Lecture Medical assisting: Administrative and clinical procedures with anatomy and physiology (4e) – Chapter 1

CHAPTER

1

The Profession of
Medical Assisting

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1-2

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.

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1-3

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.

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Introduction
• Fast-growing
occupation
• Generalist

• Medical assistant
– 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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1-5

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

• Set goals

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1-6

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

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Knowledge Base Needed

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

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1-9

Apply Your Knowledge
What are the key factors to your success as a
student?

ANSWER: Developing good organizational skills and
good study habits, and setting goals.

Good
Job

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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

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1-11

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

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1-12

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• 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

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1-13

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
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1-14

American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Organization (cont.)

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1-15

RMA(AMT)/CMA(AAMA) Examinations
• General medical knowledge
• Administrative
knowledge
• Clinical knowledge

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1-16

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

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1-17

CMA(AAMA) Member Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Professional publications
Educational opportunities
Group insurance
Legal information

Networking
Legislative monitoring
Website:

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RMA(AMT) Member Benefits
•
•
•
•
•

Professional publications
AMT Institute for Education
Group insurance programs
Legislature legal representation
Annual meetings and educational
seminars
• Student membership
• Website:
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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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Formal Training and Educational
Programs
• Vocational-technical high schools
• Postsecondary vocational schools
• Community and junior colleges
• Four-year colleges and universities

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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
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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

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

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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

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