Chapter 8 Medical Assistant Workbook Answers

If you’re looking for answers to the medical assistant Workbook, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll provide answers to Chapter 8 of the workbook.

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Introduction

In this chapter, we will be discussing the medical assistant workbook answers. This will include a review of the different roles and responsibilities of a medical assistant, as well as the different types of training and certification that are available.

What is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is an allied health professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly. In larger offices, Medical Assistants may specialize in a particular area, such as billing or insurance processing, or they may float from one area to another as needed.

Job Description of a Medical Assistant

A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in an outpatient setting. Their duties vary from office to office, but usually include taking and recording medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, performing routine laboratory tests and assisting with minor office procedures. Some medical assistants also take X-rays and give immunizations. In addition to clinical duties, they may also handle billing and insurance paperwork, schedule appointments, maintain medical records and stock supplies. Many medical assistants have specialized training in areas such as phlebotomy or electrocardiography.

Duties of a Medical Assistant

The duties of a medical assistant are both clerical and clinical in nature. Medical assistants are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones, handling billing and insurance paperwork, and other office duties. They also perform clinical tasks such as taking patient medical histories, recording vitals signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during the exam, and collecting and processing laboratory specimens. In some states, medical assistants may be allowed to perform certain procedures such as giving injections or removing sutures under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Skills Required for a Medical Assistant

In order to work as a medical assistant, you must have both clinical and administrative skills. Clinical skills are those related to direct patient care, such as taking medical histories and performing routine procedures. Administrative skills are those related to managing the office, such as scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance. Most medical assistants have a combination of these skills.

In order to perform their tasks, medical assistants must be able to:
-Communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team
-Perform basic medical procedures
-Document patient information accurately
-Maintain confidentiality of patient information
-Follow infection control procedures
-Work independently as well as part of a team
– Cooperate with other office staff

Education and Training for a Medical Assistant

Educational requirements for medical assistants vary by state, but most states require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal medical assisting program, which can be found at many community colleges, technical schools, and universities. These programs typically last one to two years and include both classroom and clinical instruction.

While not required, certification may give job seekers a competitive edge in the job market. The Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To earn this credential, candidates must pass a computer-based exam. Maintaining certification requires completing continuing education courses every five years.

Certification for a Medical Assistant

MRCMA certification is granted by the AAMA to candidates who successfully complete a credentialing process that includes completing an accredited MA education program and passing a standardized national exam. Candidates must also agree to abide by the AAMA’s Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Medical Assistant.

Salary of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants in the United States usually earn between $11.00 and $17.00 per hour, depending on their qualifications, experience and employer. The average hourly wage for medical assistants is $14.44, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual salary for medical assistants was $29,960 in 2016, which means that half of all medical assistants earned more than this amount and half earned less.

Job Outlook for a Medical Assistant

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the occupation will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The growing population of older adults will need more medical care, and as a result, there will be an increased demand for medical assistants who can perform administrative and clinical tasks.

FAQs about Medical Assistants

1. What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant is a health care professional who assists physicians and other health care providers in the delivery of patient care. Medical assistants typically perform administrative and clinical tasks in outpatient settings such as physicians’ offices, clinics, and group medical practices.

2. How much does a medical assistant make?
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,560, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,480.

3. What are the education requirements for becoming a medical assistant?
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a diploma from an accredited program or an Associate’s degree from an accredited community college or vocational school. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants.

4. What are the job prospects for medical assistants?
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physician assistants and nurse practitioners working with a physician