Examples of ways that medical assistants can work at the top of their credential include stepping into the role of a flow manager, running team huddles, preplanning patient visits and completing various health screenings. Some organizations are now considering their most experienced medical assistants for the roles of a scribe, health coach, patient navigator, population health manager and patient care coordinator. As medical assistants broaden their skill set, there will be significant pressure to perform at a higher level in the areas of professionalism, informatics and performing clinical tasks. Elizabeth Thompson, medical practice administrator, Indiana University Health – Southern Indiana Physicians, believes that professionalism amongst MAs is increasing as a result of expanded roles in her organization. “The expectations are higher, and medical assistants are meeting these. As medicine moves to be more Lean, medical assistants understand that their role is vital because they are not as expensive as LPN/ RNs, but very vital to making ambulatory patient care work well,” said Thompson.
A Time to Shine
This is a unique period for medical assistants. Job opportunities are surging and the role of the medical assistant is expanding.
However, it is also a time in which organizations are sizing up medical assistants. Many organizations that either haven’t used medical assistants in the past or haven’t used medical assistants in expanded roles are experimenting to see if medical assistants are a good fit for their company.
Conversely, due to MA staffing shortages, companies are also experimenting with using other healthcare professionals to fill roles.
How can medical assistants answer the call during this great time of opportunity? MAs must work on skills and traits that are valuable to employers and patients. Pamala Smith said essential traits for medical assistants include “excellent customer service which ties into patient safety, the ability to multitask, being proficient with the EMR, and having good time management, the ability to think critically, being a self-directed learner, and the ability to effectively hand off if asked to do something out of your scope.” Thompson agreed that modern MAs must show their worth on multiple levels. “MAs can show that they meet expectations by being reliable, thorough, safe, and in general, providing support through day-to-day patient care as well as specialized care, such as teaching, performing medication reconciliation, becoming an EMR super user and precepting,” she said. In conclusion, recognition of medical assistants is at an all- time high and the role of medical assistants is expanding. As we enter this new era of healthcare, now is the time for medical assistants to shine. Now is the time for medical assistants to demonstrate they are up for the challenge by exuding professionalism and being committed to helping patients achieve their healthcare goals. Now is the time for medical assistants to validate their knowledge by becoming certified and investing in continuing education opportunities. Now is the time to pave a better path and better salaries for future medical assistants by earning the gift of today’s open doors. References 1. The Medical Assisting Education Market Report, © Gray Associates September 2015. As seen in NHA’s whitepaper, Medical As- sisting: Opportunities and Requirements for Growth. 2. Medical Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.bls.gov/ ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6 3. HealthCare, P. Patient-centered medical home: The Evolving Role of the Medical Assistant. Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.partners.org/Innovation-And-Leadership/Population-Health-Management/Stories/Role-Medical-Assistant-Video. aspx 4. Simon, S. (2016, January 7). Cancer Statistics Report: Death Rate Down 23% in 21 Years. Retrieved fromwww.cancer.org/cancer/ news/cancer-statistics-report-death-rate-down-23-percent-in-21-years 5. A Sea Change in Treating Heart Attacks. The New York Times. (June 21, 2015). Retrieved from http://www.nytimes. com/2015/06/21/health/saving-heart-attack-victims-stat.html?_r=0 6. Prevalence of Obesity in the U.S., 2011-2012. Obesity. The Journal of The American Medical Association. Retrieved from http:// jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1832542 7. Linking Obesity and Health Care. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/ healthcare/news/2012/05/21/11514/linking-obesity-and-health-care 8. American Community Survey, Health Insurance Coverage Status, 1-Year Estimates 2009-2014. 9. National Health Interview Survey, Early Release Program. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/in- sur201511.pdf 10. CDC. (November 14, 2016). Chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Retrieved January 18, 2017 fromhttps://www.cdc. gov/chronicdisease/ 11. Collaborating for Value; A Winning Strategy for Health Plans and Providers in a Shared Risk Environment. (2016). Retrieved Jan- uary 18, 2017, from http://www.intersystems.com/assets/Winning_Strategy-_for_Health_Plans_and_Providers_in_a_Shared_Risk_ Environment.pdf
14 SUMNER COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker