Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in allied health care today. Health care is changing at a rapid rate, from advanced technology to implementing cost-effective medicine while maintaining quality patient care. The medical assistant is the perfect complement to this changing industry. Employers are looking for health care professionals who are "generalists." A generalist is someone who is trained in all departments in the facility in which he or she is employed. Medical assistants who graduate from an accredited institution will gain the skills that enable them to multitask. A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in the administrative areas, the clinical areas, and the financial areas. Employers are seeking credentialed health care professionals who are dedicated to the profession and the patient.

This chapter will introduce the professional standards that are required in medical assisting.

Outline

• Growth of the Medical Assisting Profession
• Medical Assistant Credentials
• Membership in a Medical Assisting Association
• Training Programs and Other Learning Opportunities
• Accreditation
• Daily Duties of Medical Assistants
• Personal Qualifications of Medical Assistants
• The AAMA Role Delineation Study

Learning Outcomes

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

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.
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.

Summary

There are many kinds of on-the-job training, training pro-grams, and careers for medical assistants. As you make the decision to become a medical assistant, you must evaluate your skills and the type of position you would like to obtain. An important goal will be to obtain a real-life view of the medical assistant’s daily administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties. These skills and duties are outlined under the areas of competence listed in the AAMA Role Delineation Chart.

You must also research how to obtain on-the-job training or choose a training program that will adequately teach you those skills, how to conduct a job search, and whether or not to become a certified or registered medical assistant, and take advantage of the benefits of membership in medical assisting organizations such as the AAMA.

Additionally, you must be aware that the medical assisting profession will continue to change. You will need to stay abreast of changes in technology, procedures, and local, state, and federal regulations governing the way you perform daily duties.

Review of Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome 1.1 Medical assisting job responsibilities can be administrative or clinical. Examples of administrative responsibilities include but are not limited to creating and maintaining patient medical records, scheduling, answering telephones, and medical billing. Clinical responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting the physician during an exam and specimen collection.

Learning Outcome 1.2 Formal programs in medical assisting are offered in a variety of settings. They include vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community/junior colleges. A medical assisting student can earn a certificate or diploma or an associate degree in medical assisting.

Learning Outcome 1.3 A medical assistant’s personal skills or “soft skills” are just as important as technical skills. Personal skills include critical thinking, attention to detail, empathy, initiative, flexibility, professionalism, attitude, integrity, diplomacy, communication skills, and good judgment.

Learning Outcome 1.4 A multiskilled health professional is a cross-trained team member who can perform many tasks, such as administrative and clinical duties.

Learning Outcome 1.5 Continuing education provides a medical assistant with the opportunity to keep his or her skills and knowledge base current and up-to-date with modern medical advances.

Learning Outcome 1.6 Certification and registration eligibility require that a medical assisting student graduates from an accredited program that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and medical affiliates. Many employers request that medical assisting applicants are credentialed. Credentialing measures nationally standardized skill competencies.

Learning Outcome 1.7 Affiliation with a professional organization offers many benefits, including opportunities for continuing education, group insurance, networking opportunities, and legal counsel.