WelcomeThe mission of the Michigan Society Medical Assistants to enable medical assistant professionals to:

• enhance and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required by employers and patients;

• protect the medical assistant’s right to practice;

 • and promote effective, efficient, and safe healthcare delivery through the optimal use of multi-skilled Certified Medical Assistants {CMA(AAMA)}.

The MSMA 2012 Winter Conference is coming up in February. Read more information here!

We have the MSMA 2012 Spring Conference information here for you! Check it out!

Medical Assistants are in high demand as one of the most valuable members of the healthcare team according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics with predicted growth in job opportunities through 2012. This is due to the shift away from in-patient hospital care toward increased patient care in physician offices, clinics, and other outpatient settings.

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Employers may check CMA (AAMA) certification status. The AAMA Certifying Board implemented on-line certification verification on July 1, 2009. Since then, the site (http://www.aama-ntl.org/employers/verify.aspx) has been viewed close to 40,000 times. Although employers frequently use this site to verify the CMA (AAMA) certification status of potential and current employees, many still call AAMA instead at 1800 228 2262

Links of interest:

• The American Association of Medical Assistants

Scope of Practice

Description of the Profession of Medical Assisting

“Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated to work in ambulatory care settings performing administrative and clinical duties.  The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being, and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. “  (Medical Assistant Review Board 2008 )

Administrative medical assistant duties may include...

• Using computer applications

• Answering telephones

• Greeting patients

• Updating and filing patient medical records

• Coding and filling out insurance forms

• Scheduling appointments

• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services

• Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping

Clinical duties may include...

• Taking medical histories

• Explaining treatment procedures to patients

• Preparing patients for examination

• Assisting the physician during the exam

• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens

• Performing basic laboratory tests

• Instructing patients about medication and special diets

• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician

• Authorizing prescription refills as directed

• Drawing blood

• Taking electrocardiograms

• Removing sutures and changing dressings