Medical Assistant: Lesson 1: The World of Health Care

EMT vs Paramedic

- EMT: provides emergency care to sick/injured victims (can't do as much) - EMT-Paramedic: can provide emergency advanced life support for sick/injured victims (does more)

Physician assistants (PAs)

-Working under the supervision of physicians medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient's principal healthcare provider.

licensed practical nurse (LPN)

-Works under supervision of the RN Duties often include monitoring patient vitals; handling basic healthcare tasks; reporting patient status and concerns to RNs or doctors; and helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, dressing or transferring, as needed.

certified nursing assistant (CNA)

-Works under the supervision of RNs or LPNs tasks include measuring vital signs; recording patient health concerns; and helping patients bathe, dress and use the bathroom.

Who Establishes Standards of Care?

1. Professional associations 2. Federal or state statutes or regulations 3. Institutional policies and procedures 4. Common practice

Describe the five basic responsibilities of the healthcare support staff.

1. Transcribe/Edit Dictation. 2. Code Records. 3. Complete and Submit Insurance Claim Forms. 4. Follow Up on Claims and Bills. 5. Secondary Insurance Claims and Patient Billing.

healthcare support staff

1. transcribes dictation 2. codes medical records 3. bills secondary carriers and patients 4. follows up on claims and bills 5. completes and submits insurance claim forms

inpatient setting

A facility other than psychiatric, that provides diagnostic, therapeutic (both surgical and non-surgical) and rehabilitation services by or under the supervision of physicians to patients admitted for a variety of medical conditions

This is the ability to be modified or changed A. Adaptability B. Presentation C. Professionalism D. All of the above

A. Adaptability

This person is trained to organize and manage patient health data in digital and hard-copy formats, ensuring the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of this critical documentation. A. EMR specialist B. Radiologic technologist C. Medical billing specialist D. Medical record technologist

A. EMR specialist

Which correctly illustrates the order of training, from lowest to highest, of medical personnel? A. EMT, paramedic, physician B. Paramedic, EMT, physician C. Physician, EMT, paramedic D. EMT, physician, paramedic

A. EMT, paramedic, physician

This person can perform both administrative and clinical duties. A. Medical assistant B. Patient care technician C. Medical transcriptionist D. Health services manager

A. Medical assistant

Which is not a responsibility of a nurse or nurse's assistant? A. Prescribing medications B. Providing preventative care C. Conducting physical assessments D. Providing medical support to patients

A. Prescribing medications

Coding requires the medical coding specialist to look up the information in a reference book and find the right set of numeric or alphanumeric codes that describes exactly what occurred during the patient's visit. A. True B. False

A. True

Home care aides are PCTs who visit clients' homes to assist them with activities they can no longer perform alone. A. True B. False

A. True

Medical editors listen to the doctors' spoken notes while editing rough reports that a speech recognition program produced based on the doctors' dictation. A. True B. False

A. True

Presenting a confident image is important. A. True B. False

A. True

During residency, how many hours per week might physicians be asked to work? A. 1000 B. 85-100 C. 100-150 D. 200-250

B. 85-100

Pharmacy technicians ensure that people receive the proper medications for their health problems, and they provide information about these medications. A. True B. False

B. False

The medical billing specialist is trained to organize and manage patient health data in digital and hard-copy formats, ensuring the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of this critical documentation. A. True B. False

B. False

Which member of the healthcare team listens to the provider's dictation and types what is heard? A. EMR specialist B. Medical transcriptionist C. Medical billing specialist D. Medical coding specialist

B. Medical transcriptionist

This setting may be a provider's office or emergency department. A. Inpatient B. Outpatient C. Urgent care D. Rehabilitation

B. Outpatient

This member of the healthcare team monitors the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient. A. Pharmacy technician B. Patient care technician C. Health services manager D. Medical coding specialist

B. Patient care technician

This is the act of bringing or introducing something into the presence of someone else. A. Adaptability B. Presentation C. Professionalism D. All of the above

B. Presentation

What are two essential characteristics of a successful healthcare professional? A. Tenacity and toughness B. Warmth and confidence C. Curiosity and free-spiritedness D. Being argumentative and organized

B. Warmth and confidence

This person may be in charge of an outpatient service within a larger healthcare facility. A. Pharmacy technician B. Patient care technician C. Health services D. Medical coding specialist

C. Health services manager

This person completes insurance forms and ensures proper reimbursement for patient encounters. A. EMR specialist B. Radiologic technologist C. Medical billing specialist D. Medical record technologist

C. Medical billing specialist

This person may be the first person in the doctor's office to see a patient. A. Doctor B. EMR specialist C. Office manager D. Medical coding specialist

C. Office manager

Which member of the healthcare team organizes schedules and keeps appointments straight? A. Nurse B. Physician C. Office professional D. Laboratory technician

C. Office professional

This is the conduct, aim or quality that characterizes a profession or professional person. A. Adaptability B. Presentation C. Professionalism D. All of the above

C. Professionalism

Handling several responsibilities at once is termed _____. A. professionalism B. adaptability C. multitasking D. all of the above

C. multitasking

Advanced practice provider (APP)

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS), nurse practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), nurse midwives -The scope of practice is the biggest difference between an APP and a physician; most APPs still need a collaborating physician as part of their practice.

A healthcare professional should exhibit which three personal qualities? A. Adaptability B. Presentation C. Professionalism D. All of the above

D. All of the above

What is the scope of practice of the PA based on? A. Education and experience B. Policies of employers and facilities C. Needs of the patients at the practice D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which member of the healthcare team works under the supervision of RNs or LPNs fulfilling daily tasks that provide for the basic care of patients? A. Nurse B. Medical coder C. Physician assistant D. Certified nursing assistant

D. Certified nursing assistant

This member of the healthcare team reviews the medical report to determine the correct set of alphanumeric characters that describe exactly what occurred during the patient's visit. A. EMR specialist B. Medical transcriptionist C. Medical billing specialist D. Medical coding specialist

D. Medical coding specialist

Making lists to not forget tasks for the day is an example of this. A. Drive B. Warmth C. Confidence D. Organization

D. Organization

This is the most prominent member of the medical care team. A. PA B. EMT C. Nurse D. Physician

D. Physician

Which part of the healthcare team will diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient's principal healthcare provider? A. EMT B. Paramedic C. Nurse's assistant D. Physician assistant

D. Physician assistant

Medical coding is the process of _____. A. identifying types of specialists B. identifying patient complaints C. following up on insurance claims D. translating narrative into numeric and/or alphanumeric codes

D. translating narrative into numeric and/or alphanumeric codes

medical editors

Many medical transcriptionists also serve as medical editors, who listen to the doctors' spoken notes while editing rough reports that a speech recognition program produced based on the doctors' dictation.

Pharmacologists

Study drugs. Typically involved in education and research.

scope of practice

The range of clinical procedures and activities that are allowed by law for a profession

nurse practitioner (NP)

a nurse with postgraduate training that serves as a midlevel health care provider; works under the license of a supervising physician

physician

a person qualified to practice medicine

Medical coding specialists

assign medical codes to the information obtained from a patient's visit to a medical facility

Patient Care Technician (PCT)

assist patients with eating, dressing, bathing, skin care and walking. They also turn, reposition and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs

Paramedics

not only able to stabilize patients, but they can also begin treatments to cure patients, such as administering medication.

electronic medical records (EMR) specialist

organize and manage patient health data in digital and hard-copy formats, ensuring the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of this critical documentation.

Adaptability

the ability to be modified or changed. To be successful, you must be able to adapt for each client. Some people want tasks done a certain way. Others may have exactly the opposite requirements. Codes are updated annually. Insurance regulations change. Forms are altered. If you get to set in your ways, you might lose clients who require slightly different approaches.

Presentation

the act of bringing or introducing something into the presence of someone else.

medical billing specialists

use the codes from the medical coding specialists to complete the insurance forms. These forms are necessary to collect payment from the insurance companies. Billing specialists know that the provider doesn't get paid unless the form is completed and filed correctly.

Pharmacists

ensuring that people receive the proper medications for their health problems, and providing information about these medications.

medical assistant (MA)

functions under the supervision of licensed medical professionals and is competent in both administrative/office and clinical/laboratory procedures

medical transcriptionist

listens to the doctor's dictation and types what she hears. This is then added to the patient's medical record. By using transcriptionists, doctors save time by speaking their notes.

outpatient setting

may be a provider's office, urgent care center, emergency department or an outpatient surgical facility

emergency medical technicians (EMTs)

stabilize patients who have a wide variety of emergency medical conditions

pharmacy technician

under the direction of licensed pharmacists, dispenses, distributes, and administers medications prescribed

Home care aides

PCTs who visit clients' homes to assist them with activities they can no longer perform alone. A PCT may help these patients with personal needs like grooming and eating, or with household tasks like cleaning and shopping.

registered nurse (RN)

completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

prioritize

decide which duties are most urgent

health services manager

plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises the delivery of health care; includes specialists who direct clinical departments or services and generalists who manage an entire facility or system

Professionalism

the conduct, aim or qualities that characterize a profession or professional person. When you select what to wear, be conservative but not bland. If you are comfortable, you will be able to concentrate on other important things, such as your presentation and answering any questions your potential client may have. An uncomfortable outfit, whether in style, color or both, will distract you. Another facet of professionalism is delivering what you promise. You've probably heard the saying, "Five minutes early is 10 minutes late." Basically, this means if you have a meeting at 10 a.m., be 15 minutes early. Never be late, especially for a first-time interview. Such promptness shows you are responsible and considerate. If your client is a little late, be understanding. Just make sure you aren't the tardy one. When you are asked for work samples, be prepared. Explain what you know and how you gained your knowledge. If you ever are asked to complete a test task, do so promptly.

Standard of care

the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person should exercise under the same or similar circumstances

Pharmacy

the science of preparing and dispensing medications and information about medications