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Medical Assistants Recognition Day [October 22nd], and Week, is celebrated on Wednesday of the third full week in October.

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics.

Job Responsibilities  |  Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties.

Here is a quick overview (duties vary from office to office depending on location, size, specialty, and state law):

Administrative Duties (may include, but not limited to):

• Using computer applications
• Answering telephones
• Greeting patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping.

Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to):

• Taking medical histories
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during exams
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Drawing blood
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures and changing dressings.

PCMH Team Member  |  Medical assistants are essential members of the Patient-Centered Medical Home team. According to a survey by the Healthcare Intelligence Network, medical assistants ranked as one of the top five professionals necessary to the PCMH team.

CMA (AAMA) Certification  |  Many employers of allied health personnel prefer, or even insist, that their medical assistants are CMA (AAMA) certified.

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers certification to graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

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Our heart is your heart

To spread the spirit of Medical Assistants Recognition Week, we are sharing the MARWeek logo with you. Use the logo to promote the week. Your options are endless!

• Print the logo on T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, and flyers.
• Embroider it on hats and apparel items.
• Print it on giveaway gifts for patients and colleagues.

The logos are provided in three file formats:

• JPEG: This low-resolution (72 dpi) format is standard for web page design and PowerPoint presentations.
• TIFF: This high-resolution (300 dpi) format is standard for professional offset printing or home and office laser printing.
• EPS: The EPS format is resolution independent and can be dramatically resized for use on signage.

Downloading instructions:

Right-click on the link to the desired logo below and select “Save Target As…” to save the image to your hard drive.

Patient Liaison 

Medical assistants are also instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the physician’s office and often explain the physician’s instructions.

Assessment

Medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attributing job growth to the following:

• Predicted surge in the number of physicians’ offices and outpatient care facilities.
• Technological advancements.
• Growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment.

More:

• Personal Care Assistants are the fastest Growing Occupation in the United States.

Conclusion

Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

• PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
• HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
• CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
• ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
• FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
• INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
• Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
• Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
• Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care