1. The Medical Assisting Profession
Chapter 1
The Medical Assisting Profession

2. Historical Perspective of Profession
1978: profession of medical assisting recognized by U.S. Dept. of Education
1991: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) approved current definition of medical assisting

3. Career Opportunities Versatile and multifaceted profession
Employment in variety of settings
500,000 MAs in workforce
Projections of more than 650,000 by 2018
Locally
PMMC & RRMC Requesting up to 300 CMA or RMA within the next 1-2 years

4. Education of the Medical Assistant
Community colleges, junior colleges, proprietary schools
Requirements based on entry-level MA responsibilities in medical office
New mode of education is online education
Student receives diploma or certificate

5. Education of the Medical Assistant
Courses in a Medical Assisting Program
Administrative
General
Clinical
Practicum (externship and internship)
Sites
Benefits
(See Table 1-1: Some Typical Administrative, General, and Clinical Courses in an Accredited Medical Assisting Program)

6. AAMA American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Founded in 1956
Certification
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Voluntary, not mandatory, for medical assistants to practice
Continuing education requirement for recertification of CMA credential

7. AMT American Medical Technologists (AMT) Founded in 1939
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
1972: AMT established certification examination
Voluntary credential for medical assistants
National exam
Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)
Competent in multitude of skills
Familiar with clinical and administrative concepts
Credentials help secure medical assistant’s role in health care field

8. AMT / NHA American Medical Techologist
National Healthcareer Association
Certifies and offers continuing education course development
Membership services for professionals
Registry for certified professionals
Two ways to attain certification
National certification/registry exam
NHA/AMT home study courses

9. AMT / NHA AMT Continuing education NHA Continuing education
Certification Continuation Program (CCP)
To maintain RMA credential, you must obtain 30 points in 3-year period
NHA Continuing education
To maintain NHA Certification, you must obtain 10 credits every two years to remain active

10. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
Independent certifying body for many allied health professions
Two routes:
Graduation from approved educational program
Qualifying work experience
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

11. Regulation of Health Care Providers
Credentialing regulates health care providers, which ensures:
Competence of health care providers
Minimum standard of knowledge, training, skill
Limiting of performance of certain procedures to specific occupation
Licensure, certification, registration are three kinds of regulations/credentialing
(See Table 1-2: Comparison of Requirements for Certification, Licensure, and Registration)

12. Regulation of Health Care Providers
Scope of practice
Medical assistants not licensed
License: regulates activities of professions by laws that specify educational requirements and define scope of practice
MAs can become certified voluntarily
What Medical Professionals need to be licensed?

13. Attributes of MA Professional
As you watch the video clip, write down all the characteristics that Dee is lacking.

14. Attributes of MA Professional
Reflection – Are there any similarities between Dee and yourself?