Since new discoveries and developments in medicine and health care have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities learning and understanding of basic pharmacology is very important. A medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to regulations associated with handling, administering, disposal, and safe-keeping of medications within their scope of practice. It is highly recommended that medical assistants are familiar with federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintai...

Since new discoveries and developments in medicine and health care have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities learning and understanding of basic pharmacology is very important. A medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to regulations associated with handling, administering, disposal, and safe-keeping of medications within their scope of practice. It is highly recommended that medical assistants are familiar with federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintain awareness of federal and state health care regulations regarding regulated substances, and operate in compliance with the national and state regulatory agencies and government (OSHA) guidelines. A medical assistant than simply handing over a prescription, or administering a drug to a patient. They must be able to explain the use of medications, possible interactions, and typical and abnormal reactions in a way the patient understands, and know the proper way of recording these medications into the patient's chart.
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The term Medical Assistant may have legal status in some nations, whereas elsewhere they may be a loosely defined group.Medical assistants are not licensed professionals and they are always required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider such as a registered nurse or physician whenever they provide direct (hands-on) patient care procedures.
In several states unlicensed health care providers, including medical assistants, are required to have an authorization by the state in which they reside to perform needle injections; such as allergy testing, purified protein derivative (PPD) or Mantoux skin tests, and venipuncture.[6] Some states require that medical assistants who draw blood for lab tests are certified, and have passed a practical examination as part of their phlebotomy training. In other states MAs need permission from the state to expose patients to X-rays.Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need. New technical and medical developments and discoveries have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities. Medical assistants, whether male or female function as major contributors in the modern health care industry, in particular the medical office, clinics, and other areas. The common goal of all medical assistants is the support and care of the doctor's patients.Medical assistants function in an administrative capacity in the front office area, or in a clinical role in the so-called back office area. Medical assistants held about 329,000 jobs in the year 2000. Sixty percent worked in physicians' offices; 15 percent worked in hospitals, including in- and outpatient facilities. The rest were employed in nursing homes, offices of other health practitioners and other healthcare facilitiesAbout 6 out of 10 medical assistants work in offices of physicians
Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but many complete 1- or 2-year programs in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges
Medical assistants is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-2014 period
Job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, particularly those with certification. The Medical Assistant must provide proper care and appropriate counsel to patients who come to medical offices or ambulatory clinics, treatment facilities and hospitals, while exhibiting courtesy, conscientiousness, and a general businesslike manner at all times. Nowhere is the need for personal integrity as great as in the medical and health care field where doctors, nurses and medical assistants continually deal with people in need, their illnesses and personal problems. NHA offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Medical Lab Assistant (CMLA), Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), Certified Nurse Technician (CNT), and Certified Healthcare Instructor (CHI) credentials.
AMT offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), Certified Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS), Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Certified Office Laboratory Technician (COLT), Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC), and Allied Health Instructor (AHI). Medical Assistant Conduct
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was introduced to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets; to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery; to promote the use of medical savings accounts; to improve access to long-term care services and coverage; to simplify the administration of health insurance; and for other purposes.
Another important commitment that all members of the professional health care team have, which includes medical assistants, is the obligation respect the law, never to abuse patients, and never to abuse controlled substances that they have access to; or to tolerate abuse by others. These substances are kept under key and lock at the medical office or clinic.
Controlled substances are used only for patients under a physician’s supervision and any other use is illegal. Certain state's laws mandate that persons who provide services that involve direct contact with patients and residents at a licensed health care facility have their background checked and possibly undergo a pre-employment drug screening test.*
One such state, for example, is Minnesota, where an individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study and will not be permitted to work with patients in a licensed medical or health care facility. Another such state is Wisconsin, where heath professionals must meet guidelines established by state statutes regarding caregiver background check information prior to participating in any clinical placement.The Reasons Behind this High Demand for Medical Assistants
Medical care, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical services play an important role in our nation's economy and welfare.
Driven by the TREMENDOUS need for health care services in major cities to rural areas, recruiters and employers everywhere are in constant need for more staff.
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AAMA Medical Assistant Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the American Association of Medical Assistants shall set forth principles of ethical and moral conduct as they relate to the medical profession and the particular practice of medical assisting.

Members of AAMA dedicated to the conscientious pursuit of their profession...

AAMA Medical Assistant Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the American Association of Medical Assistants shall set forth principles of ethical and moral conduct as they relate to the medical profession and the particular practice of medical assisting.

Members of AAMA dedicated to the conscientious pursuit of their profession, and thus desiring to merit the high regard of the entire medical profession and the respect of the general public which they serve, do pledge themselves to
strive always to:

A.
render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity;

B.
respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information;

C.
uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines;

D.
seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the benefit of patients and professional colleagues;

E.
participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being of the community.


AAMA Medical Assistant Creed

I believe in the principles and purposes of the profession of medical assisting.

I endeavor to be more effective.

I aspire to render greater service.

I protect the confidence entrusted to me.

I am dedicated to the care and well-being of all people.

I am loyal to my employer.

I am true to the ethics of my profession.

I am strengthened by compassion, courage and faith.
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Every physician takes the the Oath as a code of conduct that serves as an ethical guide. This oath morally binds them to certain responsibilities and rules of medical ethics. Ethics, whether they are classified as general or special, teach them how to accurately judge the moral rightness and wrongness of their actions.

Here is an (unofficial) pledge for medical assistants: I solemnly pledge myself before God and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the professional healthcare team. I hold the care of the sick, and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust, and will assist the physician with loyalty and honesty. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my medical assistant career.

The Moral Rule to Do Their Duty
The one element that makes healthcare ethics different from general ethics is the inclusion of the moral rule, to "Do their duty." This statement is a moral rule because it involves expectations (e.g., of confidentiality). It involves what others have every reason to believe will be forthcoming. Failure to fulfill these expectations is to do harm to their patients (i.e. clients) and/or their colleagues.

Through the medical assistant pledge, medical assistants commit themselves to fulfilling certain duties, not only to those entrusted to their care, but also to all members of the healthcare team. It is this commitment to service and to humankind that has traditionally distinguished medical assistants at their various jobs.