Chapter 15 The Physician’s Office Health Care Science Technology Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 15 2 Careers in the Physician’s Office The Physician The Physician Assistant The Medical Assistant

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 3 The Physician Most physicians are doctors of medicine (MD), but some are doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). Physicians may specialize. Education includes 4 years of college, followed by 4 years of medical school, then a period of residency or internship.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 4 The Physician (cont.) Job Responsibilities – Must be able to communicate with a variety of people. – Typical responsibilities include: Obtaining a client’s medical history. Performing a physical exam. Listening to heart and lung sounds. Prescribing medications.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 5 The Physician (cont.) Ordering laboratory or radiology tests. Consulting with other physicians or health care team members. Interpreting laboratory results. Educating clients. Performing minor office procedures.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 6 The Physician Assistant Requirements include: – Prior college credit. – An associate or bachelor’s degree. – Evidence of knowledge in specific areas. – Documented experience working with clients in a health care environment. – Passing the Physician Assistant’s National Certifying Exam.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 7 The Physician Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities – Recording clients’ medical histories. – Performing physical examinations.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 8 The Physician Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) – Ordering laboratory and X-ray procedures. – Interpreting the results of laboratory and X-ray tests. – Suturing lacerations. – Applying splints or casts.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 15 9 The Medical Assistant Works under the direction of a physician, but does not diagnose diseases or prescribe medications. Education may include a 2-year college degree.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter The Medical Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities – Operating and maintaining office equipment. – Scheduling clients for appointments. – Maintaining financial and medical records. – Ordering supplies.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter The Medical Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) – Completing general office correspondence. – Billing and processing insurance claims. – Obtaining clients’ medical records.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter The Medical Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) – Administering medications. – Obtaining blood or other specimens. – Processing specimens. – Performing visual and hearing screening tests. – Taking and recording vital signs and other pertinent data. – Documenting client’s chief complaint.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter The Medical Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) – Assisting the physician with minor office procedures. – Removing sutures. – Making sure the client has received follow-up instructions and that follow- up appointments are scheduled.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter The Medical Assistant (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) – Cleaning the examination room after the client leaves. – Processing simple X rays. This requires additional training and certification.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Physician Office Procedures Additional Career Skills

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Additional Career Skills Measuring Blood Glucose – Blood glucose is blood sugar. – Performed with a glucometer.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Additional Career Skills (cont.) Assisting with Minor Office Surgery – The physician explains and performs the surgery. – The office staff must prepare the treatment area, surgical tray, and the client. – A consent form must be signed. – During the procedure the assistant must reassure the client and assist the physician.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Additional Career Skills (cont.) Sutures – Sutures are either absorbable or nonabsorbable, which means they must be removed. – A trained office staff member removes the sutures. – An open wound draining purulent, or pus- containing materials, should be reported to the physician.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Additional Career Skills (cont.) Opening Vials and Ampules – Medications should be checked regularly for outdated containers. – Medications should be stored alphabetically in an area inaccessible to unauthorized persons. – A vial is a small glass bottle with rubber stopper. – An ampule is a small glass container that may be sealed and sterilized.

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter Additional Career Skills (cont.) Performing Injections – Medications are usually ordered using grams or milligrams. – Dosage calculations must be accurate. – Intramuscular injections are placed into a muscle. – Intradermal injections are placed into the dermis (superficial layer of the skin). – Subcutaneous injections are made into the soft tissue beneath the skin.