An assistant’s clerical duties will include answering phones, greeting and checking in patients, making appointments, handling all correspondence for the office, sorting and distributing mail when needed and basically handling the receptionist duties of the office and the department.

The administrative duties of a medical assistant will include functions such as pulling and filing records and making sure a patient’s file is up to date with all information, scheduling patients for labs or tests and screens that need to be done out of the office, setting up hospital stays, and handling all insurance forms and filings between doctors, patients, and the patients families.

Additionally, a certified assistant will have several clinical duties as well. These duties will consist of actually working with the patient in a medical setting. The medical assistant will get the patient ready to see the doctor. They will take all vital signs and record them in the chart for the doctor. They will also collect lab specimens and send them to an outside lab or do a cursory lab test and provide results on the spot. They also draw blood, remove wound dressings, and perform simple tests on machines such as an EKG machine.

A medical assistant’s duties are many, and what you get up to day to day will often depend on what type doctor you are working for. There are many different things that you will have to handle as assistant in a medical setting. You will need to have a good education and attention to detail in order to perform this type of job at a top level, as the level of care that you provide is very important to each patient’s health.

It can be easy to trivialize the individual daily roles of certified assistants, making them out to be throw away duties of little importance. But the truth is, everything a medical assistant does, certified or otherwise is aimed towards helping the patient and making he or she feel better in some way. There’s nothing trivial about that.

You’re not perfect. As soon as you accept that – really accept it – then half the battle is already won. Most people have problems dealing with negative assessments because they think they’ve done the best job anyone could have done and to question that is not only hurtful but also unbelievable.

Check your output. Most of the time, there is some truth in criticism. Before you get defensive and whiny, check first if there is some truth in what your boss is telling you, and chances are you’ll find something you need to fix.

Pay attention. When your work is being reviewed, it is essential that you pay attention to what your boss is saying. Take notes. This can serve two purposes. One, and the most important, your boss will be under the impression that you are a willing student and that you will implement all suggestions given. And two, there will surely be something in your notes that can be of help when you’re faced with a similar assignment in the future.

Learn. Look for something that will help you do your job better. Bosses mostly don’t criticize employees just for the heck of it. The most important thing to walk away from an evaluation is a lesson that will help you become a better employee.

Let it go. Don’t go planning the downfall of your boss and his immediate family. This does not only cause more stress, but also prolongs whatever bad feelings you might have. Learn to accept, then let go. Move on to the next project. Keep the lesson, let go of the grudge. You will feel so much better. And on top of that, expect huge improvements in your future undertakings.

In order to take the CMA exam, you have to attend a medical assistant program that has been accredited by ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). There are no exceptions to this and no ways around it. The AAMA website has an excellent page explaining the process of becoming a CMA.

Certified Medical Assistant: What Does It Mean?

Not all employers will require you to be certified, nor is it required by law of all medical assistants. However, with that said, the vast majority of medical assistants do end up pursuing one of the two certifications, and many employers will require it. The CMA certification is widely considered the most important one in the field.

The exam itself is taken on a computer and consists of 200 multiple choice questions. You find out immediately (at the end of exam) whether you passed or failed, and your official score comes in the mail six to 10 weeks later.

Accreditation of Medical Assistant Programs

Accreditation is the process of a third party accrediting agency reviewing a school, or one of its programs, to ensure that the education being provided meets a certain set of criteria for quality and completeness.

Accreditation of a school or a program is a rigorous process that can take six to 12 months, and involves the school submitting information to the accrediting agency, as well as visits to the school by representatives of the agency. The accreditation received at the end of this process is typically valid for a number of years, after which the school has to go through process to have its accreditation renewed. This ensures that the school is keeping up with the standards that are set.

There are other benefits, aside from the CMA, to attending an accredited program. Certain types of financial aid are only available to people attending accredited programs, and if you choose to transfer to another school, you are much more likely to receive credit for courses taken as part of an accredited program. These are all important things to keep in mind and consider when choosing a school and program.

Nonetheless, nurses no matter how logical they might think or act, are simply human beings who are capable of committing certain errors every once in a while. In the local scene, our nurses seem to be more exposed than ever to certain mistakes due to extended hours of shift, heavier workloads, and replacement of experienced nurses by newly-trained and inexperienced young ones.

Nurses make the same mistakes as other nurses, which can be both a comfort and a source of fear. Below are 4 mistakes you’re gonna make sometime, and how you can learn from them and recover from them.

Making a Medication Error

Dispensing wrong medication, dispensing wrong dose of medication, giving a medication to the wrong patient, and failing to monitor patient’s condition are some of the errors under this category that are potentially life threatening to patients. No one is excused to this kind of pitfall; you can either be a new nurse or a staff nurse with years of experience and still commit this awful mistake. Every nurse now in practice has made at least one, usually without knowing it.

Omitting Some sort of Treatment or Doing it to the Wrong part of Body

There is no worse order than “apply to affected area TID.” If you’re not aware of what the affected area is, you’ll be left staring at the patient’s apparently intact skin, wondering what to do with that little tube of ointment. Preventing an error requires research into the chart and maybe asking the doc what the heck is going on.

Calling a Patient by the Wrong Name

To us, it’s nothing more than an embarrassing slip. To the patient, it’s a huge deal: What else has this nurse confused on me? The only thing to do is apologize- profusely- and continue on with such attention to detail that the patient is reassured.

Calling a Doc without all the Necessary Information on Hand

This is something you learn early on, especially if you start on the night shift. Never call a physician without the chart in front of you and every single pertinent piece of information about your patient on the tip of your tongue. Especially don’t call the doc at 3 a.m. if you’re not already primed with information and suggestions. Believe me when I tell you that it took me several times, not just once, to learn this.

Some assistants only have high school diplomas and get on-the-job training under a physician’s guidance. Even so, it’s important to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam conducted by the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Obtaining your medical assistant certification is optional in most states. However, having your certification is an asset when applying for jobs because most employers will prefer a certified medical assistant over one without certification. Below are some more reasons:

Pay

Many certified medical assistants enjoy the luxuries that come with a better paying job, In addition to starting out at a higher pay rate, it’s also easier to find jobs that offer consistent merit raises and cost of living increases.

More Stability

Medical assistants are needed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you want to increase your chances of finding a stable job with consistent hours, certification can only help.

Shows Dedication

When you care enough to complete coursework and take the CMA exam, you show employers that you are dedicated to your job.

Continuing Education

The AAMA requires that you recertify every five years, either through continuing education credits or by retaking the exam. This process helps you stay up-to-date with the latest technology and trends in medical assisting.

More job choices

Whether you want to work in podiatry or pediatrics, being certified opens the doors for you to work in a medical setting that’s right for you.

Reassurance

As a medical assistant, your patients will be your top priority. Both you and they can feel that you have what it takes to see patients through their medical visit from reception to examination and check out.

In some cases your employer will pay for your continued education, making it possible for you to acquire your certification. In some locations , a medical assistant must be certified in order to perform such tasks as drawing blood and other clinical procedures. It is usually required that an applicant for medical assistant certification has graduated from an accredited school within the last 3 to 5 years. This is due to the fact that the medical field is always changing.

Medical Assistants’ tasks are obviously coupled with uneasy challenges and that is the reason why they are also prone to stress. We all know that stress is not good. It can cause symptoms to arise both physical and emotional. To cope with stress at work, here are some excellent tips:

Arrive Early

• Review the patient charts for the day; notice any special problems or needs.
• Be sure that each exam room is well-equipped and ready for patients.

Personal Assessment

• Get plenty of rest.
• Exercise and eat balanced meals.
• Dress appropriately. Clothing or shoes that are too tight cause stress.

Laugh

• Learn to laugh at life’s little problems.
• Laugh at yourself.
• Establish an appropriate level of humor with other members of the staff.

Music/Color/Light

• Soft background music has been proven to soothe and promote relaxation.
• Use color and light to create a calm atmosphere

Breaks

• Build morning and afternoon breaks into the schedule, even if only five or ten minutes.
• Close the office during the lunch hour, and if possible, leave the facility.

Work smarter,not harder

• Prioritize tasks
• Do not procrastinate
• Be motivated
• Be a team member as well as working well independently
• Plan your work, then work your plan

A change of mind can help you turn things around positive. Positive thoughts plus positive action is equals to positive results. Never panic. Take evey load as an opportunity for you to show that you can kick off challenges and make things happen extraordinarily. Who knows, you may be promoted because of that task.

Now, if you are a medical assistant you must realized that no one is excused from challenges. It boils down to how a person handles every situation. Follow the tips mentioned above on how to overcome stress and surely you will be able to enjoy being a medical assistant. No one is perfect so stop acting like one.

Getting quality health care can help you stay healthy and recover faster when you become sick. However, we know that often, people do not get high-qulaity care. A 2004 study of 12 large U.S. communities found that just over half (54.9 percent) of people were receiving the care they needed.

What exactly is health care quality? We know that means different things to different people. Some people think that getting quality health care means seeing the doctor right away, being treated courteously by the doctor’s staff, or having the doctor spend a lot of time with them.

While these things are important to all of us, clinical quality of care is even more important. Think of it like this: getting quality health care is like taking your car to a mechanic. The people in the shop can be friendly and listen to your complaints, but the most important thing is whether they fix the problem with your car.

Health care providers, the government, and many other groups are working hard to improve health care quality. You also have a role to play to make sure you and your family members receive the best quality care possible. Here are some steps you can take to improve your care:

Be Active: Take Charge of Your Health Care

• Work together with your doctor and other members of the health care team to make decisions about your care
• Be sure to ask questions
• Ask your doctor what the scientific evidence has to say about your condition
• Do your homework; find out more information about your condition.
• Find and use quality information in making health care choices.
  Be sure the information comes from a reliable source.

Talking with Your Doctor

• Understand your diagnosis
• If you need a lab test, an x-ray, or another kind of test.
• If you receive a prescription for a new medicine.
• If you need surgery.

Understanding Health Care Quality

• Doing the right thing (getting the health care services you need).
• At the right time (when you need them).
• In the right way (using the appropriate test or procedure).
• To achieve the best possible results.

Providing quality healthcare also means striking the right balance of services by:

• Avoiding underuse (example: not screening a person for high blood pressure).
• Avoiding overuse (example: performing tests that a patient doesn’t need).
• Eliminating misuse ( example: providing medications that may have dangerous interactions).

We would like to think that every doctor, nurse, pharmacist, hospital, and other provider gives high-quality care, but we know this is not always the case. Quality varies depending on where you live. Quality can vary from one State to another. Health care quality varies widely and for many reasons.

At present, the role of Medical Assistants in the health care sysytem is rapidly expanding. Besides their common administrative responsibilities, they also work closely with patients, doctors, nurses,and other medical employees. They see to it that everything is in order. Despite the fact that they try their best to perform their duties, challenges are inevitably seen. Here are some of them:

Difficult patients

In a regular shift, Medical Assistants can bump into various people with deviating personalities. Patients and visitors may come from different walks of life. Not everyday is perfect and for sure, the day will not end without one challenging patient who does not but find fault. The cases may vary greatly – from an old granny who keeps on coming back complaining about her bad day to a young parent who can’t be still because she can’t pay her bills. Even in those situations,the medical assistant must maintain their professionalism and show patience and gentleness to all.

Communication

Medical assistants must be good communicators. Since they commonly commune with the doctor(s), they need to convey the message clearly and precisely. Besides vocal communication, medical assistants are mainly in charge of other administrative responsibilities and they need to ensure that all their writings and notes are decipherable.

Patient Closeness

All medical staff must be professional at all times. Avoid personal and emotional affiliation as not to cloud the decision making. Then again, if dealing with lives, it may be difficult not to be affected when someone dies. Yes, people are emotional beings. However, it is the resposibility of the health staff to stay professional and composed.

The things mentioned above are some of the commom challenges faced by medical assistants and for sure by other health care providers as well. Being a health care provider is not an easy task. People expect too much from doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. People trust that their health is in good hands. Since people are going to hospitals and clinics daily to get medical assistance and to improve their lives, it is crucial to avoid errors by staying logical in such a stressful environment.

Keep Your Attitude Positive

When I get to work I approach my day with a Positive Attitude. If you go into your workplace with a horrible attitude it will waft around you and just make your day worse. Don’t think that every patient you come across will be a nasty one. There will be some days your patients will be mean, and rude.

There are definitely, many very appreciative and polite people out there. I treat everyone as how I myself would like to be treated. Give everyone your respect, and you just may get back in return, Don’t expect others to be as respectful as you are. Give kind words to the situation, and then leave it at that.

Prepare for Violent Patients

Violent patients need to be dealt with in special ways,each in their own. Assess the situation and how to not provoke angry behavior and how not to get yourself or others hurt. It’s good to have your eyes on the patient at all times and a exit plan of the doorway in view as well at all times.

Empathize With the Patient – Within Reason

You cannot take what a patient says personally. People have different styles and coping behaviors when they are frightened. Disruptive patients can upset others waiting to see the physician. While it is unnecessary to give in to reasonable demands of a patient, realize that the patient is upset and is expressing the need for you to listen carefully and not judge. If possible try to gently direct the patient’s comments to the solution of the problem.

The job of the Medical Assistant is to remain calm and use Professional techniques to direct the patient’s anger into a positive channel. Remember that patients come in to see the physician because they have a problem. Never treat them in a condescending manner.

Like most things in life, nothing goes as planned. Being a nurse you experience a lot of ups and downs, whether it relates to your profession or your personal life. We are all human and we are all wired to feel, but as a nurse you must try and be a little more resilient than the average person. Your job is the most difficult and trying of all professions and it’s hard to maintain a neutrality when dealing with emotion. You knew coming into this job that there will be those times when it seems nothing is going your way, just remember tomorrow will bring a new beginning. You can’t let every little thing bring you down. If that’s the case, I suggest you find yourself a new occupation, otherwise you’ll never find the satisfaction that can be with a nurse career.

Medical assistants are in high demand because of the wide range of duties they can perform in a fast-paced environment. Physicians are in need of efficient assistants to help their practice run smoothly. Medical assistants who are dedicated and hardworking will often be considered for advancements to positions of better pay and higher authority.

So instead of just working towards the general diploma itself, I went one step further and earned my certification. Certification gives the individual a better chance of earning an above average salary and better pay and benefits.The AAMA website is a great place to find resources allowing you to take practice tests in order to test your skills in subjects like physiology,anatomy and medical terminology . You can also learn about the most up to date information about this profession.

All things considered, when obtaining a Medical Assitant Certification it is important to make sure you keep your knowledge and skills sharp. This is essential for you and your future prospects. Now here are 5 reasons I have found to become a Medical Assistant:

1. You will be helping healthcare facilities run more efficiently.
2. It is relatively easy to join this profession.
3. You get to work with people.
4. There are great employment opportunities for medical assistants.
5. Excellent adavancement opportunities

Medical Assitants are the heartbeat of the medical office or hospital. They assist in the administrative and clinical procedures of a healthcare facility. If you have the compassion and commitment for a medical career,you should consider becoming a Medical Assistant. So if you’re ready to take the first step toward a new career in Medical Assisting, find out more about medical assistant schools in your area and online. Another reason you should consider training to become a medical assistant is that most schools can give you the hands-on experience you’ll need to start your medical assisting career in less than a year.

Medical Assistant schools typically offer short-term training so that you can quickly gain the experience and education to start working. Instead of spending two or four years in college taking general education classes, Medical Assistant Schools typically focus on training you in the subjects you need to know on a daily basis.