Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants
Medics are never enough; that is why new medical officers are employed every year to meet healthcare centers’ demands. In cases where there is a dire need for a medic, medical assistants are employed to perform tasks they can manage. Medical assistants have the responsibility of delivering safe and efficient patient care. They, therefore, must delegate duties in the scope assigned to them. However, few states and medical facilities have well-defined scopes that medical assistants should focus on. This often leads to unsafe healthcare practices that endanger patients (Soobin). This essay discusses health risks that may arise when there are no regulations for Health care assistants and how clearly-defined scope of practice can improve patient care and safety.
In many states, medical assistants are allowed to perform simple procedures under a certified doctor’s supervision. However, there is no legal framework in the federal government that governs the medical assistants’ framework of practice (McCarty, 2). This is why licensing rules vary significantly from one state to the other. Having no legal framework to govern healthcare assistants’ working poses a health risk to patients being attended to by the assistants. Although many healthcare facilities claim to ensure that medical assistants work under certified doctors’ supervision, this may not be the case. Medical assistants are employed to fill in the gap when qualified doctors are not available. Some medical assistants may assume duties that they are not familiar with and cause more harm to the patients.
Debates on whether medical assistants are allowed to administer injections remain unanswered because of the absence of laws. There are still questions on whether medical assistants must be licensed before delegating their duties or not. After Senate Bill 6237 was passed in 2012, new levels of registration and certification of medical assistants were implemented (McCarty, 2). These levels included medical assistant certified, medical assistant-phlebotomist, medical assistant-hemodialysis technician, and medical assistant-registered. To be qualified as a certified medical assistant, the person must complete a training program and take an exam approved by the health department. These certifications ensure that the medical assistants perform only those roles they qualify for. Once the state and healthcare department certifies the person, there will be no need for thorough supervision when performing their duties (Mary-Ellen).
Having a clearly defined scope of practice will ensure patient care and safety. Under the 2012 bill passed, clinical practitioners’ scope encompassed areas such as capillary blood withdrawal, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, among others (McCarty, 2). For any additional tasks, the medical assistant must be trained first before performing them. This agreement will ensure that the medical assistant does what is in their reach and avoids risking what they do not understand. Patients will feel safer when attended to by qualified medics. Certification will guarantee this.
To ensure that one works within the state’s law for medical assistants, they must get the necessary training and certification from the state and the healthcare facility. The certification exam ensures that one has the required skills of a medical assistant. When one is a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), he/she can work in any state as outlined by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Medical assistant certification ensures eliminates risks in the medical fraternity and ensures the safety of patients (Soobin).
References
Gregory, Mary-Ellen. “Researching the Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants.” AAACN Viewpoint 36.2 (2014): 13.
McCarty, M. “The Lawful Scope of Practice of Medical Assistants—2012 Update.” AMT Events 29.2 (2012): 110-119.
Seong, Soobin. “Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) the Key to a More Efficient Healthcare System? An Investigation into the Roles and Functions of CMAs and State Scope-of-Practice Laws.” (2017).