Introduction to Medical Assisting

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognize the duties and responsibilities of a medical assistant

  • Understand medical assisting organizations and credentials

  • Understand the training and scope of practice of a professional medical assistant

  • Discuss professional development as it relates to medical assisting education

Medical Assistant Roles and Responsibilities

  • Medical Assistants function as part of the healthcare team performing administrative and clinical duties.

  • Screens patients before the provider visit.

  • Responsible for the care and wellbeing of patients.

  • Work only under the direction of a licensed physician.

Administrative and Clinical Duties

Administrative Duties

  • Greeting patients

  • Handling correspondence

  • Scheduling appointments

  • Answering phones

  • Maintaining medical records

  • Billing, insurance processing

  • Performing medical transcription

  • Arranging hospital admissions

Clinical Duties

  • Assisting during exams

  • Following infection control

  • Performing diagnostic tests

  • Giving injections

  • Phlebotomy

  • Performing first aid

  • Administering medications

  • Recording vital signs

  • Removing sutures, changing dressings

  • Sterilizing medical equipment

  • Assisting in minor surgery

  • Patient education

Medical Assisting Credentialing Organizations

  • Certification is essential!

  • The National Healthcareer Association (NHA): CCMA

  • Exam evaluates mastery of medical assisting competencies and clinical knowledge

  • Must recertify every 22 years with qualifying Continuing Education Units (CEU)

  • Certification raises the standards of medical assisting to a more professional level

Healthcare Licensure

  • Licensed medical professionals include:

    • Medical doctors

    • Practical nurses

    • Registered nurses

    • Nurse Practitioners

  • Licensure for physicians is mandatory and controlled by a state board of medical examiners

  • Accomplished by examination

State and Federal Regulations

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Safety in the workplace

  • Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ′88'88) – Laboratory compliance

  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – Privacy

Program Accreditation

  • MA programs are accredited by:

    • The Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

    • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

Professional Development

  • After certification and employment:

    • Still necessary to continue to develop in your profession

    • Additional training offered through formal programs

    • Cross-training to learn additional skills

    • Continuing education (CEU) – Continuing education - CCMA certification requires continuing education (free through NHA)

Scope of Practice

  • Scope of practice - the services that a medical assistant is deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake in keeping with the terms of their professional certification.

  • Know your scope of practice and work within it.

  • Medical assistants must work under a licensed healthcare provider.

  • You may be delegated duties provided you have had the appropriate training to do the task delegated.

  • No national definition of a medical assistant’s scope of practice.

  • Research the state in which you work to learn about your scope of practice.

Key Terms

  • Scope of practice - Delegated clinical and administrative duties consistent with education, training, and experience.

  • Standard of care - The degree of care or competence expected in a particular circumstance or role.

Poll slides and prompts

  • OSHA regulates practices for _ in the workplace?

  • Medical assisting administrative duties include?

  • Medical assistants work under the direction of?

  • Medical assisting clinical duties include?

  • The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers which credential?

Connections / Real-world Relevance

  • Certification vs licensure: Certification (e.g., CCMA) supports professional standards; licensure involves state regulation (often for physicians, nurses, and other professionals).

  • No single national scope of practice for medical assistants; verify state-specific scope and requirements.

  • Program accreditation (CAAHEP, ABHES) ensures MA programs meet recognized standards.

  • Ongoing professional development and CEUs are essential to maintain competency and adapt to new practices.

  • Regulatory frameworks (OSHA, CLIA, HIPAA) shape daily practice, patient safety, and privacy obligations.