What is a Scope of Practice?
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The range of activities that a qualified practitioner of an occupation may perform.
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Establishes the boundaries of an occupation.
With specific protocols, orders and directions in place, MA’s can handle a broad range of duties. In some states, MA’s can perform procedures such as urinalysis, strep tests, blood pressure checks, weight checks, electrocardiograms, venipuncture and injections. Some often-overlooked uses of MAs include doing telephone follow-up after visits, notifying patients of lab results, reviewing medications with patients, and engaging in translation and cultural brokering.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANTS
Administrative
- Work in reception
- Answer telephone
- Schedule appointments
- Process medical billing
- Keep financial records
- File medical charts
- Telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy
- Transcribe dictation
- Send letters
- Triage patients over the telephone using a protocol to determine the acuity of the visit and the visit-length for scheduling purposes.
Clinical
- Escort patient to exam room
- Carry out patient history interviews
- Take and record vital signs
- Prepare patient for examination
- Provide patient information/instructions
- Assist with medical examinations/surgical procedures
- Set up/clean patient rooms
- Maintain inventory
- Restock supplies in patient rooms
- Perform venipuncture
- Administer immunizations
- Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
- Remove sutures
- Change dressings
- Notify patients of laboratory results
- Schedule patient appointments
- Translate during medical interviews with non-English-speaking patients
- Give prevention reminders
- Instruct patients about medications or special diets
- Perform basic laboratory tests
- Prepare/administer oral/intramuscular medications as directed
- Perform ECGs
Advanced duties
- Place, initiate IV and administer IV medications with appropriate training and as permitted by state law
- Develop educational materials
- Help patients draft a durable power of attorney
- Educate patients about procedures
- Negotiate managed care contracts
- Manage accounts payable
- Process payroll
- Document and maintain accounting and banking records
- Develop and maintain fees schedules
- Manage renewals of business and professional insurance policies
- Manage personnel benefits and maintain records
- Perform marketing, financial and strategic planning
- Develop and maintain personnel, policy and procedure materials
- Perform personnel management functions
- Negotiate leases and prices for equipment and supply contracts
Where to find Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants:
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Federal and State Laws
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Employer Policies
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Job Description from your Employer
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Professional Publications
Which Law and Standards apply to the Medical Assistant Scope of Practice?
– Federal Standard: US Board of Medical Examiners
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Doctors may delegate tasks to Medical Assistants under their employ
- So long the doctor is in ‘reasonable proximity’ when the M.A. is performing direct patient care and hands on procedure
– REGARDLESS of the amount of training and experience of the M.A.
– ‘Supervision’ means initial and ongoing direction, procedural guidance, observation and evaluation.
Why is the Scope of Practice so Important?
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Practical reasons – People need to know what is expected from them within their profession.
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People need to know when to refer things to other Professionals.
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Liability – The Scope of Practice provides a ‘safety net’ of sorts at work. So long as you are working within your scope, consistent with your training and ethical standards, your employer will usually be liable for untoward events under the doctrine of Respondiat Superior.
Source: AAMA American Association of Medical Assistants Role Delineation Study: Occupational Analysis of the Medical Assisting Profession. Chicago: AAMA; 2003.
