Medical Assisting

Description of MA: Fl statute 458.

3485 professional multiskilled person dedicated to assisting in all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician. This practitioner assists with patient care management, executes administrative and clinical procedures, and often performs managerial and supervisory functions. Competence in the field also requires that a medical assistant adhere to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize and respond to emergencies, and demonstrate professional characteristics.

Web-Their clinical duties may include preparing patients for examination and/or treatment, obtaining blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, administering medication, assisting the physician in the examination, performing phlebotomy and medical laboratory procedures and electrocardiograms, taking x-rays, sterilizing equipment, and assisting with minor office surgery. Clerical duties include scheduling and receiving patients, maintaining medical records, handling telephone calls, and assuming responsibility for billing, collections, and insurance claims. Medical assistant responsibilities vary from one office to another.In a small office the assistant may be a generalist while in a large office the physician may expect the assistant to perform either clerical or clinical duties, but not both. 458.

3485 (2)? DUTIES. —Under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed physician, a medical assistant may undertake the following duties: (a)? Performing clinical procedures, to include: 1.? Performing aseptic procedures. 2.? Taking vital signs. 3.

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? Preparing patients for the physician’s care. 4.? Performing venipunctures and nonintravenous injections. 5.? Observing and reporting patients’ signs or symptoms. (b)? Administering basic first aid.

c)? Assisting with patient examinations or treatments. (d)? Operating office medical equipment. (e)? Collecting routine laboratory specimens as directed by the physician. (f)? Administering medication as directed by the physician. (g)? Performing basic laboratory procedures. (h)? Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties required by the physician. (i)? Performing dialysis procedures, including home dialysis. (3)? CERTIFICATION.

—Medical assistants may be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants or as a Registered Medical Assistant by the American Medical Technologists.By law, whenever a medical assistant provides ANY type of direct patient care the supervising doctor, or licensed health care professional in charge MUST be physically present in the medical office, or building! This rule applies in every US state regardless of how well trained the medical assistant might be, what his/her credentials are and how many years of experience he/she has. Direct supervision requires the physical presence of the supervising doctor in the office before, during, and after the administration, and includes the diagnosis, authorization, and evaluation of the patient.Any other use and means is illegal and will be taken very seriously, with very SERIOUS consequences. It has been asked whether a medical assistant can be entrusted with the key to the controlled substances locker. This decision is left up to the discretion of the supervising physician.

o, ALL medical assistants in every state must properly introduce themselves as such, as to not being mistaken for registered nursing staff by a patient. Furthermore, they must never offer any medical advice and always assure patient privacy, careful documentation, and safe keeping of the patient’s medical records at all times. 1.Prepare and file medical records and patient charts 2.

Maintain medical records using standard filing systems 3. Perform inventory control and ordering supplies 4. Maintain and adjust medical office equipment 5. Manage a petty cash drawer 6. Post service charges and payments 7. Gather community resources 8. Prepare and maintain appointment books 9.

Sterilize, wrap and label instruments 10. Set up the examination room for the next patient 11. Record body measurements and vital signs 12. Prepare patients for their physical examinations 13. Assist with therapeutic procedures 14. Assist during simple surgical procedures 5. Prepare and administer medications as ordered 16.

Draw up liquid medications and administer (most of) them as ordered 17. Collect and preserve bodily fluids, blood, and other specimens 18. Perform simple STAT screening tests on collected specimens 19.

Answer phones and relay patient’s requests and questions 20. Type business correspondence 21. Transcribe dictated documents 22. Repeat and explain doctor’s instructions (i. e. patient education) 23.

Read laboratory or other results over the phone, but not interpret them 24. Respond to medical office emergencies, administer CPR and basic first aid 25. pply a topical numbing agent to the skin, such as an EMLA® patch 26. Place and initiate an IV line except in states where the Medical Board prohibits it Things Medical Assistants Are NOT Allowed To Do 1. Independently diagnose or treat patients 2.

(never! ) assess, plan and evaluate patients, or their care (nor can it ever be delegated) 3. Perform arterial punctures (EVER! ) 4. Perform tests that involve the penetration of human tissues except for skin allergy tests and venous and capillary blood collection to obtain a sample for diagnostic laboratory tests 5.Administer intravenous (IV) medications (see new rules on IV therapy here). Only professionals that are certified or licensed to do so are allowed to do this, typically an LVN/LPN or Registered Nurse (RN) 6. Independently provide medical treatment, analyze test results, advise patients about their condition, or treatment regimen, or perform medical care decision making 7. Administer any anesthetic agents that render a patient unconscious or semiconscious Independently prescribe or refill medications 8.Practice physical therapy, except technical supportive services, which utilize concepts of physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed health care professional 9.

Do clinical skills which require health professional licensure and constitute the practice of medicine Medical assistants in a typical medical office setting are often asked to administer different types of injections, such as vaccines, medications, hormones, B12, and intradermal injections like TB skin and allergy testing when ordered by the physician. In order to do this they must be fully trained and supervised.Medical assistants can give any of these “shots” only if the doctor is present.

He/she doesn’t have to literally be standing over the medical assistant observing the procedure, but must be present in the office or the building and be reachable at the spur of a moment. Any medical assistant who administers injections without a doctor’s orders, or without a doctor present, even if it is to an established patient, who had them before, or is on a regular schedule, is in violation of the law. There should also be a mention of additional licenses or training requirements for medical assistants expected to perform certain skills, e. .

phlebotomy, ECG/EKG, or specific physical therapy modalities. Some states mandate that medical assistants who are involved in taking and processing radiological images (x-rays) must have a limited x-ray license; one of these states is Florida. Cannot do exrays without taking the exam of the state When it comes to reading lab or x-ray result to patients over the phone, that is permissible. Medical assistants are allowed to read x-ray and various other medical screening and laboratory results from the medical chart.Once the x-ray or lab test results have been verbally transmitted directly to the patient over the phone and the patient has specific questions about the values then the medical assistant must refer them to speak directly the doctor for his/her interpretation.

Once read, the medical assistant annotates the lab slip with the date, who he/she spoke to over the phone, any other brief notes, initials it and files it back into the patient’s chart and brings chart to doctor. A short annotation is enough (but very important! ): “05/15/2009; results read to PT, referred to doctor; SMD, CCMA (initials). It is good practice to also mail a copy to the patient. Professional certification is a voluntary process which is strongly backed by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and a number of other certification bodies as a way to guarantee competency of a medical assistant at a job-entry level. Certification is usually achieved by taking the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination offered by the AAMA Certifying Board in consultation with the National Board of Medical Examiners, which also administers many national exams for physicians. 7] The CMA (AAMA) exam is offered throughout the year at computer-based testing centers across the United States.

[8] Only individuals who have successfully completed a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting program are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination. [9] Those who successfully complete the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination earn the CMA (AAMA) credential. The title CMA (AAMA) then follows postnominally. A CMA (AAMA) must recertify every 60 months by continuing education[10] or re-examination[7] in order to maintain certification.More information about the AAMA and CMA (AAMA) certification can be found at http://www. aama-ntl. org The CMA (AAMA) must graduate from an accredited postsecondary academic program, pass a national examination administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners, and recertify every five years.

All CMAs (AAMA) are required to graduate from an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program. To earn the credential, graduates must pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification/Recertification Examination. (This examination is accredited by the National Commission forCertifying Agencies and utilizes the National Board of Medical Examiners as examination consultant. ) The CMA (AAMA) is required to recertify every five years by retesting or continuing education. Just as licensed professionals can be disciplined for illegal or unethical conduct, any CMA (AAMA) who violates the Disciplinary Standards for the CMA (AAMA) is subject to sanctions such as temporary or permanent revocation of the credential. 2 Table 1.

Clinical Competencies for the Medical Assistant 1. Fundamental Procedures a. Perform handwashing b. Wrap items for autoclaving . Perform sterilization techniques d. Dispose of biohazardous materials e.

Practice Standard Precautions 2. Specimen Collection a. Perform venipuncture b. Perform capillary puncture c.

Obtain specimens for microbiological testing d. Instruct patients in the collection of a clean-catch, midstream urine specimen e. Instruct patients in the collection of a fecal specimen 3. Diagnostic Testing a. Perform electrocardiography b. Perform respiratory testing c.

CLIA Waived Tests: (i) Perform urinalysis (ii) Perform hematology testing (iii) Perform chemistry testing iv) Perform immunology testing (v) Perform microbiology testing 4. Patient Care a. Perform telephone and in-person screening b.

Obtain vital signs c. Obtain and record patient history d. Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas e. Prepare patient for and assist with routine and specialty examinations f. Prepare patient for and assist with procedures, treatments and minor office surgeries g. Apply pharmacology principles to prepare and administer oral and parenteral (excluding IV) medications h.

Maintain medication and immunization records i. Screen and follow-up test resultsAdministrative medical assistants update and file patients’ medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical medical assistants have various duties, depending on State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and ssisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.

Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean. Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They apply eye dressings and also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses.Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists.

They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement About this section Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1- or 2-year programs. Almost all medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although there are no formal education or training requirements. Education and training. Medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Postsecondary programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate degree.Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as keyboarding, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing.

Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are two accrediting bodies that accredit medical assisting programs. Accredited programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians’ offices or other healthcare facilities.Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not required.

Many medical assistants are trained on the job, and usually only need to have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, keyboarding, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the healthcare field also is helpful. Medical assistants who are trained on the job usually spend their first few months attending training sessions and working closely with more experienced workers.Some States allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections or taking x rays, after passing a test or taking a course.

Other qualifications. Medical assistants deal with the public; therefore, they must be neat and well groomed and have a courteous, pleasant manner and they must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians’ instructions. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information.

Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity. Certification and advancement.Although not required, certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of knowledge. It may also help to distinguish an experienced or formally trained assistant from an entry-level assistant, which may lead to a higher salary or more employment opportunities.

There are various associations—such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and Association of Medical Technologists (AMT)—that award certification credentials to medical assistants. The certification process varies by association. It is also possible to become certified in a specialty, such as podiatry, optometry, or ophthalmology.

Medical assistants may also advance to other occupations through experience or additional training. For example, some may go on to teach medical assisting, and others pursue additional education to become nurses or other healthcare workers. Administrative medical assistants may advance to office managers, or qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations. Duties, Activities, and Scope of Practice Medical assistants perform a variety of functions in order to keep things running smoothly in their particular health care setting.These can include answering phones and scheduling appointments, receiving patients and copayments, ordering supplies, and stocking cabinets.

In addition to these responsibilities, medical assistants may also help to obtain patient medical histories, take height and weight measurements as well as vital signs, and prepare patients for examinations. They may also be trained to draw blood samples, perform routine tests, and take EKGs. They may assist the physician in procedures and examinations, apply dressings, and provide necessary instructions to patients regarding tests, medications, and treatments.Medical assistants also maintain examination rooms and waiting rooms in a neat, clean, and orderly fashion. They sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. Education and Training A high school diploma or GED is required. The majority of medical assistants are trained in formal programs offered by community colleges and vocational schools. Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Community college programs offer an associate’s degree and take two years to complete.Vocational schools and other programs offer certificates or diplomas and are about one year in length. Question What courses are included in the associate’s degree program? The curriculum includes medical terminology, biology, anatomy and physiology, transcription, computers, accounting, and record keeping. There is also instruction in laboratory techniques, use and maintenance of medical equipment, and clinical procedures.

Programs also cover written and oral communication, medical law and ethics, business correspondence, insurance procedures, and billing.Supervised clinical practice and externship are also part of the curriculum. Licensure/Certification Certification or registration is completely voluntary but does improve the hiring capabilities and often increases the salary for medical assistants. Medical assistants can be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

The AAMA requires the candidate to have graduated from an accredited program and pass a written competency exam. Those who successfully complete this process become certified and can use the title C. M. A.The AMT offers registration to medical assistants who have completed an accredited program or an armed-forces training course and pass the certification examination. High school graduates who received on-the-job training and have five years’ experience as a medical assistant can also apply to take the AMT exam and become registered. •Perform clinical and administrative tasks to keep the workflow going, if supervised by a physician or other health care practitioner. •Determine the acuity of a visit and the visit length for appointment scheduling purposes using an office protocol provided by the supervising physician.

Measure and record vital signs. •Record patient demographics and basic information about the presenting and previous conditions. •Use medical terminology and accepted charting abbreviations. •Escort patients to the exam room and prepare them for an exam. •Use scientific methods to solve problems and choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems. •Convey clinical information on behalf of the physician. •Arrange examining-room instruments and equipment.

•Change wound dressings and obtain wound cultures. •Remove sutures or staples from superficial incisions or lacerations. •Operate diagnostic equipment but cannot interpret tests. Provide patient information and instructions. •Provide a single dose of oral medication as ordered by the physician to a patient for immediate self-administration under observation. •Administer medications topically, sublingually, vaginally, rectally, and by injection. •Perform CPR and render First Aid in an emergency. •Prepare patients for examination, including draping, shaving, and disinfecting treatment sites.

•Perform aseptic procedures such as wound care. •Collect blood specimens via capillary and venipuncture technique. •Obtain specimens by noninvasive techniques, such as wound cultures. •Perform imple laboratory and screening tests customarily performed STAT in a medical office, such as urinalysis. •Administer different types of cryotherapy to reduce pain or swelling. •Filing and bookkeeping. •Process insurance claims. •Transcribe medical dictation for medical records.

Call in prescription orders or refills to the pharmacy, but only as ordered and approved by physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. The sites warns that medical assistants cannot: •Independently perform telephone triage (medical assistants are not legally authorized to interpret data or diagnose symptoms! ). Independently diagnose or treat patients. •Independently prescribe medications. •Independently give out medication samples. •Independently refill prescription requests. •Independently do triage.

•Inject medications into a vein (most states) unless permitted by state law. •Start, flush, or discontinue IVs (most states) unless permitted by state law. •Provide medical treatment, analyze, or interpret test results. •Advise patients about their condition or treatment regimen. •Make assessments or perform any kind of medical care decision making.

•Administer any anesthetic agent (except topical numbing agents such as EMLA cream). Perform tests that involve the penetration of human tissues except for skin tests and drawing blood as provided by law. •Interpret the results of blood or skin tests.

•Operate laser equipment. Running Header: {Project Full Name} {Project Full Name} {Your Name} {Institution} {Professor’s Name} {Course Number} {Date} Thesis—Outline—Conclusion References Alphabetical Order—Second Line Of Your Reference needs to have a hanging indent of 5 spaces. http://www. netplaces. com/health-care-careers/adjunct-team-members/medical-assistants-front-office-workers-and-medical-secretaries. htm http://healthcareers. about.

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336. ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www. aama-ntl. org/ http://www. broward.

org/Library/Reference/Pages/BLGHealthMedicalSciences. aspx http://www. aama-ntl. org/medassisting/articles. aspx http://vsearch. nlm. nih. gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta? v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=medical+assistant&x=0&y=0 http://www.

aama-ntl. org/resources/library/CMAandRMA. pdf http://www. doh. state. fl. us/MQA/podiatry/po_statutes. html http://flahec.

org/hlthcareers/assist. HTM http://www. medscape. com/viewarticle/580647_2

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