Administrative duties may include... Using computer applications Answering telephones Greeting patients Updating and filing patient medical records

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2 Administrative duties may include... 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

3 Clinical duties vary according to state law and include... Taking medical histories Explaining treatment procedures to patients Preparing patients for examination Assisting the physician during the exam 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

4 Medical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the doctor's office and often explain the physician's instructions. If you have good communication skills and are often appreciated for your caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career in medical assisting

5 Is Medical Assisting For You? Are you looking for a meaningful job? Do you like helping others? Do you have an interest in health and medicine? Are you a "people person"? Are you good at multitasking switching tasks throughout the workday? Do you like variety in your job? Would you like to enter a career in an expanding field? Medical assistants enjoy an exciting career, working alongside physicians in medical offices and clinics, to help ensure the best possible care for patients.

6 The CMA (AAMA): The gold standard of professionalism The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers certification to medical assistants who have graduated from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The CMA (AAMA) credential represents a medical assistant who has been certified by the Certifying Board of the AAMA.

7 Graduates 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) are eligible to take the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.

8 RMA (AMT) The AMT/RMA is certification by the American Medical Technologists for a registered medical assistant. AMT is a nationally and internationally recognized certification agency the AMT credential is well respected in the industry and is transportable throughout the US. AMT is a reputable certification agency. Its competency-based exams are developed, administered, and analyzed using industry standards and state-of-the-art methodologies. AMT is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a recognition only given to organizations meeting rigorous NCCA Standards. Because AMT offers multiple but related certifications, individuals can become certified in more than one specialty, making them more valuable and marketable in the industry.

9 Percentile wage estimates for this occupation: Employment (1) Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage (2) 495,970 $14.16 $29,450 Percentile 10% 25% 50% (Median) 75% 90% Hourly Wage $9.98 $11.57 $13.77 $16.23 $19.21 Annual Wage (2) $20,750 $24,060 $28,650 $33,760 $39,970 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Division of Occupational Employment Statistics, PSB Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC Telephone: Contact OES

10 Employment change. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population, there will be an increased need for all healthcare workers. The increasing prevalence of certain conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, also will increase demand for healthcare services and medical assistants. Increasing use of medical assistants to allow doctors to care for more patients will further stimulate job growth.

11 Job Titles MA s can apply for: Medical Assistant Medical Office Assistant Lab Assistant Patient Care Assistant Medical Administrative Assistant Medical Secretary Medical Biller and Coder Medical Transcriptionists Medical Support Specialists Phlebotomists

12 NEW EMR (EHR) course coming to the MA program What s happening across the US; Massachusetts: Dr s will lose their license to practice if they don t convert to EMR by 2015 Minnesota: Clinics and hospital to convert over by 2015 or they will be in technical noncompliance which is a misdemeanor. (60% have EMR as of 2010) Maryland: Will personally pay clinics and hospitals to switch over Federal Government: Stimulus for EMR (hospital=millions, doctors up to $44,000) Medicare Though the program is voluntary, doctors and hospitals that fail to go paperless by 2016 face cuts in their Medicare payments as a penalty

13 Question s Produced by Pamela Christianson, CMA (AAMA), CPhT (PTCB), BS And AAAMA.