PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 1
Second Edition
Ramutkowski  Booth  Pugh  Thompson  Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
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The Profession of Medical Assistant
Objectives
1-1 Describe the job responsibilities of a medical assistant.
1-2 Discuss the professional training of a medical assistant.
1-3 Identify the personal characteristics a medical assistant needs.
1-4 Define multi-skilled health professional.
1-5 Explain the importance of continuing education for a medical
assistant.
1-6 Describe the process and benefits of certification.
1-7 List the benefits of becoming a member of a professional
association.
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Introduction
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Fast Growing
Occupation
Generalist

Someone who is
trained in all
departments of the
facility.

Medical Assistant

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Graduate of
accredited
institution
Multitasking skills
A multitasking professional is someone who is able to work in
the administrative area, the clinical areas, and the financial
areas.
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Fast Growing Occupation

According to U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Statistics in 2002, medical
assistants held 329,000 jobs.
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60% were in physicians’ office
15 % in hospitals
25% in nursing homes and offices of other health
care practitioners
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Knowledge Base Needed
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Administrative and clinical skills
Patient insurance product knowledge
Compliance (OSHA, CLIA & HIPAA)
Providing exceptional customer service
Practice management
Current patient treatments and education
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American Association of Medical
Assistants
National Association of
Medical Assistants
Works to raise standard of
medical assistant to a more
professional level
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
20 N. WACKER DR., Ste. 1575
CHICAGO, IL 60606
(312) 899-1500
http://www.aama-ntl.org/
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American Association of Medical
Assistants (cont.)
Dedicated to Serving the Needs of
Medical Assistants by providing:
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Publications
Accreditation
Certification
Recertification
Continuing Education
Legislative Monitoring
Member Discounts
Group Insurance
Annual National Convention
Networking Opportunities
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AAMA Code of Ethics


The code of Ethics of AAMA shall set forth
principles of ethical and moral conduct as
they relate to the medical profession and the
particular practice of Medical Assisting.
Members of AAMA are dedicated to the
conscientious pursuit of their profession.
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Registered Medical Assistant
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Credential is given by American Medical
Technologists (AMT)
Take and pass certification exam
Educational and experiential requirements
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High school graduate or acceptable equivalent
Graduate from accredited school
Pass the AMT exam
RMA is generic term used by American Registry of
Medical Assistants since 1950 and by AMT since 1984
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Certified Medical Assistant

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
CMA
Awarded by Certifying
Board of the AAMA
Examination that
evaluates mastery of
medical assisting
competencies based on
Role Delineation
Study, 2003
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Credentials

Malpractice


Having credentialed personnel or staff will
lessen the likelihood of legal challenges.
Managed Care Organizations (MCO)

Places great importance in credentials for
employees.
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Accreditation

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The process by which
programs are officially
authorized.
CAAHEP and ABHES
Program has to meet
minimum standards
(essentials) for
accredited program
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Graduation from Accredited Program

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It shows that you have completed a
program that meets nationally accepted
standards.
Provides recognition of your education
by professional peers.
It makes you eligible for registration.
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Externships

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Obtain work experiences
in actual medical office
Duties will be planned to
meet your program’s
requirements
Offers you opportunity to
acquire a good reference
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Multiskill Training

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Reduces health care costs
Expanding your career opportunities
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Office manager
Medical lab technician
ECG technician
Medical biller
Hospital admission coordinator
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Apply Your Knowledge
Unit Secretary
1. Discuss what skills and duties are required
for unit secretaries.
2. Where do unit secretaries usually work?
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Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
Unit Secretary
1. Discuss what skills and duties are required
for unit secretaries.
Reception, communication, clerical duties,
and safety.
2.
Where do unit secretaries usually work?
Hospitals and nursing homes
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Daily Duties of Medical
Assistants
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•
•
•
•
Administrative
Clinical
Greeting patients
Handling correspondence
Scheduling appointments
Answering telephone
Creating and maintaining
patient medical records
•Assisting the doctor during
examination
•Asepsis and infection control
•Giving medications
•Performing ECGs
•Explaining treatments to patients
Laboratory Duties
•Performing tests such as a urine pregnancy test on the premises.
•Collecting, preparing, and transmitting laboratory specimens.
•Teaching patients to collect specific specimens.
Administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties are all part of your
duties as a Medical Assistant.
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Personal Qualifications
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Critical Thinking
Attention to details
Empathy
Willingness to learn
Flexibility
Self motivation
Professionalism
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Appearance
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Uniform, clean and
pressed
Shoes, comfortable,
clean, white
Hairstyle clean and
pulled back
Nails, short pale color
Jewelry at a minimum
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Attitude
 Positive and Caring
 Respond to criticism
as a learning
experience
 Take direction from
authority without
question
 Function as a vital
member of a medical
team
Change of Attitude needed
if Yes to Questions Below:
Do I have repeated conflicts
with people?
Have I had a conflict at work
that has resulted in
termination?
Do I have conflicts with
authority figures?
Do people make comments
about my attitude?
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Integrity and Honesty
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Everything you do, every task you complete
should be performed with a goal of
excellence.
Integrity and honesty are key in providing
superior customer service to your patients.
Your office staff and physician must be able
to trust you and the decisions you make.
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Other Attributes
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Proper Judgment
Communication Skills
Remaining Calm in a
Crisis
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Rights of the Medical Assistant
Title VII – you have the right to be free from any
kind of discrimination in the workplace and during
the hiring process.
Sexual Harassment – Unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment occurs in a variety of
circumstances, and anyone may be sexually harassed.
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AAMA Role Delineation Study

Areas of Competence
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Includes Delineation Chart
found in Appendix 1.
Provides the basis for
medical assisting education
and evaluation.
Three areas
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Administrative
Clinical
General
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Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
What questions should you ask yourself
to be sure that you have a positive and
caring attitude?
Do I have repeated conflict with people?
Have I had a conflict at work that has resulted in
termination?
Do I have conflicts with authority figures?
Do people make comments about my attitude?
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Summary
Medical Assistant
Training on-the-job or training programs
Skills and Duties
according to
AAMA Role
Delineation Chart
Stay abreast with
changes in technology,
procedures, and
regulations
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End of Chapter
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