C H A P T E R 2 2 The Medical Assistant. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of...

C H A P T E RC H A P T E R

22 The Medical Assistant

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Training, Job Responsibilities, and

Employment Opportunities11U N I TU N I T


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Employment Statistics

Medical assisting is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the health services industry.

In 2002, there were 330,000 employed medical assistants.

The median salary in 2002 was $23,940.


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Employment Opportunities

Demand for medical assistants has increased due to two factors:

1. Americans are now living longer than ever before.

2. Technology in the medical field is rapidly evolving.


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Schools That Offer Training Programs

Training can be offered in public high schools.

Vocational programs can be offered to adults at technical and community colleges.

Private proprietary schools also offer training.


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Length of Training

Most programs lead to a certificate of completion or diploma and are usually 1 year or less in length.

An associate’s degree requires 2 years of course work and includes subject areas that complement the curriculum.


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The Purpose of the Role Delineation Study

The role delineation study identifies the areas of practice and competencies required for the occupation of medical assistant.

The role delineation study represents many areas of practice, geographic locations, and a variety of backgrounds.


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Ten Areas of Competence

Ten areas of competence are deemed necessary by the AAMA for the entry-level practice of medical assisting, in three broad areas of practice:

Administrative Clinical General (transdisciplinary)


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Understanding Career Laddering

Career laddering refers to other occupations a medical assistant might be employed in based on interest, training, and experience.

Besides advancement to an office management position in a physician’s office or clinic, hospitals employ medical assistants in many areas.


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Hospital Employment

Unit or medical secretary Admissions clerk Medical records clerk Phlebotomist Electrocardiogram (ECG) technician


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Fastest Growing Health Occupations

Home health aides Medical assistants Physician assistants Physical therapist assistants Dental assistants Personal and home care aides

(continued)


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Fastest Growing Health Occupations

Physical therapists Diagnostic medical sonographers Physical therapist aides Occupational therapist assistants Occupational therapists


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Unit Summary

What are some administrative duties of a medical assistant?

What are some clinical duties of a medical assistant?

What does career laddering mean?


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Personal Characteristics22

U N I TU N I T


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Character Traits

Your ability to work well with your employer, supervisors, and coworkers, and your effectiveness in dealing with patients, is greatly influenced by your personal characteristics.

Carefully identify how the following characteristics can help you become successful.


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Highly Desirable Character Traits to Develop

Accurate Adaptable Conservative Courteous Dependable Confidentiality Empathy Enthusiasm

Honest Initiative Patience Perseverance Punctuality Reliable Respectful Self-control


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The Trait of Tact

Tact is the skill involved in saying or doing the right thing at the right time.

Tact is a trait that may not be easy to acquire because we often respond to actions and statements before we think.


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Personality Qualities

Personality qualities affect the way character traits are perceived by others.


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Five Desirable Personality Qualities

1. Friendly attitude and genuinely liking people

2. Intelligence3. Pleasant personality4. Pleasant voice5. Genuine smile


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Developing a Pleasant Voice

Control your pitch. A voice that is neither too high nor too low sounds just right.

Make yourself heard by controlling the force or volume of your voice.

Pronouncing your words clearly improves the quality of your voice.

Adjust the speed of your speech to improve understanding by the patient.


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Perception Begins with Your Appearance

Strive to appear neat and well groomed. A neat appearance gives the impression

that one is competent and capable of doing whatever needs to be done.


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Nine Things That Contribute to a Professional Appearance

1. Attention to good body and oral hygiene2. Clean hands with well-manicured nails3. Hair that is clean and out of the face4. Uniforms that are clean, free from stains,

and fit properly

(continued)


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Nine Things That Contribute to a Professional Appearance

5. Minimal jewelry, such as a watch or wedding ring

6. Fragrances that are light and not offensive

7. Cosmetics that are tasteful and skillfully applied

8. Avoid chewing gum.9. Stand up straight.


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Unit Summary

Name some behaviors that would be considered unprofessional.

Why does your appearance matter?


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Professionalism33U N I TU N I T


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The Origin of Medical Assisting

Medical care now requires accurate and comprehensive medical records, and documentation is a must.

Medical schools offer little or no background in managing the business of medicine so physicians must employ skilled medical assistants to ensure a successful practice.


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The Definition of Medical Assisting

According to the AAMA and AMT, a medical assistant was defined in 1991 as:

Multiskilled allied health professionals that work primarily in medical offices and clinics and function as members of the health care team as they perform administrative and clinical procedures


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The History of the AAMA

The AAMA is the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Maxine Williams is the founder and first president of the AAMA.

October, 1956: Physicians and advisors of the American Medical Association met with 250 members of medical assistant societies from 16 states and founded the AAMA.


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Purpose of the AAMA

The primary purpose is to raise the standards of the medical assistant to a professional level.

Physicians were also aware that they needed professionals to assist in office duties for which nurses were not trained.

The AAMA also wanted to instill the desire in medical assistants to carry the profession into the future.


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Logo of the AAMA

The national emblem was adopted in 1958. The current logo was adopted in 1978.


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The Significance of the Current Logo

Represent the formal recognition of medical assisting as an allied health profession by the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

Education programs are now eligible for federal funding by the Bureau of Health Manpower


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Three Levels of AAMA Membership

1. Local level Value comes from invitations sent by local

chapters to special events and continuing education seminars

2. State level Value comes from state publications that

contain calendars, educational articles, and special offers for continuing education, as well as a calendar of events

(continued)


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Three Levels of AAMA Membership

3. National level Value comes from the bimonthly magazine

that includes educational articles, latest state and federal legislative news, educational program announcements, and articles that offer continuing education units


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Becoming Certified and Joining the AAMA

AAMA certification requires the medical assistant to graduate from an approved training program and pass a national exam that is offered twice a year.

AAMA certification is valid for 5 years.


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Guidelines to Recertification

Recertification reinforces the validity of the certified medical assistant (CMA) credential.

The CMA can recertify in two ways:1. Earn 60 continuing education units that meet

the point distribution as outlined by the AAMA.

2. The CMA can recertify by retaking the national exam every 5 years.


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The Importance of Continuing Education Units

Continuing education units offer the most current knowledge of administrative, clinical, and general medical information to the participants.

This knowledge reinforces the validity of the CMA to the physician and other health care professionals.


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American Medical Technologists (AMT)

In 1976, the AMT organized a nationally recognized body to address the needs of medical assistants.

Awards the registered medical assistant (RMA) and certified medical administrative specialist credentials (CMAS)

Awards other healthcare credentials


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Logo of the AMT


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How to Become Registered

Complete an approved training program. Graduates from other medical assisting

programs can also apply after they have been employed in the medical field full time for 1 year or part time for 2 years.

Everyone is required to pass the national registry exam.


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Benefits of Being Registered

Receive representation at state and local levels by council members elected by the national board

Phlebotomists, medical lab assistants, and medical lab technicians can also apply to become registered.


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National Healthcareer Association

Established in 1989 Provides products and services to health

care professionals, including continuing education, program development, career and networking services

Administers 14 exams, including: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

(CMAA)


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The Advantages of Membership in Professional Organizations

Membership demonstrates professionalism and impresses employers.

Membership also shows initiative and a desire to improve your skills and provide quality patient care.


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Unit Summary

What is the value of credentials? What are some advantages of joining a

professional organization?


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Keys to Career Success

This chapter describes the right combination of personal characteristics and practical skill, which allows you to be in demand as a medical assistant.

Your professionalism is a key component to a satisfying working experience.


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Hot Links to Career Success

www.aama-ntl.org The American Association of Medical

Assistants www.amt1.com

American Medical Technologists www.nhanow.com

National Healthcareer Association

http://www.aama-ntl.org/

http://www.amt1.com/

http://www.nhanow.com/

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C H A P T E R 2 2 The Medical Assistant. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of...

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