The Profession of Medical Assisting

CHAPTER

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1The Profession of Medical Assisting


Learning Outcomes

1.1 Describe the job responsibilities of a medical assistant.

1.2 Discuss the professional training of a medical assistant.

1.3 Identify the personal characteristics a medical assistant needs.

1.4 Define multiskilled health professional.

1-2


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.

1-3


Introduction

• Fast-growing occupation

• Generalist– Someone trained in

all departments of the facility

• Medical assistant – Graduate of accredited

institution– Multitasking skills

1-4

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

1-5


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

1-6


Knowledge Base Needed1-7


Knowledge Base Needed (cont.)

• Provide exceptional customer service

• Practice management

• Current patient treatments and education

1-8


Apply Your Knowledge1-9

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

1-10


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

1-11


Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

• CMA(AAMA) credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the AAMA

• Certification examination evaluates mastery of medical assisting competencies

• Recertify every 5 years– 60 contact hours

• 10 each in clinical, administration, general areas

• 30 additional hours in any area

1-12


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

1-13


American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization (cont.)

1-14


RMA(AMT)/CMA(AAMA) Examinations

• General medical knowledge

• Administrative knowledge

• Clinical knowledge

1-15


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

1-16


CMA(AAMA) Member Benefits

• Professional publications

• Educational opportunities

• Group insurance

• Legal information

• Networking

• Legislative monitoring

• Website: http://www.aama-ntl.org

1-17


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

1-18


Apply Your Knowledge

• What are two reasons why credentialingis important?

1-19

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!



• List three things professional medical assistant associations do or provide.

1-20

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

1-21


Accreditation

• The process by which programs are officially authorized

• Two recognized entities for accrediting MA programs– The Commission for Accreditation of Allied

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

Schools (ABHES)

• Must meet minimum standards

1-22


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

1-23


Externships

• Obtain practical work experience

• Required by accredited programs

• Duties will be planned to meet your program’s requirements

1-24


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

1-25


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)

1-26


Volunteer Programs

• Experience in a variety of settings

– Practical experience

– Help you make career decisions

– Include on résumé

1-27


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

1-28



What is the purpose of accreditation for medical assistant programs?

List two advantages of multiskill training.

1-29

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.

1-30


Daily Duties – Administrative Examples

• Entry level– Greet patients

– Handle correspondence and answer telephone

– Schedule appointments

– Create and maintain patient medical records

• Advanced – Develop and conduct public outreach programs

– Participate in practice analysis

1-31


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

1-32


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

1-33


Apply Your Knowledge 1-34

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 to perform a procedure.

F

F

T

T

Duties vary based on practice setting, state law, level of practice.

Advanced duties require advanced training and certification.

Kudos!


Personal Qualifications

• Critical thinking skills

• Attention to detail

• Empathy

• Willingness to learn

• Flexibility

• Self-motivation

• Professionalism

1-35


Personal Qualifications (cont.)

• Neat appearance– Uniform clean – Shoes – Hairstyle – Nails

• Avoid acrylic nails

– Jewelry– Tattoos– Piercings– Hygiene– Health

1-36



• 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

1-37


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?

1-38



• 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

1-39


Other Attributes

• Diplomacy

• Proper judgment

• Communication skills

• Remaining calm in a crisis

• Willingness to work as a team member

• Ethical behavior

1-40

Continue

Team Dynamics


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

1-41


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

1-42


Scope of Practice

• No single definition of the Scope of Practice for medical assistants

• Varies by state of employment

• Resources– AAMA– AMT– AMAA Occupational Analysis

1-43



ANSWER: List any four of these personal qualifications that medical assistants should display:

Critical thinking skills Attention to detailEmpathy Willingness to learnFlexibility Self-motivationProfessionalism

• List any four personal qualifications you should have to be an effective medical assistant.



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?

Correct!

• When should you take action to change your attitude?


In Summary

1.1 Responsibilities will vary from administrative to laboratory duties

1.2 Professional training includes formal training in a variety of educational settings

1.3 Personal characteristics include flexibility and good communication skills

1.4 Cross-training/being multiskilled is important for marketability

1-46


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.

1-47


End of Chapter 11-48

Participating in any aspect of healing is an

awe-inspiring experience.

— Carol Jackson, The Healer’s Art

Documents

The Profession of Medical Assisting