MAST Ten Ten Law Class - Chapters 3

Healthcare Team

Employees in a corporation or collaboration should work as a team to provide the best healthcare to clients.
Teamwork involves both leaders and followers working together.
Healthcare professionals must follow the regulations of the state they are employed in.
State guidelines take precedence over credentialing bodies and employers.

Certification:
- An example is a medical assistant.Professional organizations administer national exams to assess knowledge and skills.
- Passing the exam demonstrates meeting minimum standards set by the organization (e.g., CAHIP standards).
- Certification is generally not specialty-specific.
- Certification is a self-regulating, voluntary process.
- Certification enables medical assistants to work on computers due to knowledgeable use as permitted by CMS.
Registration:
- Another form of credentialing.
Licensure:
- It is the strongest form of regulation.
- Requires passing an exam and paying a fee.
- License verifies that the employee meets minimum standards required by law.
- Licenses are obtained from the state of employment.
Continuing Education:
- CEUs are required for renewal.
- Renewal involves a fee and proof of completing CEUs within a specific timeframe (e.g., two to five years).

Graduate Medical Assistant (MA)
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): CMA (AAMA)
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS): Not CMAs, but CMAS. Focuses on front office tasks.

KHEP has over 600 programs
AAMA is the association through which one can take the national certification exam to become a CMA.

ABHES has 29 programs.
Through AMT, candidates can take the national certification exam to become an RMA or CMAS.

Medical assistants are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory care settings like physicians' offices, clinics, and group practices.
They are multiskilled personnel capable of performing administrative and clinical procedures.
Physicians value their versatility as managed care emphasizes cost containment and efficient human resource management.
The demand for MAs is expanding.
Training includes both administrative and clinical practices.
Certification is advantageous due to knowledgeable use requirements and employer expectations for EHR/EMR access.

Graduates from accredited programs (KHEP or ABHES) can take the national certification exam.
Passing the exam leads to CMA (via AAMA) or RMA (via AMT) certification.
The RMA requires 30 CEUs every three years for recertification.
CMA requires renewal every 60 months with 60 CEUs.

Offered by AMT.
CMAS professionals are familiar with clinical and technical concepts needed for the front office.
This role is commonly held by clinic managers or practice managers who oversee the daily operations of the clinic site.

KHEP can award or deny accreditation.
AAMA collaborates with AMA.
Graduates of KHEP-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.
KHEP sets standards, including required competencies that must be met to progress in the program.

Medical professional coders ensure correct application of procedure, supply, and diagnostic codes for billing medical services.
Two professional coder associations: AAPC and AHIMA.
These associations certify coders.
Medical coding programs are designed for medical assistants to gain coding qualifications.

Some states limit the scope of practice for MAs (e.g., prohibiting vaccinations).
MAs must be aware of state laws governing their practice.
Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) prepare specimens and operate automated analyzers in on-site labs.
Medical Technologists (MTs) work in clinical pathology labs, running blood and tissue tests, and analyzing biological samples.
LPNs and RNs also have defined scopes of practice.
State regulations dictate what healthcare professionals can do within their scope of practice.

It occurs when one state recognizes the licensing procedures of another state.
The state considers it valid and grants a license to practice based on the other's licensure.

Physician's Assistants (PAs) can be certified, registered, or licensed.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) typically have a four-year BSN degree, followed by a master's or doctoral program.
NPs typically work similarly to PAs.

Due to the ever-changing field of medicine, continual education is important.
Employers need to ensure employees are up to date on credentialing.
A clinic manager typically manages credentialing using a reminder system (tickler file).
The office manager maintains records of CPR certification, bloodborne pathogen training, and credentials.
Reminders are issued six months before credential expiration to allow time for renewal.

State regulations vary and change as medicine becomes more specialized.
Medical practice acts are state laws defining the scope of practice for healthcare professionals.
Scope of practice is used by state licensing boards to determine permissible procedures, actions, and processes based on experience, education, and competency.
The scope of practice varies among healthcare professional categories and even within specific categories from state to state.
LPNs, RNs, MAs, and physicians all have a defined scope of practice.

In some states, MAs cannot perform venipuncture or give injections.
Some states regulate who can practice radiography and administer medications.
All states regulate lab procedures and protocols.
Employers must understand regulations relevant to their employees.
Employees have a professional responsibility to follow regulations.
Practicing beyond one's scope can lead to legal consequences, including jail time.