Jump to content

Uncertified medical assistant HCE


Recommended Posts

Hello everyone!  I may have found a doctor who is willing to let me work as a back office uncertified medical assistant. Without overstepping my boundaries, I was wondering what duties I could request to be trained for that would maximize direct patient contact and my learning experience.

 

I'm assuming the basic vitals of blood pressure, height, weight, temperature would be allowed but I'm not too familiar with what else I could be trained on and allowed to do. I understand that it's based on the discretion of each physician, as I've read MA's being allowed to assist in suturing, blood drawing, shots, etc. I will be at a small primary care clinic. I've been searching and reading through the different threads in this forum, but I'd appreciate any additonal input or insight of experiences from MA's who also had on-the-job training. Thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was a certified medical assistant in California, but when our office lost an MA, I convinced the office to bring on one of my classmates from A&P class who was waiting to get into the nursing program locally.  I trained him; he did great!  He worked for us almost a year.  Our office didn't do phlebotomy.  MAs can remove sutures, assist in office procedures, give injections, take vitals, plus a lot of chart maintenance, phone calls, refills, and do phlebotomy, strep tests, urinalysis, etc if needed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

@htbn In GA, you don't have to be certified to practice as a medical assistant! In fact, plenty of offices in the Atlanta area prefer MAs that have graduated with a bachelor's degree, rather than graduated high school and then attended a quick CMA program. But like you said, each office is different and it is really up to the discretion of the doctor. I work as a non certified medical assistant and do everything. Administer injections, assist in procedures (excision, incision, sutures, etc.), phlebotomy, vitals, etc etc. 

 

Today as I was looking through craigslist MA jobs, and one specifically said that they were looking for "pre-PA students" ONLY! They wouldn't accept any other resumes. That's legit to me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@htbn In GA, you don't have to be certified to practice as a medical assistant! In fact, plenty of offices in the Atlanta area prefer MAs that have graduated with a bachelor's degree, rather than graduated high school and then attended a quick CMA program. But like you said, each office is different and it is really up to the discretion of the doctor. I work as a non certified medical assistant and do everything. Administer injections, assist in procedures (excision, incision, sutures, etc.), phlebotomy, vitals, etc etc. 

 

Today as I was looking through craigslist MA jobs, and one specifically said that they were looking for "pre-PA students" ONLY! They wouldn't accept any other resumes. That's legit to me!

 

Wow, a  "pre-PA students only" post? That'd be hitting the jackpot; I've been looking at craiglist healthcare jobs every day for the past year haha. I'm in California, and from the job listings I've seen, they mostly require an MA certification + at least 2 years of experience. However, I was lucky enough to get hired by the doctor I mentioned. So far I've only been doing vitals since it's a small clinic, but hopefully soon I'll be able to have higher level responsibilities like you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to prove I'm not crazy ;)))

 

 

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hea/4587339642.html

 

Stick with that MD that you've got. Show that you are capable of handling plenty of duties while multitasking, while also respectfully and empathetically showing care to each and every one of your patients. Once they see that, they will allow you more responsibilities.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whoa sounds like I need to move to Atlanta. Did you ever get a phlebotomy license for blood draws or did another medical assistant train you for that, as well as injections and the other clinic procedures (like what fyrelight74 above did)?

 

Thank you for your input!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@htbn Haha I encourage everyone to move to Atlanta ;) No, I did not get any license/certification in order to do phlebetomy. I was trained by an MA and a RN in my office, as with all my other duties (injections, wound care, EKGs, ear lavage, O2 care, breathing treatments, etc.) 

 

Like I mentioned before, I think a lot of offices prefer their medical assistants have a degree in biology, rather than an MA certification. The biology background offers a lot more thorough knowledge than an MA certificate allows. If you have MA experience, apply for jobs even if they say certified MAs only. If you don't have any experience or a certificate, your are going to have to triple the number of resumes that you send out and calls that you make. But it will be worth it in the end when you find a doctor who is willing to offer you the opportunity to gain experience!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to the Physician Assistant Forum! This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn More