Medical Assisting: The profession
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Transcript Medical Assisting: The profession
Medical Assisting:
The profession
LESSON 1:
THE HISTORY AND
TRAINING OF
MEDICAL
ASSISTANTS
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be
able to …
Define and spell the terms to learn for this
chapter.
Discuss the history of medical assisting as a
profession.
Discuss educational opportunities available for
medical assistants.
Identify accrediting agencies for medical
assisting programs.
THINK and DISCUSS
1. How long has the medical
assisting field been in
existence?
2. What has caused the field to
grow?
Steps in the History of Trained Medical Assistants
1.
MAs were originally trained on the job.
2. Responsibility and liability issues increased, leading to
more formal training.
3.Nurses were in higher demand due to physicians
familiarity with this profession.
4. Demand for well trained MAs increased as
nursing shortages grew, as the MA
profession expanded, and as physicians
began to see the value in hiring MAs.
The AAMA
Acronym for the American Association
of Medical Assistants
Founded by Maxine Williams
Organized in 1956
Williams was the first president of the
AAMA
AAMA Definition of a Medical Assistant
“A multi-skilled allied health
profession whose practitioners
work primarily in ambulatory
settings such as medical offices
and clinics. Medical assistants
function as members of the health
care delivery team and perform
administrative and clinical
procedures.”
THINK and DISCUSS
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?
Curriculum Typically Found in MA Programs
Anatomy and physiology
Medical terminology
Medical law and ethics
Psychology
Communication (oral and written)
Medical assistant administrative procedures
Medical assistant clinical procedures
Professional components
Externship
The Medical Assistant Externship
Component of our MA program
Volunteer position
Settings include physician’s office, clinic, or
hospital setting
Total hours of externship vary
Criteria for Externship
Must be able to work 40hours/week x
4 weeks (160hours)
Must have a passing grade
Improved Progress Reports
Must have good attendance
Must follow uniform/appearance rules
Based on teacher recommendation
Lesson 2:
Role and Responsibilities of the Medical Assistant
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be
able to …
List ten administrative duties of the medical
assistant.
List ten clinical skills medical assistants need to
know.
List qualities usually found in a good medical
assistant.
Role of the Medical Assistant
To assist the physician in providing patient
care
Places of Employment for MAs
Physician offices
Ambulatory care clinics
Government agencies
Urgent care facilities
Free-standing facilities
THINK and DISCUSS
Why would an MA choose to work in one type of
employment setting versus another?
(Think about your moral and ethical beliefs)
Duties of the Medical Assistant
Vary from office to
office
Vary according to
size and type of
setting
Vary due to federal
and state
regulations and
guidelines
Administrative Duties
Scheduling
Greeting patients
Screening non-patients and visitors
Making arrangements for patient admissions to
hospitals, patient tests, and procedures
Providing patient instruction
Updating and filing patient medical records
Coding diagnoses and procedures for insurance
purposes
Administrative Duties (cont.)
Handling financial arrangements with patients
Transcribing medical dictation
Handling the telephone
Writing reports
Handling mail
Performing tasks related to accounts payable and
accounts receivable
Operating office equipment
Administrative Duties (cont.)
Preparing and maintaining employee records
Handling petty cash
Reconciling bank statements
Maintaining records for license renewals,
membership fees, and insurance premiums
Handling the office in the physician’s absence
Assisting the physician with articles, lectures, and
manuscripts
HIPAA guidelines
Read “About HIPAA” HO and discuss
Activity cards w/scenarios
Clinical Responsibilities
Assisting patients
in preparation for
physical exams and
procedures
Perform routine
clinical and lab
procedures
Obtain a medical
history
Clinical Responsibilities (cont.)
Collecting, preparing, and transporting laboratory
specimens
Venipuncture
Assisting the physician with procedures
Instructing and educating patients
Cleaning and sterilizing equipment
Obtaining patient’s height, weight, and vital signs
Preparing and maintaining exam and treatment rooms
Inventory control – ordering and storing of supplies
Disposing of hazardous waste and other materials
Clinical Responsibilities (cont.)
Administering medications
Changing bandages and dressings
Suture removal
Handling drug refills
Performing ECGs
Ensuring compliance with OSHA
Clinical Responsibilities
Performing skills
relevant to various
specialties
Disposing of
contaminated supplies
Sterilizing medical
instruments
Preparing patients for
x-rays
THINK and DISCUSS
Are MAs always expected to have both
administrative and clinical skills?
Post-it
What are the characteristics
of a good Medical Assistant??
General Characteristics of a Good MA
General medical
knowledge
Ability to perform
administrative and
clinical skills
Genuinely care about
others
Ability to
communicate and get
along with others
Qualities Found in a Good MA
Integrity
Punctuality
Discretion
Congeniality
Empathy
Proactive
Ability to
Competence
safeguard
patient’s right to
confidentiality
Thoroughness
How to Present a Professional Image
Using a calm, pleasant speaking voice
Not eating, drinking, or chewing gum while working
in public areas
Developing a basic understanding of human
behavior
Using good communication skills
Exhibiting good daily personal hygiene and
grooming habits
Providing quality care
Activity
Dress/Groom for success
Two groups
Right or wrong
Lesson 3:
Certification and Career Opportunities for the MA
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be
able to …
Discuss the professional organizations that certify
medical assistants.
Identify career opportunities available to medical
assistants and give examples of areas in which you
may choose to work.
MA Certifying Organizations
Medical Assistant Organizations at-a-glance HO
Small group (5) activity
Read about your organization/Share
Qualifications needed
Cost
Benefits of certification
Initials
Renewal CEU’s/cost
General Medical Assisting Knowledge
Anatomy and
physiology
Medical
terminology
Medical law
Medical ethics
Human rights
Patient education
THINK and DISCUSS
1.
What do you think the job outlook in the future for
MAs might be?
2.
What factors might impact the growth of the field
of medical assisting?
Statistics on Jobs in Medical Assisting
FYI:
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 are that the field of medical assisting
from 2002-2012 will be a fast-growing occupation
Job Title Opportunities for MAs
Clinic aid
Data processing clerk
Billing or collection
assistant
Insurance claims
coder
Medical records clerk
Multifunctional
technician
With additional training
other jobs include:
Medical laboratory
assistant
ECG technician
Phlebotomist