Chapter 1: The Medical Assistant, Health Care Team, and Medical Environment

Accredidation

A process in which an educational institution or program establishes credibility or legitimacy by complying with predetermined standards

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools(ABHES)

An accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting and other health care programs

Acupuncture

Involves the insertion of needles at various points in the body to treat disease or relieve pain

Administrative skills

Skills that help to manage the business affairs of a medical practice and include two categories - administrative procedure and practice finances

Advocate

One who assists the patient or acts on the patient’s behalf

American Academy of Professional Coders(AAPC)

An organization that promotes professionalism and encourages and supports education, networking, and certification in the medical billing and coding areas

American Association of Medical Assistants(AAMA)

A professional organization for medical assistants that certifies medical assistants and provides continuing education opportunities

American Medical Technologists(AMT)

A professional organization that provides credentialing opportunities for medical assisstants and continuing education opportunities

Ayurvedic medicine

Traditional healing system of India that addresses mental and spiritual well-being and physical health. Ayurveda identifies three types of energies that are present in all things; vata, pitta, and kapha, and believes that imbalances in an of these areas can cause disease

Biofeedback

A method that enables a person, usually with the help of electronic equipment, to learn to control otherwise involuntary bodily functions

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant(CCMA)

Credential given by the National Heathcareer Association(NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant(CMAA)

Credential given by the National Healthcareer Association(NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam

Certified Medical Assistant, CMA (AAMA)

The credential given by the American Association of Medical Assistants(AAMA) to eligible candidates that pass the CMA(AAMA) examination

Clinical skills

These are the skills that are an extension of the provider’s responsibilities and can be divided into fundamental practices, diagnostics procedures, and patient care

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program(CAAHEP)

An accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting and other health care programs

Complementary alternative medicine(CAM)

Treatments used in addition to traditional care or therapies

Doctor of osteopathic medicine(DO)

A doctor licensed by the state to practice medicine. These practitioners place special emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems, preventive medicine, holistic patient care, and patient education

Doctor of medicine(MD)

An individual who has met all the requirements in the state to become licensed as a medical doctor

Doctorate

Persons who hold doctoral degrees gave attained advanced knowledge through higher education in disciplines such as nursing, mathematics, education, chemistry, philosophy, and so on and have the right to be addressed as doctor

Epidemic

a disease affecting large numbers of individuals in a population

General skills

The skills that are necessary regardless of whether one is working in a clinical or administrative capacity. They include legal functions, communication skills, the ability to deliver education, and operational functions

Generalist

Medical assistants work as generalists wen they perform both clinical and administrative duties in addition to general responsibilities

Hippocratic oath

An oath historically taken by new physicians, requiring them to swear to uphold specific ethical standards. It is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine in many countries. A new modernized version is mostly used nowadays

Homeopathy

A 200-year-old system of medicine based on the Law of Similars. This means that if a dose of a substance can cause a symptom, that same substance in minuscule amounts can cure the symptom

Hospitalist

Works with patients admitted to the hospital. These individuals work in many different departments and reduce the load of hospital visits for the primary care provider and specialist

Magnet therapy

A therapy that involves placing small magnets close to the skin in order to correct an imbalance

Medical assistant

An integral member of the health care delivery team, qualified by education and experience to work in the administrative office, the examining room, and the physician office laboratory

Medical biller

Creates a billing statement listing all charges the patient has incurred for services rendered and sends the bill to the patient, insurance company, or attorney

Medical coder

Uses an alphanumeric coding system for all diagnoses and all procedures in a manner that results in the maximum reimbursement for the provider and in fewer fees billed to the patient

Medical office manager

Supervises members o the medical office staff, coordinates schedules, performs human resource functions, and oversees the daily operation so f the office

Midlevel practitioner

A health care provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, They are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe certain types of medications, Activities for midlevel practitioners are usually directed and/or dictated by a supervising physician

Multi-provider clinic

Group practice, which consists of three or more physicians who share a facility for the purpose of practicing medicine

National Center for Competency Testing(NCCT)

A national certifying organization that certifies medical assistants and other health care professionals after successful completion of a certification exam

National Certified Medical Assistant(NCMA)

The credential given by the National Center for Competency Testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMA exam

National Certified Medical Office Assistant(NCMOA)

The credential given by the National Center for Competency Testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMOA exam

National Healthcareer Association(NHA)

NHA provides products and services to health care professionals, include continuing education, program development, career and networking services, as well as 10 certification exams for several allied health care area, including Certifies Clinical Medical Assistant(CCMA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant(CMAA)

Naturopathy

A multidisciplinary approach to health care based on the belief that the body has power to heal itself, Treatment is based on assessment of the correct diet, rest, relaxation, exercise, fresh air, clean water, and sunlight the patient is receiving

Nurse anesthetist

An RN that is certified ot administer anesthesia

Nurse midwife

A professional RN who has had extensive training and experience in labor and delivery

Nurse practitioner(NP)

A midlevel practitioner that is able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe certain types of medications. Usually supervise by a physician but may work independently in some states

Partnership

Two or more physicians that have a legal agreement to share in the total business operation of the practice

Patient-centered medical home(PCMH)

A team-based model of care lead by a personal physician who provides continuous and coordinated care throughout a patient’s lifetime to maximize health outcomes

Patient navigator

Explaining insurance policy information, financial information, taking complaints from patients and helping patients understand their medical rights

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

A bill passed in 2010 intended to expand access to health insurance, provide additional consumer protections, and reduce costs of health care

Phlebotomists

Health care workers who specialize in obtaining blood samples

Physician assistants(PAs)

Midlevel practitioners who are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests; and prescribe certain types of medications. Usually supervised by a physician

Placebo effect

Refers to the fact that some people respond favorably to a known ineffective treatment because they believe it is working

Provider

Person that oversees the patient’s health care; often a physician, PA, or NP

Reciprocity

A physician who has been licensed in one state and wishes to move to another state may be granted a license by reciprocity if it is determined that the original licensure requirements are equal to or more stringent than the requirements of the new state

Registered Medical Assistant, RMA (AMT)

The credential the American Medical Technologists(AMT) issues to eligible candidates who successfully pass the RMA examination

Revocation

Temporary or permanent suspension of a license

Scope of practice

Principles of self-boundaries of the profession

Scribe

A person who documents by hand or enters data into the EHR as a profession and helps providers keep track of records

Solo practice

When an individual provider/physician makes all the decisions for the practice

Tact

Having the ability to perceive a situation and know the right thing to say or do. Tact is especially difficult and important when dealing with ill people

Urgent care center

Ambulatory care centers that take care of patients with acute illness or injury and those with minor emergencies. Used quite often when patients can’t get in to see their own provider