A Medical Assistant is an allied health professional supporting the work of doctors and other health professionals, usually in a clinical setting. Medical assistants also referred to as "Clinical Assistants" can be certified through an accredited program normally offered through junior or community colleges. They perform routine tasks and procedures such as measuring the patient's vital signs, administering medications and injections, recording information in the medical recording system, preparing and handling medical equipment and equipment, and collecting and preparing specimens of body fluids and tissues for laboratory testing.
The term "medical assistant" may have legal status in jurisdictions where they may be certified or registered, whereas elsewhere they may be a loosely defined group (including related job titles such as' medical office assistants', 'clinical assistants',' assistants medical officer ', or' eye assistant '). The occupation should not be confused with a physician assistant, a licensed professional who is trained to practice medicine and perform surgical procedures in cooperation with doctors.
In military settings, jobs that provide primary medical care can be done with the same title, while other jobs may have different degrees with similar responsibilities, such as Medical Assistants in the Royal Navy United Kingdom or Hospital Corps in the US Navy.
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Medical assistants perform routine clinical and administrative duties under the direct supervision of a physician or other health care professional. Medical assistants perform many administrative tasks, including answering the phone, greeting patients, updating and filling patient medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging hospital admissions and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Tasks vary according to the laws of jurisdiction and may include taking medical history and vital record records, explaining patient care procedures, preparing patients for examination, and assisting during diagnostic examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests in place, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical equipment. They instruct the patient on special medicines and diets, prepare and administer the drug as directed, authorize refills of the drug as directed, prescribe the phone to the pharmacy, collect blood, prepare the patient for X-rays, take electrocardiogram, remove stitches, and replace pads. They also facilitate communication between patients and other health care professionals.
Some jurisdictions allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections or taking X rays, after passing a test or taking a course.
According to the International Standard Classification of Employment, medical assistants usually require formal training in the provision of health services for competent performance in their work. Formal education usually occurs in secondary postal institutions such as vocational schools, technical institutions, colleges, exclusive colleges, online education programs or junior colleges. The medical assistant training program most often leads to a certificate or diploma, which takes about a year to complete, or an associate degree, which takes about two years. Topics of study include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and the program may include a clinical internship where students work as medical assistants in medical clinics.
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Canada
In Canada, medical assistants usually complete an educational program that prepares them to perform assistant and special secretarial duties for doctors, dentists, nurses, health care facilities, and other health care providers. Instructional programs include courses in business and medical communications, medical terminology, health care operations principles, public relations and interpersonal communication, software applications, recording and filing systems, scheduling and meeting planning, policies and regulations, as well as standards and ethics professional.
The responsibilities of the medical assistant job vary depending on the nature and size of the health care facility in which the individual works, but usually involves some administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, handling personal medical documents, and assisting patients with the admissions process.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Medical Assistant is known as a Medical Officer Assistant (AMO). They complete a three-and-a-half year Diploma program in the Medical Assistant Diploma (DMA) recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. They work independently or with limited medical supervision to provide health services for the majority of the underserved population. Occupation is more similar to clinical officers in Tanzania and elsewhere.
United States
In the United States, medical assistants have traditionally had jobs almost exclusively in outpatient care centers, urgent care facilities, and clinics, but these are now changing. Medical assistants now find employment in both private and public hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as assisted living facilities, Administrative and Clinical settings, or general practice and the office of Specialist Doctors. According to the US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, the work of medical assistants is expected to grow 29%, much faster than the average for all jobs up to 2022.
Education and training
The New America Foundation has criticized the program of medical assistants, especially those run by profitable schools like Kaplan and Everest Institute. Many school graduates can not find full-time jobs, or can not find a job at all, can not earn enough to repay their loans, and fail. According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for medical assistants in 2011 was $ 29,100, but students with medical assistant certificates typically receive less than $ 20,000. In some programs, graduates earn less than $ 15,080, minimum wage, which means they work part-time. For example, Drake College of Business, Elizabeth, NJ, charges $ 18,000, but 31% of graduate loans fail. Some community colleges have successful programs where graduates generate more than $ 25,000 per year.
In the US, institutional medical programs can be accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Health Education Program of the Allies (CAAHEP) or the Bureau of Health Education School Accreditation (ABHES) if the graduate is planning to become certified or enrolled. Accreditation is a requirement of certification bodies such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the National Health Career Association (NHA). Currently there are more than 600 CAAHEP accredited programs in can from 500 institutions, and more than 200 are accredited by ABHES. Accreditation by CAAHEP, ABHES or other accrediting associations requires that the institutional medical assistance program meets special educational standards and provides adequate classes, lectures, and laboratory time.
Certification
Professional certification is a way of measuring the competence of medical assistants at entry-level jobs. Certification for medical assistants is voluntary and optional, although encouraged by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and a number of other certification bodies. Employers are increasingly choosing or even requiring their paid medical assistant to be certified.
In the United States, various organizations certify medical assistants. For one, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) was established in 1956. Certification can be achieved by following the CMA Certification Exam (AAMA) offered by the AAMA Certification Board in consultation with the National Medical Examination Agency, which also administers many national examinations for physicians. The CMA (AAMA) exam is offered year-round at computer-based testing centers across the country. Only individuals who have successfully completed the CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assistance program are eligible for the CMA Certification Exam (AAMA). Those who successfully complete the CMA Certification Exam (AAMA) get the CMA (AAMA) credentials, a degree that then follows the postnominal. CMA (AAMA) must re-certify every 60 months by continuing education or re-examination to maintain certification.
Other credential options include being a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). Credentials are voluntary. The American Medical Technologists (AMT) agent is responsible for the MA certification that chooses this course. AMT first began offering this certification in 1972. AMT has its own conventions and committees, regulations, country chapters, officers, registrations, and validation checks. In order to qualify for an RMA degree, a student must pass a medical assistance curriculum at a school accredited by the National Commission for Certification Institute (NCCA), or have at least 5 years of experience.
The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) is an independent credential organization that has hosted over 400,000 certification exams throughout the United States since 1989. The National Certified Medical Assisted Certification program has been accredited by the National Commission for Certification Bodies (NCCA). Candidates who meet all the medical assistant eligibility requirements and pass NCCT national certification exam get NCMA credential (NCCT). NCCT receives a candidate from an approved medical assistant program at a college/university and provides a qualification course based on additional experience. Once certified, NCMA (NCCT) must complete 14 hours of continuous education each year to maintain credentials. NCMA Handbook The NCCT also certifies medical office assistants, ECG technicians, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, insurance and coding specialists, and surgeon technologists.
See also
- Medical Assistant Officer
- Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)
- Hospital Corps
References
External links
- US. Kerjahuehrytuno Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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