What Medical Assistants Can and Cannot Not Do!

Don't miss out! Your free medical assistant certification info kit is here. Get it while it lasts FREE...

Limitations

In conjunction with their professional responsibilities all medical assistants must realize that they are subject to certain limitations within their scope of practice. These standards of practice are based on the quality and amount of their education, training, experience, local regulations, and guidelines regulating the medical assistant. The responsible medical assistant will recognize, accept, and demand that these limitations are respected, and strictly adhered to where ever they work.

MAs Working Within their Scope of Practice

Every medical office should have an organized plan that outlines the duties of every staff member in the medical office, especially their medical assistants, which should also address patient assessment and triage procedures, and emergency situations. Performed under the supervision of medical doctor, opthalmologiest, podiatrist, surgeon, or other licensed health care practitioner a medical assistants is allowed to do the following:

1.  Prepare and file medical records and patient charts.
2.  Maintain medical records using standard filing systems.
3.  Perform inventory control and ordering supplies.
4.  Maintain and adjust medical office equipment.
5.  Manage a petty cash drawer.
6.  Post service charges and payments.
7.  Gather community resources.
8.  Prepare and maintain appointment books.
9.  Sterilize, wrap, and label instruments.
10.  Prepare the examination room.
11.  Record body measurements and vital signs.
12.  Prepare patients for their physical examinations.
13.  Assist with therapeutic procedures.
14.  Assist during simple surgical procedures.
15.  Prepare and administer medications as ordered. 
16.  Draw up liquid medications and administer (most of) them as ordered.
17.  Collect and preserve bodily fluids, blood, and other specimens. 
18.  Perform simple STAT screening tests on collected specimens. 
19.  Answer phones, and relay patient's requests and questions.
20.  Type business correspondence.
21.  Transcribe dictated documents.
22.  Repeat and explain doctor's instructions (i.e. patient education). 
23.  Respond to medical office emergencies, administer CPR, and basic first aid. 

Medical Assistants Can Not:

1.  Independently diagnose or treat patients.
2.  (never!) assess, plan, and evaluate patients, or their care (nor can it ever be delegated).
3.  Perform arterial punctures.
4.  Perform tests that involve the penetration of human tissues except skin tests, and venous and capillary blood collection.
5.  Administer intravenous (IV) medications. Only professionals that are certified or licensed to do so are allowed to do this.
6.  Independently provide medical treatment, analyze test results, advise patients about their condition, or treatment regimen, or perform medical care decision making.
7.  Administer any anesthetic agent, except a topical numbing agent to the skin, such as an EMLA® patch, or cream.
8.  Independently prescribe or refill medications.
9.  Practice physical therapy, except technical supportive services, which utilize concepts of physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
10.  Do clinical skills which require health professional licensure. 

• Preventable Incidents! As Little As...
  
  It is important for every doctor to have a trusted medical assistant present to assist with medical exams, however, as little as not following standards of care...
• MAs Giving Medical Advice
  
  Things Medical Assistants can not do! An area that can quickly lead to potential legal implications is when a medical assistant attempts to make...
• Latest Debates - On IV Therapy
  
  The latest issue and debates revolve around medical assistants starting and disconnecting IV lines, or administering phototherapy in an UV booth.