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Competitor's Preparation for Employment and Professionalism in Medical Assisting

Purpose

• Evaluation of competitors’ preparation for employment in medical assisting.
• Recognition of outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field.

Eligibility

• Open to active SkillsUSA members enrolled in medical assisting programs.
• Each state may send one high school competitor.

Clothing Requirements (NYS Health Care Attire)

• Uniform: Official school clinical scrubs uniform with identification removed or concealed.
• Under shirt: Only plain white, collarless T-shirts may be worn underneath; must not be visible from sleeves or hem.
• Footwear: Health professional’s white leather work shoes with white socks or skin-tone seamless hose.
  • Shoes must be all-white leather (no canvas) and completely enclosed (no open toe or heel). Athletic-style shoes that meet the criteria are acceptable.
• Hair: Must be pinned up, off the collar, and away from the face and neck.
• Nails: Clean, short, without nail polish; no artificial nails are allowed. Heavy makeup and body scents are discouraged.
• Jewelry:
  • Only one stud or small hoop earring per ear is allowed, no facial piercings.
  • All visible tattoos must be covered. No facial or tongue rings are permitted.
  • A watch with a second hand is allowed.
• Conduct: Competitors should exhibit professional appearance and conduct during the contest.

Orientation Meeting Requirements

• Contestants must wear their contest clothing and bring the following:
  • #2 pencil
  • Resume
  • Safety assurance form

Supplied Items for Competition

1. Supplied by Technical Committee:
   • All instruments, equipment, and materials required for the competition not on the competitor's list.
2. Supplied by Competitor:
   • Watch with second hand (no electronic watches).
   • Black ink pen.
   • Stethoscope.
   • Sterile latex-free gloves.
   • Recommendation to bring a snack and warm coat for variable weather.
   • One-page resume following the guidelines.

Devices

• Cell phones or electronic devices will be collected by the contest chair during competition.
• No electronics are permitted in the contest area.
• If used improperly, a competitor's score may be penalized.

Competition Duration

• Competitors must plan to remain in the competition area for the scheduled time.
• Pre-approved non-competition related materials (books, magazines, etc.) may be brought to occupy idle time.

Assessment Overview

• The competition assesses abilities required of medical assistants, referencing Health Occupations: Core Knowledge and Skills and American Medical Association accreditation and certification standards.

Knowledge Performance

• The competition includes:
  • A written knowledge test on identified topics from Health Occupations: Core Knowledge and Skills.
  • Competency in skills during the performance portion of the competition, requiring participation in the NYS SkillsUSA professional development test online.

Skills Performance

• Competitors will demonstrate procedures or skills selected by the SkillsUSA Championships health occupations technical committee.

Standards and Competencies

MA 1.0 — General Office Procedures

• Standards recognized by the American Medical Association include:
  1. Greet patients professionally.
  2. Place and receive telephone calls.
  3. Arrange client admission to the hospital.
  4. Schedule client appointments.
  5. Complete history and assessment for client.
  6. Explain doctor’s fee and office policies.
  7. Gather data for necessary reports regarding referrals.
  8. Prepare a medical file for a new client.
  9. Maintain the appointment book.
  10. Make referral appointments for clients.
  11. Prepare release forms and obtain signatures.
  12. Process mail.
  13. Prepare medical records for daily appointments.
  14. Receive clients and visitors.
  15. Schedule outpatients for diagnostic tests.
  16. Prepare statements for mailing.
  17. Prepare correspondence from drafts.
  18. Prepare medical records.
  19. Demonstrate ICD-10 coding.
  20. Demonstrate CPT coding.
  21. Apply computer concepts to office practices.
  22. Plan and organize daily activities.
  23. Update inventory of office supplies/equipment.
  24. Prepare purchase requisitions.
  25. Complete pegboard.
  26. Operate calculators.
  27. Communicate professionally with clients, families, and visitors.

MA 2.0 — General Accounting Procedures

• Competency includes:
  1. Collect and post payments.
  2. Collect delinquent bills.
  3. Maintain files of unpaid accounts.
  4. Maintain petty cash funds.
  5. Make financial arrangements with clients.
  6. Prepare bank deposit slips.
  7. Process charge slips.
  8. Prepare checks for signatures.
  9. Prepare payroll.
  10. Reconcile bank statements.
  11. Reconcile cash counts and receipts.
  12. Review invoices for accuracy.

MA 3.0 — Insurance Forms and Financial Reports

• Competency includes:
  1. Complete insurance forms for filing claims.
  2. Complete forms for client reimbursement.
  3. Complete Medicare forms.
  4. Complete worker’s compensation forms.
  5. Complete Medicaid forms.

MA 4.0 — General Laboratory Procedures

• Laboratory competencies include:
  1. Instruct on clean catch or sterile urine specimen collection.
  2. Assist with collecting microorganism smear.
  3. Assist with Pap smear collection.
  4. Prepare urine for microscopic examination.
  5. Collect eye, nose, and throat specimens for culture.
  6. Assist with random voided urine specimen collection.
  7. Perform urinalysis testing.
  8. Perform cholesterol tests.
  9. Perform blood sugar screenings.
  10. Perform mono screenings.
  11. Conduct pregnancy tests.
  12. Perform specific gravity tests.
  13. Prepare outside test requisitions.
  14. Prepare specimens for shipping.
  15. Test stool specimens for occult blood.
  16. Demonstrate lab tests and specimen collection education.

MA 5.0 — Hematology Procedures

• Hematology competencies include:
  1. Obtain capillary blood specimens.
  2. Perform hematocrit tests.
  3. Perform hemoglobin tests.
  4. Understand venipuncture (high school competitors do not participate).
  5. Separate plasma from cells.
  6. Test using vacuum tube blood samples.
  7. Perform venipuncture using proper order of draw.
  8. Identify additives in vacuum tubes.
  9. Collect specimens according to orders.
  10. Communicate professionally.

MA 6.0 — EKG Procedures

• EKG competencies include:
  1. Perform EKG tests.
  2. Clean EKG equipment after use.
  3. Explain procedures to clients.
  4. Establish rapport with clients.

MA 7.0 — Pharmaceutical Principles and Administration

• Competencies include:
  1. Monitor controlled substances.
  2. Identify commonly administered drugs, uses, effects.
  3. Use correct pharmaceutical terminologies and abbreviations.
  4. Identify various methods and routes of drug administration.
  5. Administer medications (oral, ID, SC, IM, topical, transdermal); high school competitors only for non-parenteral.
  6. Explain the six rights of medication safety.
  7. Communicate orders and explain medication uses to clients.

MA 8.0 — Clinical Office Procedures

• Clinical competencies include:
  1. Assist with minor surgeries.
  2. Assist with dressing changes.
  3. Create and maintain sterile fields.
  4. Assist with physical examinations.
  5. Assist with biopsy procedures.
  6. Perform visual and auditory acuity tests.
  7. Position and drape patients.
  8. Apply various types of bandages (elastic, roller, triangular, tubular).
  9. Demonstrate pressure point use to control bleeding.
  10. Provide first aid for syncope.
  11. Prepare patients for minor surgeries.
  12. Prepare the examination room and equipment.
  13. Measure and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure).
  14. Perform hot and cold therapies.
  15. Perform CPR (adult, infant, child).
  16. Identify medical instruments and equipment.
  17. Measure height and weight.
  18. Chart relevant observations/information.
  19. Demonstrate emergency measures for choking.
  20. Provide patient education on procedures/tests/medications.
  21. Use medical terminology appropriately.
  22. Perform documentation (manual/electronic).

Core Knowledge and Skills Reference

1. Academic Foundations

• Apply knowledge of human structure and function in client care.
• Apply concepts of basic human needs in client care.
• Knowledge of nutrition is essential.
• Basic mathematical concepts are applied.

2. Communication Skills — Core

• Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and staff.
• Adjust communication to fit client needs.
• Competency in spelling, pronouncing, defining medical terms.
• Observe, report, and document pertinent patient data.
• Foster effective interpersonal relationships.
• Sensitivity to multicultural and multilingual contexts.
• Provide emotional support during procedures.

3. Safety — Core

• Report/correct safety hazards.
• Apply body mechanics principles.
• Maintain equipment properly.
• Ensure a safe client environment.
• Follow emergency procedures.
• Verify client identity.
• Handle hazardous materials cautiously.

4. Infection Control and Asepsis — Core

• Perform handwashing techniques correctly.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Identify at-risk behaviors and transmission modes.
• Apply CDC standard precautions.
• Adhere to principles of medical asepsis.
• Clean and restock environments accordingly.
• Apply disinfection principles adequately.

5. Asepsis — Advanced

• Maintain a sterile field meticulously.
• Don and remove sterile gloves/gown properly.
• Assist in minor surgical tasks diligently.
• Utilize sterilization principles correctly.
• Prepare equipment for sterilization appropriately.

6. Ethical/Legal

• Operate within liability frameworks relevant to the role.
• Maintain confidentiality in healthcare settings.
• Explain client rights thoroughly.
• Recognize and report signs of neglect/abuse.

7. Employment Skills

• Exhibit personal skills: attendance, time management, individual responsibility, teamwork.
• Maintain professional conduct and appearance consistently.
• Complete job applications and resumes carefully.
• Demonstrate effective interview skills thoroughly.
• Prepare professional correspondence related to employment.