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What are the duties of a medical assistant?
A Medical Assistant’s Role is Both Clinical & Administrative The role of a medical assistant is to act as both a healthcare professional and administrator performing both clinical duties while also managing administrative tasks in a variety of medical offices, clinics, labs, and other healthcare settings.. In addition to the more general clinical and administrative roles of medical ...
What is the job description of a medical assistant?
Medical assistants often are called upon to help doctors by performing medical procedures including drawing blood, taking electrocardiograms, removing sutures, changing dressings and preparing and administering medications. This is important work that makes a significant difference to both the doctor and the patient.
What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?
Here is a quick overview (duties vary from medical practice to medical practice depending on location, size, specialty, and state law): Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to): Taking medical histories; Explaining treatment procedures to patients; Preparing patients for examinations; Assisting the physician during examinations; Collecting and preparing …
What should a medical assistant know?
Jan 06, 2019 · Medical assistants process samples. They pack and ship samples to their appropriate destination. Preparing Patients Preparing patients is another duty performed by a MA. They get the patient ready for testing, treatment and procedures that the doctor may perform. Medical assistants expose any affected areas by removing bandages or clothing.
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A medical assistant (MA) can be a versatile and valuable addition to your office practice. If used effectively, an MA can improve workflow, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce physician burnout. An MA can manage front-office functions and handle some clinical duties.
Gathering important information
Medical assistants are often among the first people you meet when you arrive at a hospital or clinic. They greet you in the exam room, take your vitals and begin a conversation about your health. Everything medical assistants do is designed to help other members of the team do their jobs.
Helping patients understand their conditions
Healthcare can be overwhelming--especially when you are the patient. One of the key roles medical assistants play is to help patients understand their conditions, treatment procedures and medicine.
Performing medical procedures
Doctors are busy people, so the more help they can get, the better. Medical assistants often are called upon to help doctors by performing medical procedures including drawing blood, taking electrocardiograms, removing sutures, changing dressings and preparing and administering medications.
Keeping the office running
Medical assistants play a key role in helping hospitals and clinics function efficiently and effectively--and this often starts in the front office.
Become a Medical Assistant and Be at the Cutting Edge of Technology and Medicine
Yes, medical assistants work at the cutting edge of technology and in an industry that is growing. They work as part of teams that improve the lives of people across the country on a daily basis. Their jobs are interesting, fast-paced and important.
What are the duties of a medical assistant?
Administrative Duties (may include, but not limited to): 1 Using computer applications 2 Answering telephones 3 Welcoming patients 4 Updating and filing patient medical records 5 Coding and filling out insurance forms 6 Scheduling appointments 7 Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services 8 Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping
What is the AAMA certification?
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers certification to graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
What are the tasks of a medical assistant?
While any organization will develop its own list of tasks and responsibilities that are included in their medical assistants’ job description, common medical assistant jobs are included on the list below: Act as a physician’s secretary. Administer oral and inject-able medications.
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants are unlicensed caregivers who work primarily in doctors’ offices and clinics, although they may also work in hospitals in some states. Each state determines what a medical assistant is allowed to do, so their tasks may vary from one state to another.
What is a medical director?
Their medical director assigns MA duties. A medical director is a physician under whom the medical assistants work. MA help the doctor’s office run efficiently. Typically, they work in both the front and back areas of the doctor’s office. Medical assistants are unlicensed caregivers who work primarily in doctors’ offices and clinics, ...
How does a medical assistant obtain a medical history?
A medical assistant obtains a medical history by asking patients questions about their medical conditions, medications and allergies. The MA records any findings into the patient charts and alerts the physician of the results.
What is a MA protocol?
1. A doctor will tell the MA which tests to perform on each patient. A MA follows protocols that explain in detail how each test is to be performed. Protocols are typically written by the doctor.
What is the job of a front office?
Front office duties for a MA include clerical duties such as filing and answering phones and scheduling appointments. They also greet patients and obtain their personal information such as address and insurance information. A MA compiles patient charts and files them appropriately.
Who is Rachel Dennis?
Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.
What is the role of a medical assistant?
The role of a medical assistant involves educating patients in general office information, promotion of health and wellness, injury prevention, and presurgical education. Educated patients want to be involved in treatment decisions, and by involving them, patients are more amenable to following a treatment plan.
How can a medical assistant help patients?
Medical assistants can help promote health and wellness of their patients through education that focuses on healthy habits, protection from injury, and preventative measures to decrease the risk of disease or illness. Patient education in the physician’s office should help patients to achieve these goals.
Why is it important to have a medical assistant before surgery?
It is important for a medical assistant to properly educate a patient prior to surgery to reduce risks, prepare the patient, and create a positive outcome after surgery. This education involves preparation for the surgery and postoperative care after the surgery.
What are the different forms of patient education?
Patient Education Techniques. Education and instruction can come in many forms including verbal, written, and demonstrative. There are different domains of learning when it comes to educating patients in a medical office, including factual, sensory, and participatory. Using a combination of all three forms of learning can help patients get ...
Why is electronic health records important?
Also, the use of electronic health records helps create, revise, and deliver the educational materials directly to the patient. Information that is used to educate patients should focus on what the patient needs to know and why.
What are preventative measures?
Preventative Measures – Patients need to know that they can reduce the risk of contracting certain illnesses and diseases by taking preventative measures. Preventative measures include health promoting behavior, screenings, and rehabilitation.
What is the goal of rehabilitation?
The goal of rehabilitation is to maintain functionality and avoid further disability.
What is the role of a medical assistant?
If used effectively, an MA can improve workflow, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce physician burnout. An MA can manage front-office functions and handle some clinical duties.
How does MA work?
If used effectively, an MA can improve workflow, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce physician burnout. An MA can manage front-office functions and handle some clinical duties. However, relying on an MA to perform tasks outside the scope of practice can place both you and your patients at risk. Over-delegation of tasks can compromise patient ...
What is the MA?
The MA can convey basic clinical information on behalf of the physician and follow established clinical protocols when speaking with patients when the information conveyed does not require independent medical judgment, assessment, or advice from the MA.
What does "nurse" mean?
The term nurse implies advanced education and licensure and, if used inappropriately, could result in professional board investigations and prosecution. All staff members should wear nametags that designate their professional titles, and MAs should be instructed to correct patients who refer to them as “nurse.”.
What does a medical assistant do?
In addition to performing clinical duties such as drawing blood, taking vital signs and recording medical history, a medical assistant also helps set appointments, organizes hospital admissions and lab services, and supervises the patient’s insurance information.
What is the best way to treat breast cancer?
Early detection and diagnosis, as well as a well-thought-out treatment plan, are crucial for a positive outcome. A medical team of oncologists and other specialists can treat the physical issues associated with breast cancer, but other elements of patient care need to be considered.
How many women die from breast cancer each year?
Each year, approximately 266,120 new cases are diagnosed, and 40,920 women die of the disease. These figures are staggering.
How to help a cancer patient relax?
Make the patient feel important, and show genuine concern. Inject humor into the conversation. Cancer is bad news, but sometimes just lightening the mood with a joke or funny anecdote can help the patient relax. Show empathy and compassion.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care helps relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. A medical assistant who works in a palliative care facility ...
What are the requirements for MTI?
An MTI education prepares you for a career in medical assistance with comprehensive training in administrative, clinical and laboratory procedures. You’ll learn: 1 Medical terminology 2 Anatomy and physiology 3 Pharmacology 4 Medical protocol and procedures in clinics and laboratories 5 Front-office practices, including coding and billing procedures 6 Patient relations 7 Medical law and ethics
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants, also known as MA, are trained medical professionals who work closely with patients, doctors and other health care providers. They go through training programs that prepare them with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the many duties in which medical assistants are responsible. After the successful completion of an ...
What is an ophthalmic medical assistant?
An ophthalmic medical assistant is a trained medical assistant who chose to specialize in ophthalmology. Ophthalmology is a specialized branch of medicine that primarily deals with the anatomy, physiology, diseases and injuries associated with the eye.
How long does it take to become an ophthalmic medical assistant?
Two-year programs often allow the participant to graduate with an associate degree. After the completion of the traditional MA training program, those wishing to pursue a career specializing as an ophthalmic medical assistant may be required to go through additional training and education pertaining to ophthalmology.
What is an ophthalmic MA?
Ophthalmic MA help ophthalmologists during eye surgery and procedures. They apply and remove bandages covering the eyes. Ophthalmic medical assistants assure the physicians have what they need to examine and treat their patients by stocking exam and procedure rooms with supplies and equipment.
Who is Rachel Dennis?
Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.
Orthopedic Medical Assistant Job Description Example
Here is an example of an orthopedic medical assistant’s job description, detailing the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that make up their daily activities at work.
Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities – for the Post of Orthopedic Medical Assistant
Here is a list of commonly required skills, knowledge, and abilities by employers when screening candidates for the job of medical assistant to orthopedists:
Patient Education Techniques
Patient Educational Materials
- The educational materials that a medical assistant will use to educate patients and their families can be either printed or virtual. Examples of educational materials include brochures, visual representations of a patient performing a task or doing some form of stretching, videos hosted on the physician’s website or located on YouTube, and patient resources provided by different medi…
The Patient Information Packet
- During the first visit to a physician’s office, a medical assistant will typically educate the patient about the practices and policies of the office. By distributing an information packet, the patient will develop a level of trust with the practice and staff. Some of the administrative matters that the patient information packet will explain inclu...
Promoting Health and Wellness
- Medical assistants can help promote health and wellness of their patients through education that focuses on healthy habits, protection from injury, and preventative measures to decrease the risk of disease or illness. Patient education in the physician’s office should help patients to achieve these goals. Healthy Habits– The medical assistant, with order and guidance from the physician…
Patient Education Prior to Surgery
- It is important for a medical assistant to properly educate a patient prior to surgery to reduce risks, prepare the patient, and create a positive outcome after surgery. This education involves preparation for the surgery and postoperative care after the surgery. Properly educating a patient prior to surgery can also release the physician’s office from legal liability. Part of the education p…