Medical assistants are an integral part of a health-care delivery team. It is important to recognize the many different physician specialists and allied health professions. Medical assistants are often asked to call and process insurance referrals to different specialties and diagnostic departments. Therefore, a working knowledge of the different specialties and allied health professionals demonstrates professionalism and competence.

Outline

• Medical Specialties
• Working With Other Allied Health Professionals
• Specialty Career Options
• Professional Associations

Learning Outcomes

After completing Chapter 2, you will be able to:   
2.1 Describe medical specialties and specialists.
 2.2 Explain the purpose of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
 2.3 Describe the duties of several types of allied health professionals with whom medical assistants may work.
 2.4 Name professional associations that may help advance a medical assistant's career.

Summary

There are many medical settings in which you can serve as a medical assistant. Some settings will be in specialized branches of medicine. It is important to gain an under-standing of the major areas of medicine, as well as the various subspecialties, in order to choose and plan for the type of setting in which you would like to work.

Learning about various allied health professionals— such as pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and medical transcriptionists—will help you interact with others on the job. Learning about specialty career options—such as physical therapy assistants, certified laboratory assistants, and ophthalmic assistants—can give you ideas about integrating new skills into your job as a multiskilled health professional.

Joining a professional organization will enable you to stay informed about issues and activities in the medical assisting field and the specialty or subspecialty in which you work. Professional organizations also provide other benefits to members, such as group health insurance; job networking opportunities; state or chapter meetings, seminars, workshops, and guest presentations; and member discounts. Membership in a professional organization helps you be recognized as a professional. Therefore, it is an important addition to your résumé.