The Medical Assistant Professional (de facto)

What Is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is best defined as a de facto member of the health care team trained to assist licensed medical professionals, and practitioners. (*De facto is a Latin expression that means of the fact, or in practice, but not ordained by law). The title medical assistant may have legal status is some countries, but here in the United States it still remains a largely unregulated, and loosely defined group of health care workers helping doctors with patients.

 

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Trained Medical Assistants in the U.S.A.

Historically, medical assistants in the U.S.A. were trained on the job, usually by a doctor, or other practicing licensed medical professional who hired them. However, with the vast expansion of modern medicine knowledge, and technology there is an ever increasing demand for medical assistants that have graduated from vocational schools, technical institutes, community colleges, or recognized online educational programs, and have achieved their certifications.

Why Become a Medical Assistant?

All medical assistants MUST work under the direct supervision of a doctor, or licensed health care practitioner. If a medical assistant did not have any prior experience, or formal training they can be trained right on the job in form of clear instructions on what to do, and being shown how to do it.

Contributed by Jenny, MA Student
More in our Medical Assistant Forum

 You have to ask yourself why you want to be a medical assistant.  If it is for the money realize that it is average pay at best.  BUT if you want a job in the medical field where you can make a difference every day, I think you would enjoy being an MA!  This is the reason I'm doing it, not for the money, but for the good feeling of helping many people! 

The Medical Assistant's Role

Once adequately trained medical assistants must take great care to function only within their specific scope of practice appropriate for their state. This means, they can ONLY perform duties they are allowed to do, and provide direct patient care ONLY in the presence of a practicing physician, or licensed health care provider. Among other things, this includes strict rules for administering injections, and x-rays, starting IVs lines, and performing venipunctures.

What a Medical Assistant Is NOT!

A medical assistant is NOT a licensed, practicing healthcare professional! It is extremely important to understand that ALL medical assistants, whether certified, or not, are required to work under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare practitioner, such as a medical doctor, surgeon, or nurse practitioner. They are the supervising authority, and the only ones that are allowed to assign medical office routines, and health care procedures to a medical assistant under their license.

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