The Role of a Medical Assistant in a Modern Medical Practice

Many physicians are unsure of what tasks are appropriate to assign to a Medical Assistant. It is important to remember Medical Assistants are not licensed to make independent medical assessments or give advice. Although many Medical Assistants may have advanced training in certain clinical areas it is ultimately the responsibility of the supervising physician or other licensed health care provider to assure that their staff and Medical Assistants working in the office are performing duties in compliance with all governing laws.

Physicians must determine the skill level and capabilities of each Medical Assistant they supervise and take into account liability risk and quality control when assigning them their responsibilities. Physicians should provide initial direct supervision and periodically assess the quality of their work. In practices with nurse managers, medical assistants can receive additional supervision coordinated to maximize workflow in a practice. Communicating the Medical Assistant roles to other staff and clearly delineating their responsibilities is important in maximizing the productivity of the health care team.

Although legal requirements addressing the Medical Assistant scope of practice vary by state, the Medical Assistant generally works under the license of their supervising physician or the managed care organization that employs them. To learn more about medical assisting scope of practice, contact Donald A. Balasa, Executive Director and Legal Counsel of the American Association of Medical Assistants, by e-mail at dbalasa@aama-ntl.org.

Below are some of the duties that a typical medical assistant may perform (it is important to check with local and state medical boards to determine what duties a medical assistant can legally perform. It is also important to remember that a medical assistant is not a physician, nurse, physican assistant or other licensed healh care provider, they must therefore always be supervised by the appropriate licensed health care provider, after all it is the medical practioner whos license is most at risk.) The role of a medical assistant may be split into both administrative and clinical tasks.

Typical Medical Assistant administrative tasks may include: Work in reception, answer telephone, schedule appointments, process medical billing, keep financial records, file medical charts, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, transcribe dictation, send letters and triage patients over the telephone using a protocol to determine the acuity of the visit and the visit-length for scheduling purposes.

The clicical tasks of a Medical Assistant vary greatly buy state and other local laws as well as the policies of a medical office or the health care setting were they are employed. Some of the supervised clinical tasks of a Medical Assistant may include: escorting the patient to exam room, carry out patient history interviews, take and record vital signs, prepare patient for examination, provide patient information/instructions, assist with medical examinations/surgical procedures, set up and clean exam rooms, maintain medical supply inventory, restock medical supplies in patient rooms, perform venipuncture (in certain states), administer immunizations (also only in certain states), collect and prepare laboratory specimens, notify patients of laboratory results after evaluation by a physician, schedule patient appointments, translate during medical interviews with non-English-speaking patients, give prevention reminders, instruct patients about medications or special diets, basic patine medical education, perform some basic laboratory tests, prepare medications as directed by the office physician, assist in performing ECGs.

Additional medical assistant duties may include: helping to develop educational materials, educate patients about procedures, negotiate managed care contracts, manage accounts payable, process payroll, document and maintain accounting and banking records, develop and maintain fees schedules, manage renewals of business and professional insurance policies, manage personnel benefits and maintain records, perform marketing, financial and strategic planning. Also, help develop and maintain personnel, policy and procedure materials, perform personnel management functions, negotiate leases and prices for equipment and supply contracts.

There are many lwas that govern the function of a medical assistant and other medical office staff members, so a Medical Assistant should never perform any duties or functions unless specifically instructed my their supervising physician or other licensed health care professions.

Although legal requirements addressing Medical Assistants scope of practice vary by state, Medical Assistant generally work under the license of their supervising physician or the managed care organization that employs them. If you have any questions about the legal role a medical assistant may play in your practice please contact your local state medical board for advise. Additional Medical Assistant training inforamtion information is available at St. Augustine Medical Assistant School: www.medassistant.org, which now offers online distance education training for Medical Assistants.

Dr.Mark Stout
Dean of Distance Education
St. Augustine Medical Assistant School
http://www.medassistant.org

---

Working Abroad - Employment Advice In Spain

Jobs and employment on the Costa BlancaThe Council of Europe... Read More

Career in the Toilet?

Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More

Keep Your Phone Costs Down!

When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More

The Springtime of Your Career

Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced... Read More

How to Terminate an Employee and Live to Tell the Tale

1. Employee Backdrop in AustraliaThe whole arena of Industrial Relations... Read More

What You Cant Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask

As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More

It Takes Time

The story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's... Read More

Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:Like it or not,... Read More

How To Write A Résumé

Figure out what you want to do.You can't write an... Read More

Career Killers to Avoid

Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Putting Your Attention on What You Dont Want!

If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More

Job Interviews: Ill File a Grievance!

I recently went to a retirement party with my husband... Read More

Finding Your Ideal Career

In the current climate, many people are looking away from... Read More

Career Search from Within

Seeking meaningful and fulfilling work can become a discouraging, confusing... Read More

Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers

In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More

Can You Actually Fail A Personality Quiz?

Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More

Employment Law: Unfair Dismissal - Employer Succeeded in Changing Terms of Employment

Good News for Employers wishing to change the terms of... Read More

Showing Appreciation to Workplace Un-Sung Heroes

Millions of Un-Sung Heroes are born every minute! They are... Read More

Writing Powerful Resumes ? 10 Golden Rules

Your resume is your sales letter. It may not get... Read More

Learn How To Succeed At Career Fairs

This career article will give you some great tips on... Read More

Career Success: Take Charge of Your Career

People react very differently to the waves of change that... Read More

Six Factors That Can Cost You the Interview/Job

Most job seekers know that an unprofessional appearance will count... Read More

8 ?Thurvival Skills? for 05

Just what is a "thurvival skill?" It's a skill that... Read More

Revitalize Your Recruiting for 2005

Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is... Read More

Medical Billing And Coding Profession

Medical billers and coders are in high demand among the... Read More

Aptitude Tests Reveal the Difference Between Your Aptitude & Ability

Aptitude tests measure your skills, abilities, values, interests and personality... Read More

Dazzle Interviewers With Your Achievements

Attention Job Seekers: Tasks and Responsibilities are BoooringHo hum. The... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your job? Stop Trying To Go It Alone!

Being dissatisfied with your job is a cycle, a very... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Accepting Judgment

Applying for work is stressful, no matter the circumstances. Even... Read More

Successful Job Search: Knocking Out The Competition

Most of the time, competition stimulates us, gets our juices... Read More

Making Sure You Get a Good Reference

You've had 3 interviews with a potential employer and they've... Read More

Culture Shock

Today we hear much talk of the 'global village'. People... Read More

Get Inspired About Your Career

Get Inspired about Your CareerDo you linger in bed long... Read More