Medical assistants are multiskilled health professionals specifically educated to work in a variety of healthcare settings performing clinical and administrative duties. The practice of medical assisting necessitates mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. Medical assistants are multiskilled health professionals specifically educated to work in a variety of healthcare settings performing clinical and administrative duties. The practice of medical assisting necessitates mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession.
Medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians and other licensed independent providers in their offices or other medical settings. Following respective state laws, they perform a broad range of clinical and administrative duties as a member of the healthcare delivery team. Clinical duties · Preparing and maintaining electronic medical records · Asepsis and infection control · Taking patient histories and vital signs · Performing first aid and CPR · Preparing patients for procedures · Assisting the physician with examinations and treatments · Collecting and processing specimens · Performing selected diagnostic tests · Preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician Administrative duties · Scheduling and receiving patients · Performing basic administrative skills · Handling telephone calls and writing correspondence · Serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals · Managing practice finances Both clinical and administrative duties involve the maintenance of equipment and supplies for the practice. A medical assistant who is sufficiently qualified by education may be responsible for supervising personnel, developing and conducting public outreach programs to market the physician’s professional services, and participating in the negotiation of leases and equipment and supply contracts. Medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians and other licensed independent providers in their offices or other medical settings. Following respective state laws, they perform a broad range of clinical and administrative duties as a member of the healthcare delivery team. Clinical duties · Preparing and maintaining electronic medical records · Asepsis and infection control · Taking patient histories and vital signs · Performing first aid and CPR · Preparing patients for procedures · Assisting the physician with examinations and treatments · Collecting and processing specimens · Performing selected diagnostic tests · Preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician Administrative duties · Scheduling and receiving patients · Performing basic administrative skills · Handling telephone calls and writing correspondence · Serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals · Managing practice finances Both clinical and administrative duties involve the maintenance of equipment and supplies for the practice. A medical assistant who is sufficiently qualified by education may be responsible for supervising personnel, developing and conducting public outreach programs to market the physician’s professional services, and participating in the negotiation of leases and equipment and supply contracts.
More medical assistants are employed by practicing physicians than any other type of allied health personnel. Medical assistants are usually employed in physicians’ offices and other ambulatory healthcare settings, where they perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to facilitate the work of the physician. The responsibilities of medical assistants vary, depending on whether they work in a clinic, hospital, large group practice, or small private office. With demand from more than 200,000 physicians, there are, and will probably continue to be, almost unlimited opportunities for formally educated medical assistants.
Length. Programs grant an associate's degree, certificate, or diploma. Prerequisites. A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. Curriculum. The curricula of accredited programs must ensure the achievement of the Entry-Level Competencies for the Medical Assistant. The curriculum must include anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, psychology, communications (oral and written), medical assisting administrative procedures, and medical assisting clinical procedures. Programs must include an externship that provides practical experience in qualified physicians’ offices, accredited hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. Length. Programs grant an associate's degree, certificate, or diploma. Prerequisites. A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. Curriculum. The curricula of accredited programs must ensure the achievement of the Entry-Level Competencies for the Medical Assistant. The curriculum must include anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, psychology, communications (oral and written), medical assisting administrative procedures, and medical assisting clinical procedures. Programs must include an externship that provides practical experience in qualified physicians’ offices, accredited hospitals, or other healthcare facilities.
CMA (AAMA) American Association of Medical Assistants 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606 Toll free: 800-228-2262 www.aama-ntl.org RMA (AMT) American Medical Technologists 10700 W. Higgins Road, Suite 150 Rosemont, IL 60018 847-823-5169 www.americanmedtech.org NCMA (NCCT) National Center for Competency Testing 7007 College Blvd., Suite 385 Overland Park, KS 66211 Toll Free: 800-875-4404 www.ncctinc.com CCMA (NHA) National Healthcareer Association 11161 Overbrook Road Leawood, KS 66211 Toll free: 800-499-9092 www.nhanow.com CMAC (AMCA) American Medical Certification Association 194 Route 46 East Fairfield, NJ 07044 Toll free: 888-960-2622 www.americanmedicalcertification.com CMA (AAMA) American Association of Medical Assistants 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606 Toll free: 800-228-2262 www.aama-ntl.org RMA (AMT) American Medical Technologists 10700 W. Higgins Road, Suite 150 Rosemont, IL 60018 847-823-5169 www.americanmedtech.org NCMA (NCCT) National Center for Competency Testing 7007 College Blvd., Suite 385 Overland Park, KS 66211 Toll Free: 800-875-4404 www.ncctinc.com CCMA (NHA) National Healthcareer Association 11161 Overbrook Road Leawood, KS 66211 Toll free: 800-499-9092 www.nhanow.com CMAC (AMCA) American Medical Certification Association 194 Route 46 East Fairfield, NJ 07044 Toll free: 888-960-2622 www.americanmedicalcertification.com
Before embarking on your allied health journey, delve into the essential requirements of your desired profession. Understanding the certification, registration, or licensure process will help you select the right education program and confidently pursue your career goals. The following organization(s) can assist you in becoming an allied health professional: American Association of Medical Assistants Department of Accreditation 20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606-2903 Phone:800-228-2262 Website: www.aama-ntl.org Before embarking on your allied health journey, delve into the essential requirements of your desired profession. Understanding the certification, registration, or licensure process will help you select the right education program and confidently pursue your career goals. The following organization(s) can assist you in becoming an allied health professional: American Association of Medical Assistants Department of Accreditation 20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606-2903 Phone:800-228-2262 Website: www.aama-ntl.org
CMA (AAMA) American Association of Medical Assistants 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575 Chicago, IL 60606 Toll free: 800-228-2262 www.aama-ntl.org RMA (AMT) American Medical Technologists 10700 W. Higgins Road, Suite 150 Rosemont, IL 60018 847-823-5169 www.americanmedtech.org NCMA (NCCT) National Center for Competency Testing 7007 College Blvd., Suite 385 Overland Park, KS 66211 Toll Free: 800-875-4404 www.ncctinc.com CCMA (NHA) National Healthcareer Association 11161 Overbrook Road Leawood, KS 66211 Toll free: 800-499-9092 www.nhanow.com CMAC (AMCA) American Medical Certification Association 194 Route 46 East Fairfield, NJ 07044 Toll free: 888-960-2622 www.americanmedicalcertification.com
