Medical Assistant Jobs
MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Medical assistants are not licensed professionals and they are always required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare provider such as a registered nurse or physician whenever they provide direct (hands-on) patient care procedures.
In several states unlicensed healthcare providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state in which they reside to perform needle injections; such as allergy testing, purified protein derivative (PPD) or Mantoux skin tests, and venipuncture.[citation needed] Some states require that medical assistants who draw blood for lab tests are certified, and have passed a practical examination as part of their phlebotomy training.[citation needed] In other states MAs need permission from the state to expose patients to X-rays.[citation needed]
Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need. Related jobs inclued Nursing Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Technologists.
In several states unlicensed healthcare providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state in which they reside to perform needle injections; such as allergy testing, purified protein derivative (PPD) or Mantoux skin tests, and venipuncture.[citation needed] Some states require that medical assistants who draw blood for lab tests are certified, and have passed a practical examination as part of their phlebotomy training.[citation needed] In other states MAs need permission from the state to expose patients to X-rays.[citation needed]
Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need. Related jobs inclued Nursing Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Technologists.
Details at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_Assistant
Labels: Medical Assistant
posted by MedAssistant.org at 2:11 PM
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