...Ethics Case Study Kathy Conway HCS/335 January 0, 2012 James Dockins Ethics Case Study The role of the office medical assistant varies greatly from not only state to state but from office to office as well. Most states however do require some type of formal training and there are different levels of what the assistant is allowed to do depending on the levels of education and certifications. Medical assistants are not the same as physician assistants and so the medical assistant requires a physician to be present when treating a patient. The role of most medical assistants is more of an administrative nature, they work alongside the physician and other staff member doing what is necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the practice (London, 2011). There are many things an office assistant can do to assist in the daily operations of a physician’s practice besides answering a telephone. They may help obtain the patients health histories, the reason for that day’s visit, and the taking of vital signs. They are allowed to do so because the physician is right there in the office and not outside the building (London, 2011). Jerry McCall Jerry McCall has a big dilemma because he is the only one in the office at the time a call comes into the office for a last minute refill of a prescription. The dilemma is that the patient needs a prescription of Valium refilled before he heads to the airport and only has a very...
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...Medical Assistant Law and Rules § 43-34-44. Role of medical assistants clarified Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the performance by medical assistants of medical tasks, including subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; obtaining vital signs; administering nebulizer treatments; or other tasks approved by the board pursuant to rule, if under the supervision by a physician in his or her office; provided, however, that this shall not require on-site supervision at all times, or the performance by medical assistants of medical tasks ordered by a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse delegated the authority to issue such an order in accordance with law and pursuant to rules of the board. HISTORY:...
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...many physicians are protecting themselves by ordering multiple testing procedures, some of which might not be needed. In addition, many patients no longer want older, more conservative approaches to testing and diagnosis – and these newer tests are more expensive. All healthcare professionals need to pay attention to the wishes of their patients. And in the circumstances where the patients has given family members or others authority to make a healthcare decision on their behalf, healthcare professionals must respect the patient’s wishes. They also should use care not to place their own opinions ahead of the decisions of physicians or other healthcare professionals made in consultation with the patient. As with the case of Jerry McCall, his job is an Office Assistant and Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants...
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...Job Title: Medical Assistant The job description of medical assistants varies depending on the specialty of the practitioner, location of work, size of the clinic or hospital. In a small practice, the medical assistant has an enormous range of learning as they are tasked with clinical and administrative tasks. In a large practice, a medical assistant have a tendency to concentrate in a precise area under the direction of the department leader. A medical assistant is different from a physician assistant. As a physician assistant’s task is to check the condition of the patients, treat and understand their health problems under the direction of the doctor or physician. Medical Assistant’s are tasked with a host of duties. Duties include but not limited to assistance and caring for others by providing medical attention, personal assistance, and emotional support to patients. Dialog with peers, subordinates or supervisors by providing information either by email, telephone, face to face or in written form. Gathering patient’s medical information and documenting for the attending physician. A medical assistant must be able to indentify information by estimating, categorizing and detecting changes in events or circumstances. A medical assistant must use individual judgment and appropriate information to decide whether processes or events meet the terms with regulations, standard or laws. A medical assistant needs to develop cooperative and constructive working relationships...
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...Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician (www.bls.gov). Some medical assistants may help doctors examine and treat patients. They may check the height, weight, temperature, and blood pressure of each patient. Assistants write down patients' medical histories and run simple laboratory tests. Sometimes they answer patients' questions about medicines and treatment at home. Assistants may also give injections, apply bandages, and take X-rays. Many assistants take electrocardiograms, which measure the electrical impulses of the heart. Medical assistants are sometimes in charge of buying and maintaining medical equipment and furniture for the doctor's office. They may also act as office managers. They plan the doctor's schedule...
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...HRM Project- Physician Assistant Sandy Matariyeh Rasmussen College Author Note: This research is being submitted on December 8, 2012, for Christopher McChesney’s B165 Introduction to Human Resource Management Course. Physician assistant is a job that I have been interested in for the past seven years. I was never aware of the position until I was hired as a medical assistant for a family practice of five physicians and one physician assistant. I always had a dream to become a physician, but it never seemed like it would ever work out, with all the required schooling, it seemed like it would take too long. Physician assistants practice medicine under the direction of a doctor. They are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. From what I have seen they do almost everything a doctor does and it requires less schooling. This is a position I see myself working towards because I have a passion for helping people. Physician Assistant also known as a PA, typically work under the supervision of a physician or surgeon. PA’s provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services (Physician Assistant, 2012). PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret lab tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes (Quick Facts). There are several ways a PA can benefit the organization; due to their general medical background they...
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...Nursing Job Descriptions The many faces of the professional nurse The title of Nurse has many applications in modern medicine. Each specific type of nurse has a different set of responsibilities: Registered nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners, head nurses or nurse supervisors, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), nursing home nurses, Home Health Nurses, and nursing aides. While there are many shared tasks, these nursing professions require special skills and different levels of patient interactions. We've compiled the many nursing job descriptions below: Nursing Forum: Join the discussion about nursing careers and education. Registered Nurse job description (RN) Registered Nurses (RNs) comprise the largest group of healthcare workers. To become an RN, students must learn what it takes to work directly with patients and their families. They are the primary point of contact between the patient and the world of health care, both at the bedside and in out-patient settings. RNs perform frequent patient evaluations, including monitoring and tracking vital signs, performing procedures such as IV placement, phlebotomy, and administering medications. Because the RN is much more regular contact with patients than are physicians, the RN is usually first to notice problems or raise concerns about patient progress. RN job descriptions also include developing the day-to-day nursing care plans both in the hospital and for care after discharge, to be administered by families and visiting nurses...
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...the Pre-Professional field. Pre-Medical is a very broad career path which includes: Medical Technologists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Medical Lab Assistants, Medical Assistants, Medical Administrative Specialists, Phlebotomy Technicians, Dental Assistants, Allied Health Instructors, and Clinical Laboratory Consultants. Anesthesiology is part of a Medical-Technologist. This paper will include the job description, salary, demands of the job, work experience needed, benefits, education, activities, and daily routine of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists are Doctors of Medicine (MDs) that concentrate on the care of surgical patients and pain relief. As with other physicians, they evaluate and treat patients and direct the efforts of those on their staffs. Some of the primary responsibilities of an anesthesiologist include examining patient to determine the type of anesthetic needed, communicating all relevant information to the appropriate medical practitioners, and administering local, intravenous, or spinal anesthetic to the patient. Other duties may include recording the type and amount of anesthesia administered, maintaining the patient’s vital life functions (i.e. heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing) through continual monitoring and assessment during surgery, and conferring with other physicians and surgeons to determine the condition of a patient before, during, and after sedation. Anyone interested in this medical specialty must be dedicated...
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...schools across the country. Associate degree programs are the most common and usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s degree programs are also available, and these take 4 years to complete. Some schools also offer certificate programs. • Broadcast technicians work for radio and television broadcasters, cable providers, and other television service companies. Some work full-time, while others are self-employed and work on a contract basis. They work for a set amount of time and a set amount of money. ❖ In California • Makes an average of $47,290 a year. • Employment outlook for 2016 is 4,100 people. • (Same qualities needed as in Georgia) • (Same education needed as in Georgia) • (Same job description as in Georgia) *A Camera Operator: ❖ In Georgia • Makes on average of $59,000 a year. • Employment outlook for 2016 is 1,030 people. • Qualities needed for this position are good vision and hearing, being able to remain alert for long hours, being creative, having a flair for the visual arts and technology and being able to follow directions in highly stressful situations. • Education needed is 2-year...
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...Ethics Case Study HCS/335 April 6, 2015 Beryl Keegan Ethics is a very important aspect in someone life either it’s from a professional or personal stand point. With having ethics help individuals with determining whether their action is right or wrong. Interpersonal ethics are essential within any career. Healthcare is a number one profession where ethics is essential, due to the fact you are dealing people from all different type of lifestyles and situations. In this case study, Jerry McCall is Dr.Williams office assistant. He has received professional training in both a medical assistant and LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium and antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. H states Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him supply of Valium when he as to fly. Only Jerry is in the office at this time. Jerry is unable to provide the patient with the medication that he needs for his flight. When prescribing a medication the prescribed practioner is responsible in case the prescription given cause any harm or doesn’t conform in all essential respect the law and regulations."(Federal Register Volume 75, Number 193). Jerry needs to apologize for the inconvience and advise the patient under the penalty...
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...happy by doing him a favor that could cost Jerry his job among severe legal issues. A patient calling Dr. Williams office and asking for a prescription while he is not there is not the issue. The issue is if Jerry authorizes the refill, this is not within Jerry’s scope. As a Medical Assistant there are many functions that a person is allowed to perform, therefore it is very important for Jerry to understand his job description, and especially his limitations. As a Medical Assistant Jerry can perform many duties including, escorting patients to exam room, prepare them for an exam, change wound dressings, drawing blood (depending on state laws) obtain wound cultures, remove sutures or staples from superficial incisions or lacerations, provide patient information and instructions; among many more duties (Buppert, 2008). There are some other duties that Jerry can perform, which are “administering medications topically, sublingually, vaginally rectally and by injection” and also providing the patient with a single dose of oral medication only when ordered by the physician, to a patient for immediate self-administration under observation. These are just some of the limitations that a Medical Assistant faces, which in this case Jerry is facing this (Balasa, JD,MBA, 2012). Although Jerry has previous Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) training, he is still unable to prescribe medications to a patient without and authorizing physician. Any type of medication refills or new prescriptions...
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...amount of stress and anxiety for the patient and create a negative face for the health care industry. The wrong type of communication can actually have the opposite effect that is desired when caring for a patient. Improper and ineffective communication can actually lead patients to become wary of their providers and noncompliant with recommended treatments. One goal all providers should keep in mind is to properly convey all messages in a clear and concise manner for the benefit of the patient and the health care community at large. In scenario #2-Vivian a patient presents to a doctor’s office with complaints of abdominal pain for several weeks. She has just been able to go to the doctors after obtaining new health insurance from a new job. One arrival to a drab office...
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...scenario we will discuss how small organizations can successfully implement EMRs, enhance their core mission of delivering quality care, and minimize security and patient health risks. The family practice we are investigating has been established in the New Tampa area in 1990*. Currently it employs 3 physicians, one nurse practitioner, one nurse and two staff assistants. It provides services to more than 1500 patients and last year had 4000 patient visits. When the practice first opened, each patient’s chart included a double-sided standard sheet of paper created for each visit, test results, images, progress notes, prescribed medication and demographics information. The size of these charts has been increased exponentially since then and in 2009 the practice has decided to move forward with an EMR implementation. The practice has been using an electronic billing and scheduling system for years, however the personnel was skeptical for the EMR implementation since an unsuitable system could destroy the continuity of the patient’s medical record, incur additional costs and disrupt patient care and staff function. A committee comprised of one physician, the nurse and one staff assistant was formed to define the EMR requirements. Unfortunately, the practice did not have a budget for IT support. Luckily, the nurse had training in nursing informatics and became the internal IT consultant. After extensive research, the committee decided to invite two vendors for an onsite demonstration...
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...1. The percentage of all healthcare providers who are physicians and nurses is: a. 25%. b. 40%. c. 50%. d. 60%. Answer: b EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 2. The percentage of all healthcare providers who are allied health professionals is: a. 25%. b. 40%. c. 50%. d. 60%. Answer: d EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 3. The increased demand for medical billers, medical office assistants, and medical coders can be attributed to: a. the growth of managed care. b. physician practices having more responsibility for filing claims. c. the need for additional staff to file claims and work to obtain timely payment. d. all of the above. Answer: d EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 4. All of the following changes were a result of managed care EXCEPT: a. physicians having to wait 30 days or longer for payment. b. physicians having more responsibility for filing claims. c. patients having to pay for services when rendered. d. physicians having to add to their staff. Answer: c EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 5. Before the 1970s, a physician’s practice would grow based on: a. advertising and referrals. b. managed care contracts. c. consultations. d. hospital affiliations. Answer: a EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 6. Before the 1970s, a solo practice included all of the following staff members EXCEPT: a. physician. b. nurse. c. certified medical biller. d. receptionist. Answer: c EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 7. Managed care is a system in which physicians contract to participate in a health insurance network...
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...regulations. Some allied health professionals may be tempted to inappropriately use their position because of a personal feeling of empowerment. There are always ethical and legal issues that influence outcomes and this care is just another example of the difficulties that allied health professionals face every day. Jerry is trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and currently working as a medical assistant. Jerry’s training allows him to provide general assessments, administer medications, and provide treatments. As an LPN, he is able to administer oral medications, as well as some injectable medications. Also, as a medical assistant, Jerry is also responsible for varying levels of clerical work, which may include the writing of scripts. This is more of a common practice today because of electronic prescription software. However, all prescriptions must be originated by a licensed physician and must undersigned by this same provider. Even though this patient is a personal friend of Dr. Williams, the same prescription standard needs to apply. Jerry would need to contact the physician to obtain a verbal order, which he needs to document appropriately before he can give the patient the script. Whether the fact that the medication is for fear of flying or if it is a critically needed medication like anti-hypertensive’s, the same policy must apply. The patient of Dr. Williams stated that he needs this prescription to fly. In this case, valium was prescribed due to the patient’s...
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