1. Medical Assistants: The Profession
MA100 Instructor: Mayra M Howells

2. LEARNING 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.

3. Critical Thinking Questions
How long has the medical assisting field been in existence?
What has caused the field to grow?

4. The History and Training of Medical Assistants
Originally an on the job training
Increase responsibility meant increase liability, led to the need for formal training
Prior to the formal training nurses were in higher demand to assist physicians
Historically, when physicians began their practices, it was common for them to hire individuals and train them on the job.
The increase in responsibility and liability issues led to the need for medical assistants to be more
formally trained.
Prior to the formal training of medical assistants, nurses were in higher demand to assist physicians.

5. American Association of Medical 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 visit
Source: American Association of Medical Assistants, Chicago, IL
The AAMA
A. The AAMA as Acronym for the American Association of Medical Assistants.
B. The AAMA was founded by Maxine Williams.
C. In the year 1955, the AAMA was organized.

6. Critical Thinking Questions
Why is it important for medical assistants to be formally trained?
Does the existence of organizations such as the AAMA help the profession? If so, how?

7. AAMA Definition of a Medical Assistant
As a multiskilled health professional educated to primarily work in ambulatory settings.
Performs both administrative and clinical procedures.
AAMA Definition of a Medical Assistant
As a multiskilled health professional educated to primarily work in ambulatory settings.
A. According to the AAMA’s definition of medical assistants, MAs work primarily in ambulatory settings.
B. Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical procedures.

8. 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.

9. Accrediting Agencies for Medical 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 -
ABHES -

10. Accreditation
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

11. Curriculum Typically Found 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

12. The Medical Assistant Externship
Is a required component of the program
Externships take place in
physician’s offices
clinics
hospital settings

13. Lesson 2: Role and Responsibilities of the Medical Assistant

14. Critical Thinking Question
Why would an MA choose to work in one type of employment setting versus another?

15. Role and Responsibilities Medical 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.
Role of the Medical Assistant
The role of the MA is to assist the physician.
Duties of the Medical Assistant
A. Duties typically vary from office to office.
B. Size and type of setting determine the types of duties the medical assistant will perform.
C. Duties vary due to federal and state regulations and guidelines.

16. Administrative Duties
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
Administrative Duties
A. Screening nonpatients and visitors is one example of the MA’s administrative duties.
B. During the physician’s absence it is up to the medical assistant to handle (or manage) the office.

17. Good communication and social skills are required in each of them.
The medical assisting profession offers many settings in which to pursue your career. Good communication and social skills are required in each of them.

18. Helping maintain accurate patient records is a critical part of the medical assistant's work.

19. Good computer skills are now required to be a successful member of an office staff.

20. Clinical 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
Clinical Responsibilities
A. Clinical responsibilities of the MA include assisting patients in preparation for physical exams and
procedures.
B. Prior to a physical exam, the MA may need to obtain a patient’s medical history.
C. Inventory control may involve the ordering and storing of supplies.

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

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

23. Critical Thinking Question
Are MAs always expected to have both administrative and clinical skills?

24. The 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
Defines specific areas of instruction and competences for medical assisting.
B. Study used a document called the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum).
C. Study was revised in the year 2003 and again in 2007–2008.
General, Clinical, and Administrative Skills of the CMA (AAMA)
A. Identifies three major categories of competences of entry-level MAs
i. Administrative
ii. Clinical
iii. General or interdisciplinary

25. Qualities of a Good Allied Healthcare Professional
Competent to perform clinical and administrative skills.
Ability to communicate and collaborate with others.
Demonstrates:
Empathy
Integrity
Discretion
Confidentiality
Thoroughness
Congeniality
Proactivity
Punctuality
Appearance
General Characteristics of a Good MA
A. Ability to perform clinical and administrative skills.
B. Genuinely cares about others.
C. Ability to communicate and get along with others.

26. Critical Thinking Question
How does an MA present a professional image?

27. How to Present a Professional Image
Develop a basic understanding of human behavior.
Exhibit good daily personal hygiene and grooming habits.
Provide quality care.
How to Present a Professional Image
A. Develop a basic understanding of human behavior.
B. Exhibit good daily personal hygiene and grooming habits.
C. Provide quality care.

28. Lesson 3: Certification and Career Opportunities for the Medical Assistant

29. Certification and Career Opportunities
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
Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant may demonstrate your commitment to the profession and the continuing education required to maintain the CMA credential. Source: American Association of Medical Assistants, Chicago, IL
MA Certifying Organizations
i. AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants)
ii. AMT (American Medical Technologists)
M01_PCMA9447_02_IRM_C01.qxd 3/2/10 4:57 PM Page 5
iii. NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing)
iv. NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
6 Chapter 1/Medical Assisting: The Profession © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

30. Critical Thinking Question
Should medical assistants become certified, and if so why?
What qualifies an individual to sit for the CMA exam?

31. The American Association of 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 Association of Medical Assistants
A. Headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois.
B. Key association in the field of medical assisting.
C. Offers CMA credential.
AAMA Certification Exam
A. Offered to graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES.
B. Computerized exams are available throughout the year.
C. Certification indicates that the candidate has met the standards of the AAMA for being an MA.

32. American Medical Technologists
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
A. Provides a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam for MAs.
B. RMA is awarded to candidates who pass the AMT certification exam.
C. RMA certification exam focuses on three areas:
i. General medical assisting knowledge
ii. Administrative medical assisting
iii. Clinical medical assisting

33. Critical Thinking Question
What would qualify an individual to take the AMT certification exam?

34. Qualifications of RMA Certification

35. AMT Certification 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.
AMT Certification Requirements for Applicants
A. Be of good moral character.
B. Graduate must have graduated from an accredited program/organization.
C. Applicant must have completed a minimum of 720 clock-hours or equivalent of training.
General Medical Assisting Knowledge
i. Anatomy and physiology
ii. Medical terminology
iii. Medical law
iv. Medical ethics
v. Human rights
vi. Patient education

36. Registered Medical Assistants
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:

37. National Center for Competency 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.
Issues the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential.
B. Candidate must be a high school graduate and have completed an MA program or provide documentation
of two years MA experience.
C. Continuation of certification requires 14 hours per year of continuing education.

38. National Certified Medical 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:
Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing.
B. To qualify a candidate must have a high school diploma and must have completed a medical
assisting program.
C. Those who are not graduates of a MA program but are able to provide documentation of two years
experience working as an MA are eligible to sit for the NCMA exam

39. National Healthcareer Association
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
A. Founded in the year 1989.
B. Grants the following two credentials: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified
Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA).
C. Qualified applicants must pass a professional examination.

40. Critical Thinking Questions
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?

41. Career Opportunities Data Processing Clerk Unit 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

42. Job Opportunities
Inpatient and Ambulatory Care Settings

43. Job Opportunities
Health Care Departments and Specialties

44. Statistics on Jobs in Medical 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 will be a fast-growing occupation
For more information on these statistics visit

45. Medical Laboratory Technician
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
The first clinical laboratory opened in 1889 in John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

46. Qualifications 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
Close attention to detail is also essential for Medical Laboratory Technicians because small differences or changes in test substances or numerical readouts can be crucial to a diagnosis.

47. National Accrediting Agencies And 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) 
Many employers prefer applicants who are certified by a recognized professional association, such as the American Medical Technologists.  Some states require Medical Laboratory Technicians to be licensed or registered.
Nationally recognized agencies that accredit Medical Technologist and Medical Laboratory Technician programs

48. Differences between 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=

49. 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-

50. Places 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

51. Career 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

52. Phlebotomy 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
The ancient art of blood letting
Dates back to ancient Egyptian and
Greek societies
The practice was to eradicate spirits
and sickness
In the5th century BC, barbers where
the common practitioners of
blood letting which is how the red and white striped signs originated, They employed barbers and sometimes an insect called a leech to bleed individuals thought to suffer from a blood-related disease.  Often blood-letting weakened the patient and caused death. Occasionally, the blood-letting procedure actually brought relief, as in the case for those with high blood pressure. follow set protocols in order to make sure they and their patients remain safe.  Phlebotomists are not only trained specifically to each required skill, but are also tested and certified in each skill, and require recertification every three years after continuing education.

53. Qualifications
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

54. National Accrediting Agencies And 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
There are ten nationally recognized certifying agencies in the United States. Some of these agencies include the American Certification Agency, the American Medical Technologists, and the National Center for Competency Testing, the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the National Phlebotomy Association.

55. Employment Outlook
Employment opportunities for certified phlebotomy technicians, are expected to grow by 14% between 2008 and 2018
Source-

56. Places 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

57. Certification and Career Opportunities
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

58. ?
Thank You
for
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