1 Becoming a Professional Chapter 2 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2 Becoming a Professional  Technical and social skills expected:  Dependability  Loyalty  A positive attitude  Integrity  Diplomacy  Confidence

3 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Characteristics of a Professional  Dependable  Punctual  Efficient  Reliable  Loyal  Quality work  Initiative  Good work habits  Team player  Ethical

4 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Professional Characteristics  Positive attitude  Enthusiastic  Goal oriented Seeks new learning opportunities  Works well with others  Integrity  Honest  Trustworthy

5 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Diplomacy and Confidence  Diplomacy  Tact Builds good relationships  Empathy Understanding how others feel Putting yourself in their position  Confidence  Helps you make decisions  Helps you provide leadership  Allows you to compromise

6 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Professional (Technical) Abilities  Competence  Ability to get things done  Dexterity  Ability to move with skill or ease  Effective communication  Ability to use good English speaking and writing skills  Nonverbal communication  Ability to use facial expressions and gestures

7 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Personal Appearance  First impression  Very important  Can make it only once  Example: day in court  Personal hygiene and grooming includes:  Bathing daily and using deodorant  Hair, fingernails  Make-up, perfume  Jewelry, minimal and plain

8 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Professional Dress  Uniform  Neat, clean, pressed  Meets dress code of office  Shoes  Clean, no scuffs  Comfortable and supportive  Other  No gum chewing  No tobacco odors  No visible tattoos

9 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Administrative Duties  Answering telephone  Scheduling—computer skills  Filing—record maintenance  Supply ordering  Prescription refills  Making referrals  Patient billing—insurance/coding  Payroll  Banking

10 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Duties  Vital signs—T, P, R, BP, Ht/Wt  ECGs  Blood draws—venipuncture  Administering injections  Patient teaching  Assist with procedures  Set up sterile equipment  Suture removal  Cast removal  Supply inventory

11 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Professional Training Programs  Many types of programs  Vary in length  Accreditation  Voluntary for programs  It helps programs achieve educational goals  Graduate is eligible for professional credentialing Pass either AAMA or AMT certification exam

12 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies  Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)  Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

13 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. AAMA Credentialing Agency  American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)  Awards the certified medical assistant –CMA (AAMA)  Nationally recognized certification  Exam offered by appointment  200 multiple-choice questions  Score based on curve formed from examinees’ past and present scores  Recertification required  60 continuing education units (CEUs) every 5 years

14 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. RMA Credentialing Agency  American Medical Technologists (AMT)  Awards the registered medical assistant (RMA) credential; nationally recognized certification  Exam offered frequently throughout year  Testing sites in major cities for MA graduates’ convenience  Three sections: general, administrative, and clinical with more than 200 questions  Scores based on a scale, with questions weighted according to difficulty; passing grade 70  Recertification  Recommended CEUs: 15 per year

15 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. AAMA and AMT

16 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Advantages of Credentialing  Signifies your attainment of certain competency standards  Allows an employer to make hiring decisions based on applicant’s educational qualifications  Shows commitment to medical assisting profession  Makes you more marketable  Will earn more wages

17 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. CMA (AAMA) Pin

18 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Pin

19 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Certification Test-Taking Skills  Examine your strengths and weaknesses  Refine your test-taking skills  Identify key words in sentence  Select patient-centered answers  Understand how to answer questions: “All of the above” “None of the above”

20 Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Benefits of Continuing Education  Keep up with new knowledge  Reinforce areas related to your job  Networking with other professionals  Required by AAMA and AMT  Needed to recertify or retain active status  CMAs needs 60 CEUs every 5 years or lose credential  RMAs recommended to earn 15 CEUs per year, but do not affect credential