Chapter 2
Becoming a Professional
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Becoming a Professional
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Technical and social skills expected:
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Dependability
 Loyalty
 A positive attitude
 Integrity
 Diplomacy
 Confidence
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Characteristics of a Professional
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Dependable
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Punctual
 Efficient
 Reliable
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Loyal
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Quality work
Initiative
Good work habits
Team player
Ethical
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Professional Characteristics
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Positive attitude
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Enthusiastic
Goal oriented
• Seeks new learning opportunities
Works well with others
Integrity
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Honest
Trustworthy
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Diplomacy and Confidence
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Diplomacy
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Tact
• Builds good relationships
Empathy
• Understanding how others feel
• Putting yourself in their position
Confidence
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Helps you make decisions
Helps you provide leadership
Allows you to compromise
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
5
Professional (Technical) Abilities
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Competence
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Dexterity
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Ability to move with skill or ease
Effective communication
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Ability to get things done
Ability to use good English speaking and writing
skills
Nonverbal communication
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Ability to use facial expressions and gestures
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Personal Appearance
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First impression
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Very important
Can make it only once
Example: day in court
Personal hygiene and grooming includes:
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Bathing daily and using deodorant
 Hair, fingernails
 Make-up, perfume
 Jewelry, minimal and plain
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Professional Dress
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Uniform
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Shoes
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Neat, clean, pressed
Meets dress code of office
Clean, no scuffs
Comfortable and supportive
Other
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No gum chewing
No tobacco odors
No visible tattoos
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Duties
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Answering telephone
Scheduling—computer skills
Filing—record maintenance
Supply ordering
Prescription refills
Making referrals
Patient billing—insurance/coding
Payroll
Banking
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Clinical Duties
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Vital signs—T, P, R, BP, Ht/Wt
ECGs
Blood draws—venipuncture
Administering injections
Patient teaching
Assist with procedures
Set up sterile equipment
Suture removal
Cast removal
Supply inventory
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
10
Professional Training Programs
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Many types of programs
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Vary in length
Accreditation
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Voluntary for programs
It helps programs achieve educational goals
Graduate is eligible for professional credentialing
• Pass either AAMA or AMT certification exam
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Nationally Recognized Accrediting
Agencies
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Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP)
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Accrediting Bureau of Health Education
Schools (ABHES)
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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AAMA Credentialing Agency
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American Association of Medical Assistants
(AAMA)
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Exam offered by appointment
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Awards the certified medical assistant –CMA (AAMA)
Nationally recognized certification
200 multiple-choice questions
Score based on curve formed from examinees’ past and
present scores
Recertification required
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60 continuing education units (CEUs) every 5 years
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
13
RMA Credentialing Agency
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American Medical Technologists (AMT)
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Exam offered frequently throughout year
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Awards the registered medical assistant (RMA) credential;
nationally recognized certification
Testing sites in major cities for MA graduates’ convenience
Three sections: general, administrative, and clinical with
more than 200 questions
Scores based on a scale, with questions weighted according
to difficulty; passing grade 70
Recertification
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Recommended CEUs: 15 per year
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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AAMA and AMT
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Advantages of Credentialing
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Signifies your attainment of certain
competency standards
Allows an employer to make hiring decisions
based on applicant’s educational
qualifications
Shows commitment to medical assisting
profession
Makes you more marketable
Will earn more wages
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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CMA (AAMA) Pin
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Registered Medical Assistant
(RMA) Pin
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Certification Test-Taking Skills
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Examine your strengths and weaknesses
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Refine your test-taking skills
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Identify key words in sentence
Select patient-centered answers
Understand how to answer questions:
• “All of the above”
• “None of the above”
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19
Benefits of Continuing Education
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Keep up with new knowledge
Reinforce areas related to your job
Networking with other professionals
Required by AAMA and AMT
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Needed to recertify or retain active status
CMAs needs 60 CEUs every 5 years or lose
credential
RMAs recommended to earn 15 CEUs per year,
but do not affect credential
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