Speaking the Language of Medicine

Correcting errors is a fairly simple process when it involves a change to a website or some short literature. Language in government publications often proves to be a more time-consuming process.

I was contacted by Rusty Dowling, CMA (AAMA), on behalf of the Michigan State Society of Medical Assistants. Concern was expressed that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) had classified medical assisting as a “high-growth occupation requiring at least moderate on-the-job training” in one of its publications. I pointed out that the United States Department of Labor (DOL) also classifies medical assisting in this manner, and forwarded to Ms. Dowling letters that I had written to the Department of Labor objecting to the fact that medical assisting is so classified, and is considered an “apprenticeable occupation” by the DOL. I suggested that Ms. Dowling inform the Michigan DLEG of the formal opposition of the AAMA to these classifications of medical assisting by the United States DOL, and further suggested that the Michigan State Society also express its disagreement with this classification to the Michigan DLEG.

Because the legislative landscapes in Michigan and Washington are similar, two public policy leaders of the Michigan State Society joined me in meeting with representatives of the Washington State legislative coalition during the AAMA Board of Trustees meeting in Seattle in early June.

Working against such language is a monumental task, but it is one we must approach with energy if we hope to fix it!

Minor Errors, Major Corrections

Some of the most time-consuming work at the AAMA involves seeking out—and more importantly, correcting—the misinformation about the association and the profession. Seemingly minor errors can spread far and wide, so fixing them is a priority of the AAMA. This misinformation pops up all over the country:

• At the request of Cori Burns, CMA (AAMA), a leader of the California Society of Medical Assistants, I contacted a school that was stating on its website that medical assisting graduates who pass the test given by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (a private sector body, despite its name) become Certified Medical Assistants. In response to my e-mail, the school quickly agreed to rectify this error.
• Nikal Redwine, CMA (AAMA), and other leaders of the Georgia State Society of Medical Assistants contacted me and asked for my assistance in regard to erroneous information about the CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination in Licensed and Certified Occupations in Georgia, published by the Georgia Department of Labor. I sent an October 15, 2010 letter to the Commissioner of Labor to rectify the problems.

These are only two examples of the errors and omissions that arise in all 50 states. But, it takes the vigilance of all our dedicated members to catch and correct these minor errors before they become major problems. If you find any such errors in your state or city, speak up!

Arkansas Legislation Gets a Shot in the Arm

Obtaining the right to administer medication is a never-ending struggle for medical assistants across the country. But, a difficult challenge makes victory that much sweeter.

After more than a decade of intense disagreement between the Arkansas Board of Medical Examiners and the Arkansas Board of Nursing, legislation was passed in 2009 to codify the fact that medical assistants are permitted to administer medication under a physician’s direct supervision. In 2010 the Board of Medical Examiners promulgated regulations pursuant to the legislation. Regaining the right to be delegated injections is a significant victory for the medical assisting profession in Arkansas!

Our work to earn medical assistants this right continues in other states, as well. In New York I have worked closely with the NYSSMA President Paula Guidozzoli, CMA (AAMA), and have been asked to write articles about the education and credentialing of CMAs (AAMA) for the Medical Society of the State of New York and the New York State Nurses Association. Ms. Guidozzoli continues to provide excellent leadership, establish important contacts, and seek the best ways to effect positive change for medical assistants in this important state.

Every state has different legislation concerning medical assistants. Be sure to educate yourself about your professional rights!

Forging Ahead in Washington State

Greetings, everyone! Key health care leaders in the state of Washington conducted a sunrise hearing regarding continuing confusion over the “health care assistant” category in Washington law and the medical assisting profession.

Dr. Dean Martz, president of the Washington State Medical Association stated that “Medical assistants are the vital glue that keeps medical practices running smoothly.” He stated that “the association has heard a loud and clear message statewide to fix the current situation.” Dr. Martz enumerated the strongest reasons that the roles of medical assistants need to be better defined in practices and the government. With impending health care reform and increasing demand for health care services, medical assistants will need to continue to fill an important role for health care delivery teams.

I was able to second this urgent call for improved legislation in the state. There is no other state that has a health care assistant type of regulation. Health care assisting is not a profession, but a statutorily created category from the early 1980s to address a specific problem. However, the issue is that because the health care assistant law just addresses blood withdrawal and injections, the interpretation by the department has been that no other duties that can be delegated to medical assistants. There is no other state with that type of regulatory system.

There is a great need for recognizing the abilities of medical assistants. States have taken that action to ensure medical assistants will be able to work to the top of their training and education and will free up other health care professionals to concentrate on their areas of concern.

Stay tuned for further developments. I will share more thoughts in the AAMA’s upcoming Nov/Dec 2011 CMA Today magazine.

Success in Nevada State Senate!

Good afternoon, everyone! I hope your summers are going splendidly. I have some fantastic news to share with you all. The Nevada State Senate recently passed into law the bill allowing medical assistants to administer medications under the supervision of a physician. You’ll remember that Nevada State Society President Carol Cohen and I worked on such matters earlier this spring (See “Right-to-practice Issues in Nevada“). We were hopeful that the bill would pass the Senate, and that hope proved justified. You can review the final text of the bill at http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Bills/SB/SB294_EN.pdf. Thank you again for all of your support!