Intro Chapter 18: Lesson 068-Patient Care Medical and Surgical .

​​​Hello young doctors and nurses!

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​The healthcare system is a vital part of any society and hence one needs a good grasp of it to be an efficient health care professional.

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​Which is why it is important to learn about Today's Healthcare System! and more specifically; Medical assistants and Surgical Technologists.

​Subtopic 1:Overview.

This is a general overview of what medical assistants do.

​They do;

• Administrative tasks like office procedures.

• Clinical tasks including examining patients and helping treat them

• Work settings: doctors’ offices, imaging centers, laboratories, research facilities

• Perform limited roles than that of physician assistants.

• However, they have no authority to diagnose or treat patients

​Subtopic 1:Overview.

​Subtopic 2: History of the profession. kn

​-This is how the profession, Medical Assistants came to be.

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• Early 20th century: Office assistants are trained to perform administrative tasks.

• 1924: M. M. Mandl opened first school to train assistants to physicians

• 1956: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) founded

• 1963: AAMA’s certification exam first administered

• Early 1990s: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is formed.

​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

​- The educational requirements are:

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·        Complete 1- or 2-year medical assisting program offered by vocational-technical high schools, post-secondary vocational schools and colleges.

·         Nearly 600 accredited programs available including internship.

·    For professional growth and development,   continuing education is required for recertification which is also essential to stay current in field and competitive in job market   

·         Training for advanced procedures (taking x-rays, giving injections) in some states.

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​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

- The course work for medical assistants is a wide field which encompasses medical and administrative duties.

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- Medical duties entail:

• Being knowledgeable in anatomy and physiology

• Understanding medical terminologies, clinical and diagnostic procedures.

• Being well equipped with laboratory techniques, administering medications and first aid and Pharmacology.

​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

​- Administrative duties include:

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• ​Office practices such as typing and transcription

• Computer applications

• Insurance processing

• Recordkeeping and accounting.

• Patient relations

• Understanding medical law and ethics

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​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

-Professional certifications are not necessary but having them is an added advantage.

​-Some certifications include;

• CMA (AAMA): certified medical assistant

• RMA (AMT): registered medical assistant.

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-It requires graduation from accredited medical assisting program and passing an exam.

-Certifications are awarded in specialty areas available for example, ophthalmology, optometry and podiatry.

​Subtopic 3: Education, Training and Legal requirements. k3

​Subtopic 4: Work responsibilities. k3

​- Work responsibilities of Medical Assistants include ;

• Obtaining medical histories.

• Assisting with physical examinations.

• Preparing and administering medications.

• Drawing blood samples.

• Assisting with or performing diagnostic, basic laboratory tests or minor office surgery.

• Preparing and sterilizing instruments.

​Subtopic 4: Work responsibilities. k3

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• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens.

• Recognizing and treating medical emergencies

• Educating patients about tests, procedures, medications, special diets, health maintenance and disease prevention.

​Subtopic 5: Personal Characteristics of Medical Assistants. k3

-While relating with other medical assistants, good personal characteristics such as the following should be displayed.

• Communications skills: verbal, listening and writing.

• Organization skills: maintaining medical records, financial data, supplies

• Time management skills: scheduling and time keeping.

• Multitasking: setting priorities and planning logical sequence for completing all tasks

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Having an eye for detail

• Ability to remain calm during stressful situations and emergencies.

​Subtopic 5: Personal Characteristics of Medical Assistants. k3

​Subtopic 6: Employment opportunities and trends k3

​-The profession is among the 16 fastest growing occupation at 34% from 2008 to 2018.

-The demand is due to:

• Rising number of group practices, clinics and other health care facilities

• Dual administrative and clinical skills of medical assistants

• Aging of population

• Prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes

• Increased number of patients seen by physicians

• Lower-cost alternative to higher-wage workers

​Subtopic 6: Employment opportunities and trends k3

​Subtopic 7: Proffessional overview.k3

- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is one of the main organizations in the US. It:

• Helps medical assistants improve knowledge, skills, and professionalism

• Protects right to practice

• Promotes effective health care delivery through professional credentials.

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-American Medical Technologists (AMT) was founded in 1939 currently with a membership of 41,000

• Strong emphasis on continuing education

• It holds annual convention, state society meetings and seminars.

​Subtopic 7: Proffessional overview.k3

Benefits of membership include:

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• Access to educational seminars

• Access to continuing education units

• Subscription to professional journals

• Access to annual conventions

• Group insurance plans

• Networking opportunities

​Subtopic 1: History.k3

-A modern profession which emerged after World War II

• Military trained its own technicians during war, set standards for civilian technicians

• 1969: Association of Operating Room Technicians formed later renamed as Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)

• 1972: AMA approved educational standards and accreditation review committee was formed

• AST established certification program, code of ethics and standards of practice

• AST participates in accreditation review committee and defines core curriculum for accredited schools

​Subtopic 2: Education, training and legal requirements.k3

-​For education, atleast a high school diploma or completion of a training program required.

• Training program ranges from 9 months to 2 years, leading to a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.

• Programs are offered by community and junior colleges, vocational schools, universities, hospitals and military.

• Training includes classroom instruction, mock surgery and supervised work in hospitals.

​Subtopic 2: Education, training and legal requirements.k3

​Subtopic 2: Education, training and legal requirements.k3

-Course work entails;

• Anatomy and physiology, understanding medical terminologies, knowledge in microbiology and pharmacology.

• Surgical procedures and sterile techniques

• Patient care and safety.

• Legal, moral, and ethical issues.

• Basic communication and professional skills.

​Subtopic 2: Education, training and legal requirements.k3

-Professional certifications are not required, but preferred by employers.

-Requires graduation from accredited school and passing an exam.

- Some certifications are:

• CST: certified surgical technologist

It's awarded by National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

• TS-C: tech in surgery-certified

  • Awarded by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

  • Requires completion of recognized training program, work experience, or a combination

​Subtopic 2: Education, training and legal requirements.k3

​Subtopic 3: Work responsibilities.k3

-Before an operation they; prepares operating room, checks and all places instruments and equipment, provides emotional support to patient, checks patient charts, monitors vital signs, transports patient to operating room, positions patient on operating table and finally creates and maintains sterile field.

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-During an operation they; passes instruments, equipment and supplies to surgeon, monitors vital signs, operates equipment, manages specimens collected finally, prepares dressings and applies them to incision site.

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-After an operation they; takes patient to recovery room, removes used supplies, and sets up operating room for next patient.

​Subtopic 3: Work responsibilities.k3

​Subtopic 4: Personal Characteristics.k3

​-A surgical technologist should show the following personal characteristics;

• Strong sense of responsibility

• Conscientiousness about work

• Organizational skills

• Attention to details

• Accuracy and precision

• Ability to work well with others

• Calmness during stressful conditions

• Good physical condition

​Subtopic 5: Employment opportunities and trends.

​-Rapidly growing with a rate of 25% between 2008 and 2018

-In demand due to:

• Increase in surgeries due to population growth and aging of population

• Technological advances, leading to new surgical procedures

​Subtopic 6: Professional organization

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-Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)

• Ensures surgical technologists have knowledge and skills required

• Works to advance profession by setting accreditation standards and lobbying

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- Membership benefits include:

• Free and discounted continuing education

• Career center

• Subscription to the surgical technologist and annual conferences.