Text Chapter 1 Notes

medical assistants work mainly at

outpatient or ambulatory care facilities

There is a demand for medical assistants trained in

EHR electronic health records software

clinical skills and responsibilities

assisting during physical exams

performing patient screening procedures

assisting with minor surgical procedures, including sterilization procedures

performing ECGs

obtaining and recording vital signs and medical histories

performing phlebotomy

performing tests permitted by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (ie CLIA-waived tests)

collecting and managing laboratory specimens

following Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA regulations on infection control

administering vaccines and medications as ordered by the provider

performing patient education and coaching initiatives within the scope of practice

documenting accurately in a paper record or an EHR

performing first aid procedures as needed

performing infection control procedures

applying therapeutic communication techniques

adapting to the special needs of a patient based on his or her developmental life stage, cultural diversity, and individual communication barriers

acting as a patient advocate or navigator, including referring patients to community resources

acting within legal and ethical boundaries

when working as a clinical medical assistant, your role is

to aid both the provider and patient

ensure patient is getting the best possible care

administrative skills and responsibilities

answering telephones

managing patient scheduling

creating and maintaining patient health records

documenting accurately in a paper record and an EHR

performing routine maintenance of facility equipment

performing basic practice finance procedures

coordinating third-party reimbursement

performing procedural and diagnostic coding

communicating professionally with patients, family members, practitioners, peers, and the public

managing facility correspondence

performing patient education and coaching initiatives within the scope of practice

following legal and ethical principles

complying with facility safety practices

when working as an administrative medical assistant, you also

support both the provider and the patient

ensure that patient gets an appointment when needed and that the provider is paid appropriately for the services provided

medical assistants can also be

a scribe

medical assistant characteristics

professionalism

courtesy and respect

empathy and compassion

tact and diplomacy

respect for individual diversity

honesty, dependability, and responsibility

professional appearance

a healthcare professional

has high ethical standards

displays integrity

completes work accurately and in a timely fashion

how can a medical assistant treat patients with courtesy and respect

make patients feel welcome and respected- pleasant greeting and eye contact, thanking patients for visiting

display positive nonverbal behaviors

calm tone of voice, provide privacy for patients

learn about other cultures in your area

use proper grammar without slang words

explain medical treatments and conditions in simple lay language

how can medical assistants use tact and diplomacy when communicating with other people

consistently be polite and honest

show sensitivity to others

recognize the needs and rights of others

attempt to reach a mutually beneficial resolution to the problem

assess your personal response to the situation- your personal beliefs and biases should not prevent you from interacting diplomatically and tactfully with others

how can medical assistants be honest, dependable and responsible

be honest and straightforward when interacting with others

accept responsibility for your mistakes and determine how to prevent them in the future

follow through on your promises

complete your work to the best of your abilities and complete it on time

be self-motivated and do not wait to be asked to complete a task

embrace change

2 principles to guide the actions of medical assistants

scope of practice

standards of care

for medical assistants in states that have scope of practice laws

must adhere to the identified roles specified in the law

tasks outside of the scope of practice for medical assistants

performing telephone or in-person triage- not authorized to assess or diagnose symptoms

prescribing medications or making recommendations about over-the-counter drugs and remedies

giving out drug samples without provider permission

automatically submitting refill prescription requests without provider orders

analyzing or interpreting test results

operating laser equipment

performing lab tests that are not CLIA-waived

scheduling diagnostic or radiographic tests/procedures without provider’s orders