As defined by Donald Basala, JD, MBA, the CEO and Chief Legal Counsel of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), “Medical assistants are allied health professionals who work predominately under licensed provider authority in outpatient settings—including outpatient departments of primarily inpatient institutions. Medical assistants may be delegated certain clinical, patient-communication, and administrative tasks by licensed providers. The category of licensed providers most often includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.”1 Show
Within nearly all medical practices, the role of the medical assistant (MA) is essential for effective operations and patient care. When utilized properly within their legal scope of practice, a knowledgeable and skilled MA can improve workflow and productivity, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce provider and staff burnout. In addition to managing front-office functions, MAs can perform limited clinical duties. Relying on an MA to perform tasks outside the state’s defined legal scope of practice can, however, place both the provider and the patient at risk. It can also compromise patient safety and result in adverse patient outcomes and claims. Scope of PracticeBecause an MA’s scope of practice varies by state, regulations may include very specific lists of approved and unapproved activities. Conversely, some states do not address MA scope of practice at all, and the MA generally works under the license of the supervising provider. Consider these strategies to help your MAs stay within their designated boundaries:
Telephone TriageOnly physicians or qualified licensed staff, such as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, should provide telephone advice. Office staff must use written protocols and standing orders that include instructions on standard questions to ask the caller, recommended responses for minor problems, and which calls to refer immediately to a licensed provider. For more information, see our article, “Telephone Triage and Medical Advice Protocols.” Assigned TasksMAs cannot—under any circumstances—make independent medical assessments, triage, prescribe, renew prescriptions, or give any type of medical advice. Consider the following recommendations:
Training and OversightThe following strategies can help ensure adequate training and oversight for the MAs in your practice:
Improvement StrategiesEnhance safety with these risk mitigation strategies:
Continuing Education and Additional AssistanceWe offer complimentary on-demand courses that can help you reduce risk and improve safety. Some courses can also help office staff enhance patient relations, manage challenging patients, and improve teamwork communication. For a complete catalog, visit our Education and CME page. For additional guidance, contact the Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management at (800) 421-2368 or by email. What are medical office policies?Medical office policies usually address late arrivals or no-shows to appointments, including the standards for dismissing a patient from the practice. In addition, policies should address patient intake standards and appointment-making procedures.
What can a medical assistant discuss with a patient?Taking medical histories.. Explaining treatment procedures to patients.. Preparing patients for examinations.. Assisting the physician during examinations.. Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens.. Performing basic laboratory tests.. Instructing patients about medication and special diets.. What are the 5 items in the code of ethics for medical assistants?Code of Ethics and Principles of Medical Assisting. Render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity.. Respect patient confidentiality.. Uphold the honor and high principles of the medical assisting profession.. Seek to continually improve knowledge and skills for the benefit of patients and colleagues.. Why a policies and procedures manual should be developed and used in a medical office?The policy and procedure manual is essential to the efficient operation of every medical practice. Its purpose is multifold: to serve as a training and orientation guide for new employees, to serve as an ongoing reference for staff, and to serve as a risk management tool that lowers liability exposure in the office.
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