EXPLORE TOP MEDICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATIONS HERE!

      or... 

Check who's giving you your Botox shot...

Are doctors allowing medical assistants to illegally administer certain drugs?

In the news:

[Sep 9, 2009 09:17 PM, abc 13 Action News] Nevada Board of Medical Examiners finds underqualified medical staff administering drugs... Next time you visit the doctors office, check to see who's giving you a shot. The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners has found many physicians in Nevada are allowing medical assistants to illegally administer certain drugs, including Botox.

Read full article: http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=11103330

And so the confusion about the medical assistant's scope of practice continues! It seems many doctors still do not clearly understand what medical assistants can and cannot do...

Where Can I Go for Answers?

Resources which may be useful to those who seek guidance as to whether specific tasks are within the medical assistant's scope of practice, or not, may include the State Board of Medical Examiners, State Medical Board, professional literature, medical assistant textbooks, national guidelines, practice recommendations for specialty fields, and resources from professional membership organizations.

Important! 

Medical Regulating Bodies

The Medical Practice Act and the Board of Medical Examiners govern the practice of medicine to protect the health, safety and well being of citizens in the United States of America! These boards have ruled that physicians are accountable for the actions of medical assistants under their employ. Therefore a good place to start asking questions regarding the medical assistant's scope of practice is the State Board of Medical Examiners.

Guidance and Information:

Your State Department of Public Health
Contact your local Health department.

National Professional Membership and Certification Bodies
Certified medical assistants may also receive guidance regarding their scope of practice from their professional association or certifying body's local chapter. Here are some medical assistant scope of practice links sorted by state.

Your State Medical Board
The State Medical Board may investigate, assess, and handle certain questions, or concerns, and can determine whether a complaint represents unprofessional conduct.