Why is it important for a medical assistant to understand the learning level of the patient who is being taught?

Tedious classroom lectures don’t have to be part of medical assistant training. The Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) program at SJVC prides itself on providing an engaging, hands-on learning experience in the classroom as well as the lab. Teachers are constantly using new and innovative strategy to keep students interested, give students a deeper understanding of the material, and to help them build the confidence they will later bring to their medical assistant jobs. Students often say the school day flies by; it’s because they are engaged.

In a pharmacology class, for example, when students learn about different routes of medications in the human body, they often stand—engaging the whole body—and form groups, instead of sitting at their desks. They brainstorm and illustrate routes by placing sticky notes throughout the room. They create a “gallery walk,” where each takes a turn acting as the docent, teaching the others as they tour human body, understanding and retaining the details of pharmacology as both teacher and student. Honing teaching skills is important for medical assistants in the real world, where they will regularly teach patients and often teach other MAs on the job.

Leadership, Professionalism, & Career Support

Professionalism and leadership are other built-in aspects of the CMA program. Students are taught the importance of not missing a moment: being on time means arriving early. A mentorship program gives students opportunities to be both mentee and mentor; new students are paired with more experienced students, whom they can turn to for support and guidance.

Teachers work hand and in hand with a very connected, involved Career Services department; they communicate daily about their students. Having the support of faculty who knows students well—their strengths as well as their challenges—can help match them to a great externship experience, and in turn, a great career.

Externship

Externship—the part of the CMA program when a student learns by working in a doctor’s office or clinic—is an incredibly valuable part of the program; it provides hands-on experience in a real-world setting. Although the CMA program lab mimics real-world situations well, nothing compares to being with a patient who is not a classmate. There is a confidence gained by finally applying all the learned skills, being professional, and thinking in the moment.

Externships at specialty offices—such as a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or pediatrician—give students additional experience and a more in-depth, real-life experience; they will finally see what they’d only mimicked in lab before.

Challenges & Success

Although challenges differ for each student, some find it challenging to adjust to the workload of an accelerated program. It can take students time to find a school/life balance and organize their time efficiently, but support is here for them through mentorship, career services, and a faculty that loves teaching, encourages students, and loves to see them succeed.

Medical assistants (MAs) may learn a diverse set of skills in school. But, once on the job, they learn even more. A medical assistant's duties include administrative and clinical tasks in outpatient clinics, ambulatory settings, hospitals, and doctors' offices.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates MA jobs to grow by 18% over the next decade, much higher than average. The American Association of Medical Assistants believes the surge in demand is related to the rising population of the elderly and improving technology.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

In most states, there are no formal requirements to become a certified medical assistant. You can be hired with a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training. There are also certificate programs that take about a year to complete and will train you in basic skills.

There are also postsecondary medical assistant degree programs at community colleges that offer an associate degree in about two years. However, with any formal training, you would still need to reinforce the skills learned in a classroom or lab with practical experience.

In an MA program, you will learn hard skills such as using medical equipment, taking vital signs, and collecting blood and specimen samples. Soft skills would include communication and interpersonal skills.

Hard and soft skills are reinforced with practice. MAs increase their soft skills in the first year through interactions with professionals and clients. These can include problem-solving, patience, critical thinking, and self-confidence.

If you're graduating soon and looking for your first job, check out the following list of hard skills you'll likely learn in your first year on the job.

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1. Phlebotomy and Specimen Collection

Phlebotomy is also called venipuncture. This is when a needle is placed inside a vein or capillary to collect blood. This skill is part of a medical assistant's clinical training.

Once out of school, medical assistants can get further education and certification, which is often a requirement for MAs working in a medical lab or hospital. Being a phlebotomist is an asset and can increase medical assistant salary potential. Hospitals may hire medical assistants who have the phlebotomy certification so that they can take blood samples from patients.

D'Vaughn House is a medical assistant at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Division of Infectious Diseases. He is familiar with the role medical assistants play in collecting body fluids, swabs, and specimens.

"In addition to collecting specimens, you will likely start [intravenous lines] and administer immunizations like hepatitis B and pneumonia," he says.

2. Clinic and Biohazard Safety

You may not have imagined that clinic and biohazard safety is part of a medical assistant job description.

Biohazards are substances dangerous to humans, animals, or the environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention groups biohazards into four distinct categories. Hazardous materials can include viruses, bacteria, fungi, toxins, carcinogens, and allergens.

Most hospitals have a biosafety office which assists health professionals in maintaining a safe environment compliant with regulations.

When you start your first job as a medical assistant, what you learn can depend on the area you are working in and the doctor or nurse with whom you're working. House began his career in a research unit. He learned to provide informed consent, collect specimens, and safely process them.

"Regardless of the task, an MA will learn principles of empathy and motivational interviewing techniques to ensure safety and data accuracy," he says.

3. Administrative Follow-up Skills

Medical assistants play a unique and important role in an outpatient setting. In their administrative role, they use specific knowledge of medical terminology and principles to appropriately schedule and confirm patient appointments. They may also be responsible for :

• Billing
• Processing payments
• Insurance claims
• Writing reports
• Correspondence

However, many medical assistants have crossover duties. For example, with short staffing, if the physician/provider has reviewed and signed off on lab results, the MA may report them to the patient. House works in a level 1 trauma center where MAs learn how to make those calls and translate medical language into "layman's terms," he says.

4. Electronic Medical Recording

Hospitals use electronic medical records (EMR) to record medical information for their patients. The software can also be integrated into the billing software, making it easier to bill insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Medical assistants are taught how to use electronic medical record systems in school. However, each hospital system will have its own EMR, so medical assistants must learn the software used at the organization.

All procedures and communications must be recorded. In case of a medical malpractice lawsuit, if something was not recorded then it was not completed.

The EMR may also be used with external communication, such as email. This allows patients to contact their doctor which can be automatically recorded in their medical records. Medical assistants help to manage these communications as well.

"During their first year, MAs learn how to collect specific data points like weight, substance abuse history, and medications," House says. "Upon a patient's arrival, the MA will create new medical records or update previous encounters."

5. Efficient Medical Supply Inventory

Hospitals, doctors' offices, and outpatient clinics must all maintain a list of medical inventory. When not properly monitored, it can impact the organization's efficiency and overburden the staff.

Poor management can lead to an outage of medicines, overstocked supplies, or inadequate disposal of expired medications. It is essential that when a physician orders a test, supplies are at hand.

Larger hospitals and clinics may use medical inventory software to improve patient safety. Smaller offices may use a single supply closet. Medical assistants maintain supplies and check expiration dates. Inventory in offices and outpatient clinics with controlled substances also helps prevent theft.

House points out that efficiency and supply management are essential, whether a medical assistant works in a surgical operating room, primary care office, or outpatient clinic. This is especially important during times when the supply chain is interrupted.

"During times of supply chain interruptions, [like the] COVID-19 pandemic, or emergencies, an MA's job is keeping track of what is necessary for medical appointments," House says.

In summary, MAs can learn hard and soft skills in an educational program, but on-the-job experiences will reinforce and enhance those skills.

Meet Our Contributor

D'Vaughn House

D'Vaughn House is a medical assistant at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) Division of Infectious Diseases (IDRU) in Ohio. He has been a part of this institution for nearly nine years. Before his work at the IDRU, House worked in the early intervention program at UCMC's emergency medicine department. His published works include several abstracts aimed at finding novel approaches to HIV testing and prevention in a level 1 trauma hospital setting.

Reviewed by:

Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, COI

Dr. Debra Sullivan is a nurse educator. She graduated from the University of Nevada with a PhD. She is currently a university nursing educator. Dr. Sullivan’s expertise includes cardiology, psoriasis/dermatology, pediatrics, and alternative medicine. She enjoys daily walks, reading, family, and cooking.

Page last reviewed November 30, 2021. Debra Sullivan is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.

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