1 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The Medical Assisting Profession Chapter 3

2 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.  The medical assisting profession  Certifications for medical assistants  Duties medical assistants will perform  Professionalism  Professional organizations for medical assistants Medical Assisting

3 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction  The medical assisting profession is expected to grow much faster than average for the period from 2006 to  Offices need flexible medical assistants who can handle both administrative and clinical duties.

4 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The Scope of Practice of a Medical Assistant  The most descriptive term for the professional medical assistant is versatile.  Duties vary from office to office and within the same clinic.  Many medical assistants are cross-trained to handle a variety of duties and to cover for others who may be ill or out of the office for various reasons.

5 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The Scope of Practice of a Medical Assistant Medical assistants are found in:  physicians’ offices  chiropractors’ offices  podiatrists’ offices  hospitals  surgery centers  freestanding emergency centers

6 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Scope of Practice “The performance of delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising physician’s scope of practice consistent with the medical assistant’s education, training, and experience.” “The performance of delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising physician’s scope of practice consistent with the medical assistant’s education, training, and experience.”

7 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Major Categories of Duties Performed by Medical Assistants  Clinical  Administrative

8 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Duties  Taking medical histories  Explaining treatment procedures to patients  Preparing patients for examination  Assisting the physician during the examination  Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens  Performing basic laboratory tests  Instructing patients about medication and special diets

9 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Duties  Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician  Authorizing prescription refills as directed  Drawing blood  Taking electrocardiograms  Removing sutures and changing dressings  Other duties allowed by state regulation and under physician direction

10 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Administrative Duties  Using computer applications  Answering telephones  Greeting patients  Updating and filing patient medical records  Scheduling appointments  Ordering supplies  Billing and collecting  Procedure and diagnosis coding

11 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Administrative Duties  Filing insurance  Taking telephone messages  Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services  Handling correspondence and bookkeeping  Other duties allowed by state regulation and under physician direction

12 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. A Career in Medical Assisting  Medical assistants enjoy a flexible career.  There is no mandatory retirement age.  Medical assisting is attractive to nontraditional students.  Computerization and technical advances have made more positions available for medical assistants.  The trained medical assistant is a valuable asset to the physician’s office.

13 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Outlook for the Profession  The medical assisting occupation is expected to grow much faster than average as determined by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.  This growth is projected to continue through the year  Sixty-two percent of positions are in physician offices.  Statistics and trends in salary and compensation can be found on the DOL OOH website

14 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Education and Training  The ideal medical assistant must be able to perform both administrative and clinical duties.  One medical assistant should be able to substitute for another medical assistant in the office. Cross-training can only make the medical assistant more valuable.

15 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Externships This phase of medical assistant training is designed to offer the student a chance to put skills to work with real patients, providing valuable experience before graduation.

16 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. During the Course:  be open to constructive criticism  take initiative and be a team player  be open to learning skills or techniques that require thinking out of the box

17 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Things you shouldn’t do during employment or clinic:  breach patient confidentiality  pursue romantic relationships with co-workers and/or patients  use any drug sample without express permission  borrow from petty cash  expect the physician to treat family or friends  ask for a prescription from the physician

18 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Continuing Education The professional medical assistant must continually learn about the medical profession and the newest trends and information that affect the medical assistant profession.  reading literature related to the area in which the medical assistant is employed.  attending educational seminars.  attending meetings and conventions for medical assistants.  taking advantage of CEUs.

19 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. CMA Pin

20 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Summary of Scenario  Set goals for classwork and attendance  Plan for obstacles that might arise and prepare several solutions in advance  Devote equal attention to administrative and clinical studies  Develop a good relationship with instructors  Ask for help when needed  Plan to perform well on the externship

21 Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Closing Comments  Skills and knowledge alone do not guarantee success  Personality and professional appearance are critical to the medical assistant’s success  Join professional societies  Participate in continuing education  Realize that medical assisting is a journey of life-long learning