Norcross Students Place In Local Hosa Competition
This past March, 12 medical assisting students from the Norcross Altierus campus in Atlanta competed against 4,000 other students from 84 different schools in the region. Betty Wilkins, a Medical Assisting instructor for Altierus, applied for and received a Campaign for Innovation grant from the ECMC Foundation. The grant paid for HOSA membership fees, student uniforms, travel, and other expenses.
Students participated in competitions which tested their healthcare knowledge and skills. Five of those students placed in their respective events.
Who Can Perform Venipuncture
In healthcare, this procedure is performed by medical laboratory scientists, medical practitioners, some EMTs, paramedics, phlebotomists, dialysis technicians, and other nursing staff. In veterinary medicine, the procedure is performed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
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Medical Assisting Program Of Study
Medical assisting programs of study prepare students to work safely in the healthcare field under the supervision of licensed healthcare providers.
Program components may include administrative practices and procedures laboratory and diagnostic procedures principles of pharmacology standards, laws and regulations infection control medical terminology and patient communication and first aid/CPR. The didactic learning combined with supervised clinical experience comprises a program of study.
Programs should consider technical assessment and certification opportunities available through Certified Medical Assistant by the American Association of Medical Assistants and/or the National Healthcareer Association Certified Clinical Medical Assistant .
For resources and certification options pertaining to Phlebotomy please visit PhlebotomyTraining.org.
Health sciences education prepares secondary and adult students for employment in the health care industry and for postsecondary education. The three integral components of all health sciences programs of study are a health science education core curriculum, content specific curriculum, and supervised clinical experience.
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About The Health Sciences Center
The Health Sciences Center is Schoolcraft Colleges newest facility, opening at partial occupancy in the spring of 2022. Now fully operational, it features:
- 110,800 square feet
- 5 computer labs
- 23 labs, including 2 for Health Information specialty labs
These outstanding facilities are complemented by experienced and enthusiastic professors and instructors who share a wealth industry knowledge with their students.
What I feel I bring to the program is real-world experience training for students, Bishop said. It is something you cannot learn in a book. I also have a good grasp on the direction of the industry as it relates to ambulatory practices.
Hawaii Medical Assistant Scope Of Practice
In Hawaii, medical assistants are not allowed to perform any task which requires professional clinical judgment, evaluation, diagnosis, or interpretation. Medical assistants in Hawaii are allowed to give injections, perform aseptic procedures, and assist with procedures, as long as a licensed provider has assessed the patient and task to ensure that it is appropriate.
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Does A Medical Assistant Draw Blood
Doing blood tests is one way that doctors learn about your health. Used to diagnose illness and identify health risks, a test or two is part of most annual physicals. But who draws the blood, and does it require another trip to the hospital? Nurses and doctors have a busy schedule, and medical assistants help patients accelerate the process by performing phlebotomy in the physicians office.
Louisiana Medical Assistant Scope Of Practice
Louisiana has very specific regulations about which medications cannot be given by a medical assistant. These include oxygen, narcotics, blood products, intravenous medications, and insulin. Medical assistants must complete formal training in medication administration before they are allowed to administer any type of medication.
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How Does A Medical Assistant Draw Blood
Drawing blood is a simple yet complex process that starts well before the sample is drawn.
Steps include:
Review the Order
Phlebotomy is performed under a doctors order. Requisitions list which tests they want, determining which equipment and protocols youll use to draw the blood.
Screen the Patient
Medical assistants are responsible for patient safety, so the phlebotomy process has been somewhat standardized to limit errors. Still, youll need a sharp eye and sound clinical judgment.
Before drawing, you will:
Verify the patients identity â drawing blood on the wrong patient subjects them to an unpleasant and unnecessary medical procedure. And if the error isnt caught, results could end up in the wrong persons chart, affecting treatment decisions. Always check the patients name and date of birth.
Confirm compliance with restrictions â some tests require fasting for accuracy. Patients who dont comply risk unreliable results.
Check the patients health history â you may need alternative equipment for patients with an allergy to any of the supplies used in the venipuncture process. Some people, for example, react to latex, skin disinfectants and bandage adhesives.
Evaluate the patient and gather supplies â the supplies youll use depend, in part, on the tests orders. However, youll need to make adjustments based on the clients age, size and health status. Preparing the proper equipment before you get started helps the process go smoothly.
Process the Samples
Alaska Medical Assistant Scope Of Practice
In Alaska, a medical assistant can only perform tasks that have been delegated to them by a licensed provider. The Alaska standards of delegation state that before a provider can assign a task to an unlicensed provider , they must assess the patient to make sure that the task is safe and appropriate. Medical assistants may not care for patients who are critically ill or unstable.
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What Kind Of Equipment Does A Medical Assistant Use For Venipuncture
Tools ofthe trade include:
Glovesuniversalprecautions require considering most body fluids, including blood, aspotentially contaminated. Anyone performing venipuncture must protectthemselves with gloves.
AlcoholPads used tocleanse the area where the needle will be inserted. Whenever the outer layer ofthe skin is punctured, theres potential for infection. Alcohol doesntsterilize skin, but it does help disinfect it when combined with a vigorousscrubbing motion.
Needles come in all shapes and sizes toaccommodate different veins. Their diameter is measured by gauge from 14 to 27.The larger the gauge, the smaller the needle is. Why so many choices? Because amedical assistant may need to draw to blood from patients of all ages. A 25 Gneedle, for example, is recommended for children. Most adults require a 20 or22 G.
Needlesare also measured by length. In an office setting, blood is most often drawnfrom the medial cubital vein at the bend of the elbow. But in some patients,the vein runs deeper than usual, and it can be difficult to reach with a standardone-inch needle. Phlebotomists choose the most appropriate needle length basedon the size of the patient, the location of the vein and the angle of approach.
Tubes arecolor-coded because they contain different additives required for specifictests. Tube colors vary by brand, and how theyre used by differentlaboratories is consistent, but not standardized.
Clinical Medical Assistant Duties
Many facilities arrange things so that the bulk of their medical assistants day is filled with clinical work. Clinical medical assistants work as a type of nursing assistant. Daily clinical medical assistant duties may include:
- Establishing initial contact with the patient
- Taking their vital signs
- Performing basic medical tasks such as removing stitches or changing wound dressings
- Prepping patients for x-rays
- Setting up the rooms for the next patient
- Running basic lab tests
- Running EKGs if needed
- Giving injections
Medical assistants who go through a structured medical assistant certification training program are skilled at each of these tasks and are comfortable working with the different types of medical equipment.
The training makes a huge difference when graduates start applying for jobs. The medical assistant certification training not only increases their ability to be hired but also allows them to request a higher salary.
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What Is A Medical Assistant And What Do They Do
Choosing to work in healthcare is a smart move for many reasons. Youll find ample job opportunities all over the country and will feel satisfied in having a significant impact on the lives of those you interact with each day. In particular, medical assisting schools allow you to complete a program and dive into the job quickly.
So what does a medical assistant do? Midwest Institute has all the information you need about medical assistant schools and medical assisting in St. Louis.
The Future Of Medical Assisting
The role of the medical assistant is evolving. As the healthcare industry changes, so does the scope of practice for medical assistants. With the introduction of new technology and treatment modalities, medical assistants are increasingly taking on more responsibilities.
One area that medical assistants are increasingly being trained in is phlebotomy, or the drawing of blood. While this has traditionally been a task performed by nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals, medical assistants are often able to perform this task with proper training.
There are many reasons why certified medical assistants may be asked to perform phlebotomy. One reason is that it is a less invasive procedure than some other types of blood tests, and so it can be less stressful for patients. Additionally, certified medical assistants can often obtain blood samples more quickly than other healthcare professionals, which can be helpful in emergency situations.
Phlebotomy training for certified medical assistants typically includes both didactic and clinical components. The didactic component covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, as well as proper technique for drawing blood. The clinical component allows students to practice their skills on live patients under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
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How Do You Learn Phlebotomy And Become A Medical Assistant
You can become a medical assistant and learn phlebotomy by enrolling in a vocational school medical assisting program. Youll learn theory in the classroom while practicing on peers and simulators. Most programs also include off-site externships in healthcare settings where you can shadow an experienced medical assistant and practice your skills on patients.
Full-time students can graduate in as little as a year with the technical and people skills needed to succeed. Youll learn from seasoned instructors wholl show you the ropes and support you while you learn. By graduation day, youll be a confident phlebotomist.
Administrative Medical Assisting Jobs
Organized, detail-oriented medical assistants thrive in an administrative setting. If you choose to specialize in the non-clinical side of medical assisting, you may spend more time as a medical biller and coder or as an administrative assistant.
As a medical biller and coder, youll analyze records, keep track of patient data, determine codes for insurance billing, and work closely with physicians to ensure accuracy.
Organized, detail-oriented medical assistants thrive in an administrative setting.
Administrative medical assistants schedule appointments, fill out insurance forms, and record patient information. They typically work closely with healthcare administrators crafting documents, taking meeting notes, and completing other office tasks.
As you begin your search for a medical assistant school, youll find that a strong curriculum will cover both administrative and clinical tasks. Upon graduating, you should be comfortable working in both settings, although youll likely need on-the-job training for a specialized medical office.
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Phlebotomy Skills For Medical Assistants
Medical assistants have many skills that are learned during the vocational program. However, the best medical assistants that perform phlebotomy are:
Compassionate
Many adults are afraid of needles, and some even suffer from extreme fear called trypanophobia. Rates are higher in children and teens. For them, phlebotomy isnt routine. As a medical assistant, the ability to put yourself in their shoes and address the anxiety they feel is essential for success.
Critical Thinkers
Drawing blood requires sound clinical judgment. Vocational school programs cover the basics from needle selection to safe positioning, but it takes common sense to apply these principles in the real world. The best phlebotomists get to know their patients, making decisions based on their clinical expertise and personal experience.
Detail-Oriented
Many lab errors happen when blood is drawn. Inaccurate labels and poor-quality submissions related to faulty techniques result in samples being rejected. Detail-oriented medical assistants are less likely to make mistakes resulting in the need for repeat draws.
Confident
Anxiety is contagious. A fearful patient can tell when a phlebotomist is uneasy, so its important to be self-assured. Most new medical assistants have difficulty drawing blood at first, but it gets easier with practice. Until it does, remember that patients are counting on you for support, so project confidence.
How Is Phlebotomy Performed
Drawing blood, or phlebotomy, is among a medical assistants most marketable skills. Lets take a closer how the process works and the equipment youll use.
The Phlebotomy Process
From reviewing the order to processing samples, medical assistants can manage the entire phlebotomy process from beginning to end by following these steps:
Step #1: Check the Order Phlebotomy requisitions include all the information necessary to perform the draw. The equipment and supplies youll need will vary based on the tests being ordered, so youll review them carefully before assembling equipment.
Step #2: Screen the Patient Phlebotomy is a safe procedure but knowing more about the client helps you ensure their safety. Before the draw, you will:
- Confirm the patients identity
- Verify that they followed pretest restrictions, such as fasting
- Explain the procedure and what to expect
- Screen for allergies to supplies such as disinfectants or bandage adhesive
- Position the client safely
Most people can sit, but patients with a history of fainting should lay down.
Step #3: Draw the Sample The blood draw is the shortest part of the phlebotomy process and takes only a few minutes:
- Wash your hands
- Label the specimen tubes, accuracy is critical.
- Instruct the patient on home care measures for bruising and when to expect results
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Is It Better To Be A Lpn Or Medical Assistant
One of the major differences between medical assistants and LPNs is their earning potential. Because LPNs are licensed nurses, they typically earn higher salaries than medical assistants. Medical assistants have an average salary of $15.63 per hour, while LPNs earn an average salary of $26.33 per hour.
Pursue Your Medical Assistant Career
Though these responsibilities may encompass a considerable portion of medical assistant job tasks, its important to remember that the precise duties required by a given position will vary based on employer, facility, and several other factors. Plus, theres a good chance youll be tasked with duties from both categories especially if you plan to work in a smaller clinic.
No matter where you plan to work, Prism Career Institute offers the in-depth, hands-on education you need to help kick-start an exciting career in an ever-growing field. Prism Career Institute trains medical assistant students at our locations in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Begin your medical assistant career by applying to Prism Career Institute today.
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Can A Medical Assistant Draw Blood
Yes, a medical assistant can draw blood, but only if they are working under a doctor’s license. Certain states require a phlebotomist certification for medical assistants to be able to draw blood, including:
While a medical assistant can draw blood when they work in a doctor’s office, and under a physician’s license, this seldom is the case. Medical assistants mostly work in a clerical capacity and do not private services related to patient care often.
A medical assistant is a professional who focuses on scheduling, clerical, and billing tasks. Medical assistants may work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, or other medical facilities. Their job centers around many administrative duties.
Medical assistants may be tasked with reaching out to patients to schedule appointments or follow-up care. Medical assistants also have a role in bookkeeping and billing. Most of their duties are performed at a desk in a medical facility.
Why Is Blood Drawn From Patients
Many people get nervous about having their blood drawn, but it is an incredibly helpful tool for medical professionals. Analyzing blood can help diagnose illnesses, determine risk factors and determine the effectiveness of current medications. A blood test can help detect:
- Cholesterol levels
In the exam room, medical assistants may help by:
The exact role of a medical assistant may differ from one office to another. Some larger offices hire separate medical assistants to work the front office and back office, giving the medical assistants in those offices a chance to specialize in more administrative versus clinical tasks. Other offices may require a medical assistant to do bothcreating a comfortable experience for patients who begin to recognize the staff they work with often.
Restrictions placed on what a medical assistant can and cannot do also vary by state. Some states require specific certifications for specific tasks. Every medical assistant acts under the direction of a physician, registered nurse, or certified medical assistant. This is also why quality training is so important. A good training program will tell you what is permitted in your state and prepare you for a job as soon as you graduate.
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Georgia Medical Assistant Scope Of Practice
Georgia law allows medical assistants to perform venous blood draws and administer medications by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. However, in order to perform these tasks, a licensed provider must be present in the building.
A medical assistant can perform other tasks like taking vital signs without a provider in-house.
Connecticut Medical Assistant Scope Of Practice
Connecticut does not require you to be certified before working as a medical assistant.
The Department of Health in Connecticut has specific language prohibiting medical assistants from administering medications.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health states, âExamples of specifically prohibited activities are radiography and medication administration by any route .â
However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, medical assistants with special training have been allowed to administer vaccinations.
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