

Most graduates will find employment in the following:

Hospitals Clinical reference labs Blood banks

Other places of employment with further education and experience include:

Public health organizations Food science labs Pharmaceutical companies

Career OpportunitiesCareer Opportunities

Medical Laboratory Technician=MLT Clinical Laboratory Technician=CLT Above terms are interchangeable and require a two year program MLT=CLT

Medical Laboratory Technologist=MT Clinical Laboratory Scientist=CLS MT and CLS are interchangeable and requires a Bachelor’s degree MLT=CLT

PhlebotomyPhlebotomy

The ancient art of blood letting Dates back to ancient Egyptian and Greek societies The practice was to eradicate spirits and sickness In the 5th century BC, barbers where the common practitioners of blood letting Modern Day Phlebotomy: Phlebotomists follow a set of safety protocols. They are trained, tested and certified in

QualificationsQualifications

Ability to insert needles quickly and accurately, Venipuncture

Ability to adhere to safety standards Ability to deal with various difficult patient situations and emergencies

Able to acquire a sterile sample Ability to maintain accurate records and follow exacting procedures for the proper care of specimens

National Accrediting Agencies National Accrediting Agencies And Certifying OrganizationsAnd Certifying Organizations

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

Certifying Organizations American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP)

American Medical Technologists (AMT) The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel(NCALP)

National Phlebotomy Association

Employment OutlookEmployment Outlook

Employment opportunities for certified phlebotomy technicians, are expected to grow by 14% between 2008 and 2018

Source-http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm#outlook

Places of EmploymentPlaces of Employment

Hospitals Blood banks Commercial laboratories

Medical Office and clinics

Home health care agencies

Visiting nurse organizations

Pharmaceutical Research labs Prison hospitals Military base hospitals

Certification and Career Certification and Career OpportunitiesOpportunities

Certifying organizations American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) American Medical Technologists (AMT) National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Places of employment Physician’s offices Ambulatory care clinics Government agencies Urgent care facilities Free-standing facilities

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Medical Assistants: The Profession