Transcript The Profession of Medical Assisting

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The Profession of Medical
Assisting
PowerPoint® presentation to accompany:
Medical Assisting
Third Edition
Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh, Thompson
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Learning Outcomes
1.1 Describe the job responsibilities of a medical
assistant.
1.2 Discuss the professional training of a medical
assistant.
1.3 Identify the personal characteristics a medical
assistant needs.
1.4 Define multiskilled health professional.
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)
1.5 Explain the importance of continuing education for
a medical assistant.
1.6 Describe the process and benefits of certification
and registration.
1.7 List the benefits of becoming a member of a
professional association.
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Introduction
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Fast-growing
occupation
Generalist
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Medical assistant
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Graduate of accredited
institution
Multitasking skills
Someone trained in
all departments of the
facility
A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in the
administrative area, the clinical areas, and the financial areas.
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Growth of the MA Profession
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According to U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of
Statistics, medical assistants held 365,000 jobs in
2002.
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60% in physicians’ offices
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14 % in hospitals
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10% in nursing homes and offices of other health-care
practitioners
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Remainder in outpatient care centers, laboratories, and
other health-care-related services
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Knowledge Base Needed
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Administrative and clinical skills
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Patient insurance product knowledge
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Compliance (OSHA, CLIA and HIPAA)
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Knowledge Base Needed (cont.)
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OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
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CLIA – Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act
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HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
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Knowledge Base Needed (cont.)
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Providing exceptional customer service
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Practice management
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Current patient treatments and education
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American Association of Medical
Assistants (AAMA)
National Organization
Purpose: To raise the standard
of medical assisting to a
more professional level
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
20 N. WACKER DR., Ste. 1575
CHICAGO, IL 60606
(312) 899-1500
http://www.aama-ntl.org/
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AAMA
Serves the needs of medical assistants by
providing:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Publications
Accreditation
Certification
Recertification
Continuing education
Legislative monitoring
• Member discounts
• Group insurance
• Annual national
convention
• Networking
opportunities
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AAMA Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of AAMA sets forth
principles of ethical and moral conduct as
they relate to the medical profession and the
particular practice of Medical Assisting.
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Members of AAMA are dedicated to the
conscientious pursuit of their profession.
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Apply Your Knowledge
List four ways the AAMA serves the
needs of the medical assistant.
ANSWER: The AAMA serves the needs of the medical
assistant by providing the following services:
Publications
Certification
Continuing Education
Member Discounts
Annual National Convention
Opportunities
Good
Job
Accreditation
Recertification
Legislative Monitoring
Group Insurance
Networking
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Importance of Credentialing
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Malpractice
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Having credentialed personnel or staff will
lessen the likelihood of legal challenges of the
quality of care
Managed Care Organizations (MCO)
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Place great importance in credentials for
employees.
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Certified Medical Assistant
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CMA credential is awarded
by the Certifying Board of
the AAMA
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Certification examination
evaluates mastery of
medical assisting
competencies
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Recertify every
5 years
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Continuing education
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Registered Medical Assistant
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Credential is given by
American Medical
Technologists (AMT)
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Certification exam
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Educational and experiential requirements
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High school graduate or acceptable equivalent
Graduate from accredited program
Pass the AMT exam
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RMA/CMA Examinations
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General medical
knowledge
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Terminology
Anatomy and
physiology
Behavioral science
Medical law
Ethics
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Medical Assistant Associations
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Set standards for quality and performance
in the profession
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Define tasks and functions for an
occupation
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Provide opportunities for member
networking
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Further the profession and assist members
to achieve career goals
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Member Benefits
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AAMA (CMA)
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Professional
publications
Educational
opportunities
Group insurance
Legal information
Networking
Legislative monitoring
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AMT (RMA)
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Professional
publications
AMT Institute for
Education
Educational
opportunities
Group insurance
Legal representation
Networking
Student membership
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RMA/CMA Examinations
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Administrative
knowledge
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Medical record
management
Collections
Insurance processing
HIPAA
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Clinical knowledge
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Exam room techniques
Medication preparation
and administration
Pharmacology
Specimen collections
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Apply Your Knowledge
What are two reasons why credentialing
is important?
ANSWER: The likelihood of a legal challenge to quality of
care decreases when employees are certified, and Managed
Care Organizations place importance on credentials for
employees.
BRAVO!
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Apply Your Knowledge
Correct
List three things professional
medical assistant associations do or provide.
ANSWER: Medical Assistant Associations
• set standards for quality and performance for the
profession
• define tasks and functions for an occupation
• provide opportunities for member networking
• assist members to achieve career goals
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Accreditation
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The process by which programs
are officially authorized
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Two recognized entities for
accrediting MA programs
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CAAHEP
ABHES
Accreditation ensures that the program meets nationally
accepted standards
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Accredited Programs
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Greater career options
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Completion of a program that
meets national standards
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Provides recognition of your education
by professional peers
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Makes you eligible for registration
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Externships
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Obtain practical work
experience
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Duties will be planned
to meet your program’s
requirements
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Offers you the opportunity to acquire a good
reference
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National Healthcare Association
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Certification exams for other health-care
occupations, such as phlebotomy and ECG
technician
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Continuing education
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Program development
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Education, career advancement, and networking
services for members
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Registry of certified professionals
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Volunteering
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Experience in a variety of settings
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Practical experience
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Help you make career
decisions
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Include on résumé
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Multiskill Training
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Reduces health care costs
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Personnel are cross-trained for more
than one position
Expands your career opportunities
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Office manager
Certified Office Laboratory Technician
Medical lab technician
ECG technician
Medical biller
Hospital admission coordinator
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Apply Your Knowledge
What is the purpose of accreditation for
medical assistant programs?
ANSWER: Accreditation ensures that the program
meets nationally accepted standards.
List two advantages of multiskill training.
ANSWER: Multiskill training reduces healthcare
costs and expands your career opportunities.
Great!
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Daily Duties of MAs – Entry Level
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Administrative, laboratory, and clinical duties
are all part of the duties of a medical assistant
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Administrative
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Greeting patients
Handling correspondence
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Scheduling appointments
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Answering telephone
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Creating and maintaining patient medical records
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Daily Duties of MAs: Entry Level
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Laboratory
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Performing tests such as
a urine pregnancy test on
the premises
Collecting, preparing,
and transmitting
laboratory specimens
Teaching patients to
collect specimens
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Clinical
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Assisting the doctor
during examination
Asepsis and infection
control
Giving medications
Performing ECGs
Explaining treatments
to patients
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Other Duties
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Advanced
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Clinical
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Laboratory
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Initiating an IV and administering medication
Reporting test results
Acting as a patient advocate
Performing as an OSHA compliance officer
Performing more complex testing
Specialization
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Personal Qualifications
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Critical thinking skills
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Attention to detail
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Empathy
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Willingness to learn
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Flexibility
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Self-motivation
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Professionalism
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Appearance
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Uniform clean and
pressed
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Shoes comfortable,
clean, and white
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Hairstyle clean and
pulled back
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Nails short, pale color
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Avoid acrylic nails
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Minimum of jewelry
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Attitude
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Positive and caring
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Respond to criticism as a
learning experience
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Take direction from
authority without question
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Function as a vital member of a medical team
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Change Your Attitude
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If you can answer “yes” to any
of these questions
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Do I have repeated conflicts with people?
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Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in
termination?
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Do I have conflicts with authority figures?
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Do people make comments about my attitude?
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Integrity and Honesty
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Everything you do and every task you complete
should be performed with a goal of excellence.
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Integrity and honesty are key in providing superior
customer service to your patients.
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Your office staff and physician must be able to trust
you and the decisions you make.
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Other Attributes
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Diplomacy
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Proper judgment
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Communication skills
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Remaining calm in a
crisis
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Ethical behavior
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Working As a Team Member
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Team dynamics
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Assist each other with required duties
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Avoid interpersonal conflict with team members
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Perform extra responsibilities without
questioning or complaining
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Be considerate of other team members’ duties
and responsibilities
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AAMA Role Delineation Study
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Areas of competence for entrylevel medical assistants
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Includes Delineation Chart found
in Appendix 1
Provides the basis for medical
assisting education and evaluation
Three areas
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Administrative
Clinical
General
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Scope of Practice
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Regulated by
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Profession’s scope of practice (AAMA)
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Your training
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State of practice
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The policies of the organization or facility
where you practice
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Apply Your Knowledge
List any four personal qualifications you should
have to be an effective medical assistant.
ANSWER: List any four of these personal qualifications
that medical assistants should display:
Critical thinking skills Attention to detail
Empathy
Willingness to learn
Flexibility
Self motivation
Professionalism
Good Answer!
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
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Apply Your Knowledge

When should you take action to change
your attitude?
ANSWER: When you can answer “yes” to any of the
following questions:
 Do I have repeated conflicts with people?
 Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in
termination?
 Do I have conflicts with authority figures?
 Do people make comments about my attitude?
Correct!
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In Summary
Medical Assistant
Training on-the-job versus training programs
Skills and duties
according to
AAMA Role
Delineation Chart
Stay abreast of changes
in technology,
procedures, and
regulations
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End of Chapter
Participating in any aspect of healing
is an awe-inspiring experience.
— Carol Jackson, The Healer’s Art
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved