What Are Medical Assistants Allowed to
Do?
Medical Assistants in the USA
ATTENTION!
By law, whenever a
medical assistant provides ANY type of direct patient care and procedures, the supervising doctor (or licensed
health care professional in charge) MUST be present on the floor, office,
or building! This rule applies in every US state, regardless of how well trained the
medical assistant might be.
Unfortunately, too many medical assistants are confused and unsure about their scope of practice; so are
physicians, licensed healthcare practitioners, registered nurses, and medical office managers. They, too, are not
always one hunderd percent sure which tasks can be assigned to the medical assistant under their employ and
supervision, and wonder what the medical assistant is allowed to do when they are there, or while out of the
office.
On this highly competitive job market the one
thing that opens doors is documentation of your qualifications!
Medical Assistant's Scope of Practice
Medical assistants in the USA are bound by legal and ethical rules, some of which vary from state to state.
Important is that all licensed, professional, technical, and unlicensed medical office staff members in all areas
of the medical office understand exactly what a medical assistant is, and does. The employer must determine each
medical assistant's skill level and certification type and make sure that everybody under their
employ knows what they are allowed, and not allowed to do.
Medical Assistant Tasks: The medical assistant's tasks should be clearly identified and
outlined. For example, it should be made clear that they cannot make independent medical assessments, triage,
prescribe, or approve medications, or give any type of medical advice even if asked. Also many states mandate that
anybody performing phlebotomy, ultrasound procedures, EKGs, or X-rays must have a specific license to do so,
including medical assistants.
I performed numerous duties including Administrative duties including Greeting and directing patients Answering
telephonesUpdating and maintaining electronic medical records Obtaining insurance verification and authorization
Adjust scheduling for emergency cases Scheduling patient’s doctors appointments Processing insurance claim forms.Clinical duties include taking medical histories and recording vital signs explaining treatment procedures to patients preparing patients for
examination and assisting the physician during the examination. Collected and prepared laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises dispose of
contaminated supplies and sterilize medical instruments.Instructed patients about medications and special
diets prepared and administered medications as directed by the physician authorize drug refills as directed
telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy draw blood prepare patients for x rays.Also arranged examining room
instruments and equipment purchase and maintained supplies and equipment and kept waiting and examining rooms
neat and clean
CAREFUL! Medical assistants that disregard established professional standards, attempt to
perform procedures beyond their training, capabilities, or scope of practice, or decide to act independently
without permission, or the presence of a supervising health care provider are in real danger of exposing
themselves, patients, and their supervisors to serious consequences that can carry far reaching liability
issues.
What Medical Assistants Can and Cannot Do
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