Chapter 1- Med/med assit (CERT)

Accreditation

A nongovernmental professional peer review process that provides technical assistance and evaluates educational programs for quality based on pre- established academic and administrative standards.

Administrative

Pertaining to administration (e.g., office procedures and nonclinical tasks that a medical assistant will perform).

Certification

A process by which a professional organization or other nongovernmental agency validates that an individual has met established requirements and is competent to perform a specific job.

Clinical

Pertaining to direct patient care (e.g., nonadministrative tasks that a medical assistant will perform).

Concierge medicine

Relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer.

Continuing education units (CEUs)

Educational credits awarded for participation in continuing education activities that help health care professionals maintain and improve their knowledge and skills.

Inpatient

A medical setting in which patients are admitted for diagnostic, radiographic, or treatment purposes.

Laboratory

A place where research, investigation, or scientific testing takes place.

Medical Assistant

A multiskilled health professional who performs a variety of clinical and administrative tasks in a medical setting.

Multidisciplinary

Involving many disciplines; a group of health care professionals from various specialties brought together to meet the patient’s needs.

Multiskilled health professional

A health care professional who is trained and qualified to perform a variety of clinical and administrative duties.

Outpatient

A medical setting in which patients receive care but are not admitted.

Patient-centered medical home (PCMH)

A model of health care that provides comprehensive, coordinated, accessible, and patient-centered care through a team of health care professionals. (Reffered)

Practicum

An educational course that allows the student to obtain hands-on experience; also referred to as externship.

Recertification

Certification renewed either by taking the examination again or by completing a specified number of continuing education units in a $5$-year period.

Scope of patient

The procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for a particular health care profession.

Self-boundaries

The limits set on the relationships between health care professionals and their patients.

Specialty

A specific area of medicine in which a health care professional has specialized training and expertise.

Telemedicine

The use of electronic telecommunications technology for the delivery of health care.