Chapter 1 - The Medical Assistant
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) describes the
medical assistant professional as follows: - correct answer ✔The medical
assistant is a professional, multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in
patient care management.
What does the medical assistant perform? - correct answer ✔Administrative
and clinical duties and may manage emergency situations, facilities or
personnel.
The medical assistant must be able to exhibit what at all times? - correct
answer ✔Professionalism and he or she must be able to communicate
effectively and provide possible instruction to patients.
What did the Maine Department of Labor project? - correct answer ✔That
employment would grow faster than average.
What do the opportunities look like? - correct answer ✔Execellent, especially
with formal training, experience, and certification.
What percentage of MAs worked in offices of physicians? - correct answer
✔62%
What percentage of MAs worked in public and private hospitals, including
inpatient and outpatient facilities? - correct answer ✔13%
What percentage of MAs worked in offices of other health practitioners
(chiropractors, optometrists, etc.)? - correct answer ✔11%
, Where do the remainder of MAs work? - correct answer ✔In other healthcare
industries, such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care
facilities.
How many credits is an Associates Degree program? - correct answer ✔60
credits of class work (20 credits at 3 credits a piece, two year course of study -
30 credits per year).
Important skills MAs need: - correct answer ✔Administrative/business skills,
clinical procedure skills, professionalism, excellent interpersonal (people)
skills, communication, and organization skills.
Examples of Administrative Duties: - correct answer ✔Process mail, make
copies, schedule appointments, prepare correspondence, handle telephone -
patient triage calls, complete insurance forms, handle accounting/billing
information, and greet patients and bring them into examination rooms.
Obtain initial patient intake information, prepare educational information for
patients, medical file maintenance, ordering supplies, calling in prescriptions,
arrange medical examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and
maintain suppies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat
and clean.
Examples of Clinical Duties: - correct answer ✔Take medical histories, take
vital signs, assist doctor with medical procedures, examining treatment
procedures for patients, examining treatment procedures, and preparing
patients for and assiting examination.
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic
laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, sterilize medical
instruments, instruct patients about medications and special diets and prepare
and administer medications, drug refills, telephoning prescriptions to a
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) describes the
medical assistant professional as follows: - correct answer ✔The medical
assistant is a professional, multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in
patient care management.
What does the medical assistant perform? - correct answer ✔Administrative
and clinical duties and may manage emergency situations, facilities or
personnel.
The medical assistant must be able to exhibit what at all times? - correct
answer ✔Professionalism and he or she must be able to communicate
effectively and provide possible instruction to patients.
What did the Maine Department of Labor project? - correct answer ✔That
employment would grow faster than average.
What do the opportunities look like? - correct answer ✔Execellent, especially
with formal training, experience, and certification.
What percentage of MAs worked in offices of physicians? - correct answer
✔62%
What percentage of MAs worked in public and private hospitals, including
inpatient and outpatient facilities? - correct answer ✔13%
What percentage of MAs worked in offices of other health practitioners
(chiropractors, optometrists, etc.)? - correct answer ✔11%
, Where do the remainder of MAs work? - correct answer ✔In other healthcare
industries, such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care
facilities.
How many credits is an Associates Degree program? - correct answer ✔60
credits of class work (20 credits at 3 credits a piece, two year course of study -
30 credits per year).
Important skills MAs need: - correct answer ✔Administrative/business skills,
clinical procedure skills, professionalism, excellent interpersonal (people)
skills, communication, and organization skills.
Examples of Administrative Duties: - correct answer ✔Process mail, make
copies, schedule appointments, prepare correspondence, handle telephone -
patient triage calls, complete insurance forms, handle accounting/billing
information, and greet patients and bring them into examination rooms.
Obtain initial patient intake information, prepare educational information for
patients, medical file maintenance, ordering supplies, calling in prescriptions,
arrange medical examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and
maintain suppies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat
and clean.
Examples of Clinical Duties: - correct answer ✔Take medical histories, take
vital signs, assist doctor with medical procedures, examining treatment
procedures for patients, examining treatment procedures, and preparing
patients for and assiting examination.
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic
laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, sterilize medical
instruments, instruct patients about medications and special diets and prepare
and administer medications, drug refills, telephoning prescriptions to a
