...refill of a controlled substance such as Valium, an antidepressant medication, is just one example of how knowing what the responsible and ethical thing to do can be crucial in the workplace. Jerry McCall currently works as an office assistant within the medical practice of Dr. Williams. Jerry has professional training as both a medical assistant and as an LPN. On this particular day Jerry is covering for a receptionist during their lunch break by answering any phone calls that the medical office receives. One of the phone calls that Jerry answers is in regards to a patient who states they must have a refill on their prescription od Valium. The patient states that the prescription must be called into his pharmacy right away because he is leaving for the airport in 30 minutes. The patient also states that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always supplies him with valium when he has to fly. Jerry is currently the only employee at the office that can make the decision of what to do (Fremgen, 2009). The first thing that needs to be addresses in this situation is whether or not Jerry’s medical training qualifies him to issue the refill of this medication. Although Jerry has medical training as an LPN his current job is that of an office assistant, therefor he should not be the one to call in the refill on the patients Valium. The fact that this medication is a controlled substance means that Dr. Williams should be made aware of the request before approval for refill regardless...
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...A front office employee may be called a medical assistant, and may not technically be one. They’re often gifted secretaries or receptionists, excellent at communicating with people, and good at reading medical documentation. Other times a medical assistant may perform both a share of secretarial work and back office duties. Sometimes doctor’s offices do not employ medical assistants but instead choose to employ nurses to perform all back office work. Since the requirements for medical assisting vary, a patient may not always know the skills and level of training of the medical assistant. Patients should know that neither medical assistants nor nurses, unless they are nurse practitioners, can diagnose problems or prescribe medication. Since you are a paying customer at any doctor’s office, you can certainly ask, if you doubt the experience of a medical assistant for a doctor or nurse to perform any type of medical procedure, i.e., removing stitches, swabbing for strep throat, giving injections. This may not endear you to a particular assistant but it’s certainly within your rights to ask. If you’d like to become a medical assistant, and you’re still in high school, consider studying general office skills, computer skills, and the sciences, particularly biology, chemistry, and anatomy. Though a necessary part of the medical team, recognize that the financial rewards for this field are not great. As of 2006, the average salary in this field was a scant $21,000 US Dollars (USD)...
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...2013 Linda Hagler-Reid, MBA Introduction Jerry McCall is Dr. William’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a Licensed Practicing Nurse (LPN). He is handling all of the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. William’s is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? The American Association of Medical Assistants was established in 1955, a decade considered to be the golden age of medicine, as medical research blazed through the first half of the century. Its creed reflects this perception: “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.” Though medicine’s golden age may be behind it, its ethics remain firmly in place. Medical assistants serve the public with an ethical obligation to the needs of all. These obligations...
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...Medical Assistant Jasmine Sackel Kaplan University Medical Assistant I chose medical assistant. The national median salary is $29,370 per year and $14.12 an hour. The average growth rate is 11 percent from 2012 to 2022. Most states do not have an educational requirement for medical assistants. However employers usually prefer a high school diploma or something equivalent. On the job training maybe provided at a private doctors’ office and other health facilities. Kaplan however does provide accreditation needed for medical assistants. Medical Assistants employment is expected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than average for other occupations. The more the practices expand physicians will hire medical assistants. Medical assistant duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of facility. Medical Assistants usually record patient history and personal information, vital signs, patient exams, vaccinate, schedule appointments, and prepare blood for lab work. This information is to be kept confidential and only discussed with other medical personal whose treating, the patient. Electronic health records are changing Medical Assistants job because it’s moving all their information online. Medical assistants are not physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under a physician’s supervision. Medical assistants use many technological tools and accessories, to help the doctors for checkups of patients. For general use medical assistants...
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...Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician (www.bls.gov). Some medical assistants may help doctors examine and treat patients. They may check the height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure of each patient. Assistants write down patients' medical histories and run simple laboratory tests. Sometimes they answer patients' questions about medicines and treatment at home. Assistants may also give injections, apply bandages, and take X-rays. Many assistants take electrocardiograms, which measure the electrical impulses of the heart. Medical assistants are sometimes in charge of buying and maintaining medical equipment and furniture for the doctor's office. They may also act as office managers. They plan the doctor's schedule...
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...An experienced and skilled medical assistant with the sound knowledge of technical support, seeking a position in a setting of care and commitment for the needs of others. SKILLS: * Experience of more than 5 years as a Medical Assistant * Excellent knowledge EMR documentation and patient charting, possess knowledge of medical terminologies, clinical requirements and procedures * Proficient in handling medical tools, apparatus and equipments, required to conduct several medical tests and multiple office based procedures * Ability to multi-task and respond to the needs of the patient and provider promptly in stressful situations * Excellent ability to grasp new concepts; displays patience and the ability to ease patient anxiety * Capability to manage and coordinate several activities efficiently EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS * AAS Degree, Clark College, Vancouver, Washington; August 2013 * Certificate, Everest College, Vancouver, Washington; June 2010 * Certificate, Apollo College, Portland, Oregon; June 2002 * Current CPR, First Aid, AIDS Education WORK SUMMARY Clinical Medical Assistant Summit Specialists of Pain Rowlett, TX September 2013- Current Responsibilities: * Provide support to the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants accurately and promptly * Provide support to physician with setting up office-based surgical procedures...
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...“Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time” (Fremgen, Chapter 4, 2009). A prescription can be prepared by a nurse, secretary, or any other agent in the office for the physician’s signature but cannot be called in or dispensed by no one other than the physician. There are certain rules and regulations that control issues like the one Jerry is faced with. The United States along with each state individual have set for rules and regulations for situations as this. By not following the guidelines it could cause many risks and it also goes against the code of ethics. There are code of ethics set forth not only for doctors but also nurses, physician assistants, and even medical assistants. If I were Jerry I would tell the patient that legally I cannot call in any prescriptions or medications without the authority of Dr. Williams. Calling in the prescription would put me at great risk for many legally issues because I do not have the permission of the physician to call...
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...Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’ office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time. What should he do? 1. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? Jerry’s medical training as a LPN does not give him the qualification to issue this refill order but in clinical setting a Medical Assistant has the qualification to various duties which depends on the state law in your state you reside in. Medical assistant include task of taking medical histories, recording vital signs, explaining medical or treatment procedures to a patient, getting the patient ready for their examination and help assist the physician in the examination process. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, preparation and administer medications, authorize drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room...
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...Medical Assistant: Medical assistant possess good critical thinking skills and are able to pay attention to details. Empathy, flexibility, self-control, integrity, willingness to learn is other important traits of a medical assistant. Additionally they must have a neat professional appearance, good communication skills. Most medical assistants have both clinical and clerical responsibilities. Clinical functions vary depending on the scope of duties permitted by the Laws of each state. Their responsibilities may include helping the physician by obtaining the patient’s medical history; taking and recording the patient’s height and weight; obtaining and recording vital signs, such as pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood pressure; preparing the patient for examination and/or treatment; drawing blood; assisting in examining And/or treating the patient; performing routine laboratory tests and EKGs; Applying dressings; instructing the patient in preparation for x-rays and laboratory examinations; preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician. The clerical, or administrative, responsibilities that a medical assistant may be expected to perform include scheduling and receiving patients; transcribing and maintaining medical records; procedural and diagnostic coding; typing and taking dictation; arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory procedures for patients; and handling telephone calls, correspondence, reports, insurance matters, office...
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...Medical Assisting Brenda Simpson Kaplan University, Watarai, Hiroki Three years ago my mother passed away due to a heart attack. Within in the same year one of my sisters was diagnosed with terminal adrenal cancer known as Paraganglioma. She passed away nine months later after finding out it was not curable. This how I really found the chance to see how good ethics played a role in the care of both family members. I was how amazed how awesome the Dr’s. And the healthcare team played together until their last days and took their last breath. I was able to see the duties of the doctors, nurses, and the medical assistants. I knew right then I wanted to be able to make a lasting impression in someone’s life in a positive way. Nevertheless, I did my research and personality test, which led to this career choice. Medical assisting was best fitted for me. The overview of the profession is what made it so interesting to me. All of the duties that were held for my mother and sister made me to want to pursue this career even more. The duties include, taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Oct 18, 2010) These are just some of the duties, which were named in above. Further duties include, telephone prescriptions, change dressings on...
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...care, a variety of medical practice arrangements, and a multitude of healthcare specialty areas have resulted in the continual need to understand healthcare law. Unfortunately, due to the rise of malpractice suits, many physicians are protecting themselves by ordering multiple testing procedures, some of which might not be needed. In addition, many patients no longer want older, more conservative approaches to testing and diagnosis – and these newer tests are more expensive. All healthcare professionals need to pay attention to the wishes of their patients. And in the circumstances where the patients has given family members or others authority to make a healthcare decision on their behalf, healthcare professionals must respect the patient’s wishes. They also should use care not to place their own opinions ahead of the decisions of physicians or other healthcare professionals made in consultation with the patient. As with the case of Jerry McCall, his job is an Office Assistant and Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician...
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...to this; he is facing the dilemma of doing the right thing or keeping the patient happy by doing him a favor that could cost Jerry his job among severe legal issues. A patient calling Dr. Williams office and asking for a prescription while he is not there is not the issue. The issue is if Jerry authorizes the refill, this is not within Jerry’s scope. As a Medical Assistant there are many functions that a person is allowed to perform, therefore it is very important for Jerry to understand his job description, and especially his limitations. As a Medical Assistant Jerry can perform many duties including, escorting patients to exam room, prepare them for an exam, change wound dressings, drawing blood (depending on state laws) obtain wound cultures, remove sutures or staples from superficial incisions or lacerations, provide patient information and instructions; among many more duties (Buppert, 2008). There are some other duties that Jerry can perform, which are “administering medications topically, sublingually, vaginally rectally and by injection” and also providing the patient with a single dose of oral medication only when ordered by the physician, to a patient for immediate self-administration under observation. These are just some of the limitations that a Medical Assistant faces, which in this case Jerry is facing this (Balasa, JD,MBA, 2012). Although Jerry has previous Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) training, he is still unable to prescribe medications to a patient...
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...Joint Commission Eligibility for Hospital Accreditation, the organization must be in the United States or its territories, or if outside the United States, is operated by the U.S. government or under a charter of the U.S. Congress. For all programs by law the organization has a facility license or registration to conduct its scope of services. The organization can demonstrate that it continually assesses and improves the quality of its care, treatment, and/or services. .The organization identifies the services it provides, indicating which care, treatment, and/or services it provides directly, under contract, or through some other arrangement. The organization provides services that can be evaluated by Joint Commission standards. If the organization uses its Joint Commission accreditation for deemed status purposes, the organization needs to meets the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The organization must meet parameters for the minimum number of in patients/volume of services required for organizations seeking Joint Commission accreditation for the first time. A hospital that is seeking Medicare Certification and is new to The Joint Commission must have one active inpatient case at the time of survey. If the hospital’s Average Daily Census is 21 or more, or if the hospital is a specialty hospital (cardiac, orthopedic, or surgical), the hospital must be able to provide inpatient records for at least 10 percent of the average daily census, but not less than 30 inpatient...
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...Business Office Assistant : Reference: | HCA01579 | Facility: | London Bridge Hospital | Location: | London | Category: | Administration & Business Support | Salary: | Competitive | Closing Date: | 08/08/2014 | About Facility and Benefits London Bridge is a private hospital offering the very highest standards of clinical skills and nursing care across a wide range of specialties. It’s a dynamic and highly professional environment where the advanced equipment and technology is second to none and our employees take pride in being the best at what they do. The Business Office team is looking to recruit on Contract Business Office Assistants for its expanding department. This department provides support services spread across several buildings in London Bridge, the City of London (Tower Hill), Old Broad Street and Sevenoaks. Job Description As an administrator you will be covering reception registration desks. You will welcome patients into the department, receive and resolve telephone enquiries, liaise with consultants and other clinical staff in order that the clinic is running smoothly. You will also register patients onto Meditech ensuring the information captured is accurate and entered correctly. In addition you will use registration reports to spot registration errors and correct any accounts so they can be billed. Additional responsibilities are the management of cash reconciliation, scheduling and appointments. Please note that the hours of work follow...
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...Sample duties/responsibilities of Office assistant You can ref some functions as follows: 1. To supervise the performance of receptionists; 2. To record and maintain the minutes of the meetings of the Boards (management or directors); 3. To type and prepare documents as required; 4. To greet customers and senior members of the company; answer phone and receive messages sent to the company; 5. To provide assistance to staff members like answering, receiving phone calls and taking messages; 6. To be in charge of maintaining the Archives of the company; 7. To be responsible for distributing letters and notices to customers and shareholders; 8. To record checks and donations; 9. To ensure the front desk area to be cleaned and in tidy order; 10. To be responsible for sending mails at requests; 11. To be responsible for maintenance, upgrade and development of data collection system of the company to satisfy the required standards; 12. To be in charge of quality assurance duty for database management; 13. To provide training for the staffs in relation to data encoding and decoding; 14. To provide travel and accommodation expenses for employees at requests; 15. To provide assistance in preparing documents and reports; 16. To collect statistics for the program coordinators at requests; 17. To maintain the supply of office requisites; 18. To update and maintain mailing list of the company; 19. To upgrade the system at requests of the superiors or if necessary; 20. To...
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