What Are Medical Assistants Allowed to Do?

Medical Assistants in the USA

ATTENTION! 
By law, whenever a medical assistant provides ANY type of direct patient care and procedures, the supervising doctor (or licensed health care professional in charge) MUST be present on the floor, office, or building! This rule applies in every US state, regardless of how well trained the medical assistant might be.

Unfortunately, too many medical assistants are confused and unsure about their scope of practice; so are physicians, licensed healthcare practitioners, registered nurses, and medical office managers. They, too, are not always one hundred percent sure which tasks can be assigned to the medical assistant under their employ and supervision, and wonder what the medical assistant is allowed to do when they are there, or while out of the office.

Medical Assistant's Scope of Practice

Medical assistants in the USA are bound by legal and ethical rules, some of which vary from state to state. Important is that all licensed, professional, technical, and unlicensed medical office staff members in all areas of the medical office understand exactly what a medical assistant is, and does. The employer must determine each medical assistant's skill level and certification type and make sure that everybody under their employ knows what they are allowed, and not allowed to do.

Medical Assistant Tasks: The medical assistant's tasks should be clearly identified and outlined. For example, it should be made clear that they cannot make independent medical assessments, triage, prescribe, or approve medications, or give any type of medical advice even if asked. Also many states mandate that anybody performing phlebotomy, ultrasound procedures, EKGs, or X-rays must have a specific license to do so, including medical assistants.

I performed numerous duties including Administrative duties including Greeting and directing patients Answering telephones, updating and maintaining electronic medical records Obtaining insurance verification and authorization Adjust scheduling for emergency cases Scheduling patient’s doctors appointments Processing insurance claim forms. Clinical duties include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations and assisting the physician when needed.

• Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
• perform simple basic laboratory screening tests on the premises (STAT tests)
• dispose of contaminated supplies
• sterilize and wrap medical instruments
• instruct patients about medications and special diets
• prepare and administered medications as directed by the physician
• telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy as authorized and directed by the physician
• draw blood
• prepare patients for specialty exams
• arrange examining room instruments and equipment
• keep waiting area and examining rooms neat and clean

CAREFUL! Medical assistants that disregard established professional standards, attempt to perform procedures beyond their training, capabilities, or scope of practice, or decide to act independently without permission, or the presence of a supervising health care provider are in real danger of exposing themselves, patients, and their supervisors to serious consequences that can carry far reaching liability issues.

   What Medical Assistants Can and Cannot Do 

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