1. Professional and Career Responsibilities
Unit 1
Professional and
Career Responsibilities

2. A Career As an Administrative Medical Assistant
Chapter 1
A Career As an
Administrative Medical Assistant

3. Objectives
Review the learning and performance objectives for this chapter
By the end of this chapter, demonstrate the procedures in the textbook and the job skills in the workbook

4. The Heart of the Health Care Professional
Motto: “Think with empathy, act through service.”

5. Administrative Medical Assisting
Stimulate your mind
Motivate your curiosity
Energize your work ethic
Enliven your spirit

6. Customer-Service Oriented Practice
Serving the needs of patients is the reason for going into this profession
Satisfied patients
= Provider’s success

7. Employment Opportunities
Medical offices
Hospitals
Research institutes
Insurance companies
Laboratories
Pharmaceutical companies

8. Employment Opportunities
Administrative Medical Assistant
Front office duties
Appointments
Receptionist

9. Employment Opportunities
Clinical Medical Assistant
Back office duties
Direct patient care
Performing procedures

10. Career Advantages
Work is available anywhere in the world where medicine is practiced
Training may be combined with education, resulting in certification and a college degree

11. Career Advantages
Part-time, flextime, and full-time employment is available, depending on the needs of a particular medical office

12. Job Responsibilities
See job description for a complete listing of job responsibilities
(Figure 1-3)

13. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Aggressive versus assertive behavior
Aggressive = pushy and overbearing
Assertive = professional confidence
Grieving or distressed patients
Honesty
Concern
Support

14. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Death and Dying – Stages
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

15. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Hospice
Hospice Foundation of America
Medical care and support for patients and families dealing with a terminal illness
Quality of life
Dignity of the dying patient

16. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Stress
Physical, psychological, and emotional reactions to circumstances
Work circumstances
Personal circumstances

17. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Coping with stress
Be aware of what causes it
Evaluate the situation
Confront the problem
Cultivate healthy relationships
Take regular breaks

18. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Manage stress in the workplace
Practice skills
Organize and prioritize
Be realistic
Practice relaxation techniques

19. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Manage stress in the workplace
Exercise your sense of humor
Do not overreact
Creative problem solving

20. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Manage stress in the workplace
Rely on a support system
Think positive
Monitor your health
Seek professional help if necessary

21. Understanding Emotional and Psychological Problems
Burnout
Caused by too much OR too little stress
Occurs most often in “helping” professions
Avoiding burnout
Vary assignments and routines
Have a voice in the decision-making process

22. Professionalism
Image
Grooming
Clothing
Attitude
Confidence
Diplomacy

23. Professionalism
Health and physical fitness
Credentialing

24. Professionalism Health and physical fitness
Exercise diminishes stress
Credentialing – See Table 1-1
Licensure
Accreditation
Certification
Registration

25. Keeping Current Professional publications Network with peers
Professional organizations
Educational seminars
Internet research
Continuing education
Continuing education units

26. Stop and Think Case Scenarios
Review scenario “Listen and Observe”
What would you think and say to her?
Review scenario “Positive Attitude”
Think about each statement and tell how you would respond, considering whether his statement(s) and your response(s) are positive, negative, or neutral.

27. Scenario p.23 Listen and Observe
Scenario- A patient who is usually cheerful comes into the office and sits in the corner not talking to anyone. She is wearing a grumpy look and her posture is one of dejection.
What do you think and say to her?

28. Scenario #2 p.23 Positive Attitude
Scenario; A patient arrives and you ask him how he is. He responds, “Well, I don’t know until I find out my test results.” He also says, “ The numbers probably haven’t changed and I’ll have to continue taking all of these pills.”
Think about these statements, tell how you would respond, considering whether his statement(s) and your responses are positive, negative , or neutral.

29. Stop and Think Case Scenarios
Review the scenario “Patient Education”
How can you tactfully educate Mary Lou’s mother about her daughter’s reactions?
How would you inform the mother and Mary Lou about what the physician will be doing?

30. Stop and Think Case Scenarios
Review the scenario “Aggressive Versus Assertive Response”
Try to reword what you would say to the patient so that it is assertive instead of aggressive