The Profession of Medical Assisting

1. 1 The Profession of Medical Assisting

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Introduction • Fast-growing occupation • Generalist • Someone trained in all departments of the facility • Medical assistant • Graduate of accredited institution • Multitasking skills A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in the administrative area, the clinical areas, and the financial areas.

5. A Successful Student – Key Factors • Organizational skills – prepare in advance • Study habits • Quiet area • Study “buddy” • Set goals

6. Growth of the MA Profession • According to U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Statistics, medical assistants will hold 565,000 jobs by 2016; an increase of 35% from 2006 • 60% in physicians’ offices • 14 % in hospitals • Almost 10% in nursing homes and offices of other health-care practitioners • Remainder in outpatient care centers, laboratories, and other health-care-related services

7. Knowledge Base Needed • Administrative and clinical skills • Patient insurance product knowledge • Compliance: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

8. Knowledge Base Needed (cont.) • Provide exceptional customer service • Practice management • Current patient treatments and education

9. What are the key factors to your success as a student? Apply Your Knowledge ANSWER: Developing good organizational skills and good study habits, and setting goals. Good Job

10. American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) • Established: 1956 • Purpose of the organization is to raise the standard of medical assisting to a more professional level • 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

11. Importance of Medical Assistant Credentialing • Malpractice • Having credentialed personnel or staff will lessen the likelihood of legal challenges of the quality of care • Managed Care Organizations (MCO) • Place great importance on professional credentials for employees • Meet components of state and federal regulations

12. CMA(AAMA) credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the AAMA Certification examination evaluates mastery of medical assisting competencies Recertify every 5 years 60 contact hours 10 each in clinical, administration, general areas 30 additional hours in any area Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

13. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization • Credentials medical assistants as Registered Medical Assistants (RMA) • Education and experience requirements • High school diploma or equivalent • Graduation from an accredited program • Pass the AMT examination

14. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Organization (cont.) • Educational and practical requirements • High school graduate or acceptable equivalent • Graduate from accredited program • Pass the AMT exam • If certified after 2006, 30 contact hours of continuing education is required every three years to recertify

15. RMA(AMT)/CMA(AAMA) Examinations • General medical knowledge • Administrative knowledge • Clinical knowledge medications HIPAA Medical Records specimens Insurance Terminology

16. Medical Assistant Associations • Set standards for quality and performance • Define tasks and functions for an occupation • Provide opportunities for networking • Further the profession • Assist members to achieve career goals

17. CMA(AAMA) Member Benefits • Professional publications • Educational opportunities • Group insurance • Legal information • Networking • Legislative monitoring • Website: http://www.aama-ntl.org

18. RMA(AMT) Member Benefits • Professional publications • AMT Institute for Education • Group insurance programs • Legislature legal representation • Annual meetings and educational seminars • Student membership • Website: http://www.amt1.com

19. What are two reasons why credentialingis important? Apply Your Knowledge 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!

20. Apply Your Knowledge • List three things professional medical assistant associations do or provide. Correct • 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

21. Formal Training and Educational Programs • Vocational-technical high schools • Postsecondary vocational schools • Community and junior colleges • Four-year colleges and universities

22. Accreditation • The process by which programs are officially authorized • Two recognized entities for accrediting MA programs • The Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP ) • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) • Must meet minimum standards

23. Graduating from an Accredited Program • Greater career options • Completion of a program that meets national standards • Provides recognition of your education by professional peers • Makes you eligible for registration

24. Externships • Obtain practical work experience • Required by accredited programs • Duties will be planned to meet your program’s requirements

25. National Healthcare Association (NHA) • Established in 1989 as an information resource and network • Offers certification exams and continuing education • Services: • Continuing education • Program development • Education, career advancement, and networking • Registry of certified professionals

26. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) • Certifies the validity of competency and knowledge of the medical profession through examination • Designations: • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) • National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)

27. Volunteer Programs • Experience in a variety of settings • Practical experience • Help you make career decisions • Include on résumé

28. Multiskill Training • Reduces health care costs • Personnel are cross-trained for more than one position • Expands your career opportunities • Office manager • Certified Office Laboratory Technician • Medical lab technician • ECG technician • Medical biller • Hospital admission coordinator

29. Apply Your Knowledge What is the purpose of accreditation for medical assistant programs? List two advantages of multiskill training. ANSWER: Accreditation ensures that the program meets nationally accepted standards. ANSWER: Multiskill training reduces health care costs and expands your career opportunities. Great!

30. Daily Duties of a Medical Assistant • Duties will vary based on • Type and size of practice setting • Whether you are at entry level or advanced practice • Governed by state law • Advanced duties generally require additional training and certification.

31. Daily Duties – Administrative Examples • Entry level • Greet patients • Handle correspondence and answer telephone • Schedule appointments • Create and maintain patient medical records • Advanced • Develop and conduct public outreach programs • Participate in practice analysis

32. Daily Duties – Clinical Examples • Entry level • Assist the doctor during examination • Asepsis and infection control • Give medications and explain treatments to patients • Advanced • Initiate IVs and administer IV medications • Report diagnostic study results

33. Daily Duties – Laboratory Examples • Entry level • Perform Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) – waived tests • Collect, prepare, and transmit laboratory specimens • Teach patients to collect specimens • Advanced • Perform as Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) compliance officer • Perform moderately complex laboratory tests

34. Apply Your Knowledge True or False: Your duties will never vary. Advanced duties never require additional training. State laws regulate medical assistant practice. You must have the appropriate training to perform a procedure. Duties vary based on practice setting, state law, level of practice. F F Advanced duties require advanced training and certification. T T Kudos!

35. Personal Qualifications • Critical thinking skills • Attention to detail • Empathy • Willingness to learn • Flexibility • Self-motivation • Professionalism

36. Personal Qualifications (cont.) • Neat appearance • Uniform clean • Shoes • Hairstyle • Nails • Avoid acrylic nails • Jewelry • Tattoos • Piercings • Hygiene • Health

37. Personal Qualifications (cont.) • Attitude • Positive and caring • Respond to criticism as a learning experience • Take direction from authority without question • Function as a vital member of a medical team

38. Improve Your Attitude • If you can answer “yes” to any of these 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?

39. Personal Qualifications (cont.) • Integrity and honesty • Everything you do and every task you complete should be performed with a goal of excellence • These characteristics are key to providing superior customer service • You must be dependable and reliable • Your office staff and physician must be able to trust you and the decisions you make

40. Other Attributes • Diplomacy • Proper judgment • Communication skills • Remaining calm in a crisis • Willingness to work as a team member • Ethical behavior Continue Team Dynamics

41. Team Dynamics • Assist each other with required duties • Avoid interpersonal conflict with team members • Perform extra responsibilities without questioning or complaining • Be considerate of other team members’ duties and responsibilities

42. AAMA Occupational Analysis • Areas of competence for entry-level medical assistants • Provides the basis for medical assisting education and evaluation • Three areas of competence • Administrative • Clinical • General

43. Scope of Practice • No single definition of the Scope of Practice for medical assistants • Varies by state of employment • Resources • AAMA • AMT • AMAA Occupational Analysis

44. 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

45. 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!

46. In Summary 1.1 Responsibilities will vary from administrative to laboratory duties 1.2 Professional training includes formal training in a variety of educational settings 1.3 Personal characteristics include flexibility and good communication skills 1.4 Cross-training/being multiskilled is important for marketability

47. In Summary (cont.) 1.5 Continuing education keeps you abreast of changes in health-care and governmental regulations. 1.6 Certification and registration provide peer recognition and career advancement. 1.7 Professional membership affiliations provide networking opportunities.

48. End of Chapter 1 Participating in any aspect of healing is an awe-inspiring experience. —Carol Jackson, The Healer’s Art