The Certified Medical Assistant (American Association of Medical Assistants): An Invaluable Asset for the Pediatric Office

Quality of personnel is an important factor in the success of a pediatric practice. Certified medical assistants (CMAs) (American Association of Medical Assistants [AAMA]) have proven to be some of the most versatile and effective staff members in the offices of pediatricians. Here are the facts.

Education and Credentialing

CMAs (AAMA) are specifically educated to work in ambulatory health care delivery settings. The majority work in the offices of primary care physicians. To be eligible for the CMA (AAMA) designation, individuals must graduate from an accredited postsecondary academic program that covers the clinical and administrative duties most commonly delegated by physicians. Graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination given by the Certifying Board of the AAMA. The National Board of Medical Examiners serves as test consultant for this examination. CMAs (AAMA) must recertify every 5 years by continuing education or retesting to continue to use the credential.

Frequently Delegated Duties

According to the 2007-2008 Occupational Analysis of the CMA (AAMA), physicians delegate the following duties to CMAs (AAMA):

• Obtaining vital signs

• Obtaining and recording patient history

• Preparing patients for and assisting the physician with examinations

• Patient instruction

• Telephone and in-person screening

• Venipuncture

• Preparing and administering oral and parenteral medications as directed by the physician

• Establishing and maintaining the medical record, including the electronic medical record

State Scope of Practice Laws

Legal scopes of practice vary somewhat from state to state. Information about state laws can be obtained from the AAMA Web site, www.aama-ntl.org. AAMA Executive Director and Legal Counsel Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA (dbalasa@aama-ntl.org), is able to answer legal questions for all states.

Medical Assistants and CMAs (AAMA)

Not all medical assistants are CMAs (AAMA). Pediatricians can find graduates of accredited medical assisting programs by visiting www.caahep.org or www.abhes.org and contacting schools in their area. To verify that a medical assistant has a current CMA (AAMA) credential, call the Certification Department of the AAMA at 800/228-2262.