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

2. Historical Perspective of Profession
Nursing: role of management, training, assisting provider in clinical procedures
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

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
Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs

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. Accreditation of MA Programs
CAAHEP
Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs
Accrediting body for medical assisting programs in private and public postsecondary institutions
Standards are minimum standards of quality
On-site review teams evaluate program’s compliance

7. Accreditation of MA Programs
Abhes
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education School
Accreditation to medical assisting programs in public and private schools and colleges that offer health education

8. Attributes of MA Professional
As you watch the video clip, write down all the characteristics that Dee is lacking.
After you watch the video clip, do you see any similarities between Dee and yourself?

9. Attributes of MA Professional
Communication
Presentation
Appearance
Good personal hygiene practices
A smile
Follow dress code for your facility
Use of correct body mechanics

10. Attributes of MA Professional
Manual dexterity
Empathy
Good attitude
Competency
Dependability
Measuring blood pressure requires the MA to see and hear well >>
[FIGURE 1-4]

11. Attributes of MA Professional
Flexibility
Initiative
Desire to learn
Integrity
Accountability
Ethical behavior

12. 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

13. AMT American Medical Technologists (AMT) Founded in 1939
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
1972: AMT established certification examination
Voluntary credential for medical assistants
National exam

14. AMT 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

15. AMT Continuing education Certification Continuation Program (CCP)
To maintain RMA credential, you must obtain 30 points in 3-year period

16. NHA 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 exam
NHA home study courses

17. NHA Continuing education Courses offered online
Certification remains current
NHA recognized and approved by many organizations

18. 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)

19. 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)

20. Regulation of Health Care Providers
Scope of practice
Medical assistants not licensed
Medicine and nursing licensed professions
License: regulates activities of professions by laws that specify educational requirements and define scope of practice
MAs can become certified voluntarily