When graduates of medical assisting programs, such as that offered at Prism Career Institute campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ as well as Philadelphia, PA, begin working with patients, they have a thorough grounding in the ethics of their profession. Whether they work in a hospital, urgent care clinic, or physician’s office, they now get to put these principles into practice. But what are these ethical standards? And what do they mean? Here, we take a closer look.
Guidance from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
A professional organization, the AAMA provides continuing education, certification, networking opportunities, and advocacy for medical assistants. It also provides this Code of Ethics:
- Render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity
- Respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information
- Uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines
- Seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the benefit of patients and professional colleagues
- Participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being of the community
These are high standards, underscoring the important role performed by medical assistants within the healthcare industry.
Patient Dignity and Keeping Confidentiality
Because they often are the initial clinical contact with the patient, medical assistants must quickly evaluate, and accurately record, vital signs and other presenting factors. This information is key, as it is used by nurses, physicians, medical records departments, and insurance companies. The education and experience that medical assistants bring to interactions with patients can have long-lasting effects on health and well-being. The ability to treat each patient with respect reflects the medical assistant’s ability to withhold judgment and acknowledge everyone’s innate dignity as a human being.
The confidentiality of the medical record is governed by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) law that protects sensitive health information, as well as rules instituted by the employer. The protection of health records is also related to the respect shown to each patient. Medical and health information is never a subject for gossip and is shared only if there is a need to know. However, legal reporting is required in some instances:
- Injuries caused by abuse and violence
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Communicable diseases
- Births and deaths
Professional Improvement and Service Activities
Medical assistants are always learning on the job. As they move throughout their careers, they may acquire knowledge in multiple medical specialties. Medical assistants may develop specialized skills as well, such as phlebotomy, optical examinations, and explaining preparations necessary for medical procedures. Throughout each day, they have the opportunity to learn more about each task, interact more efficiently with teammates, and increase their knowledge through study and observation. An orientation toward improvement and advancement of learning benefits the patients, colleagues, and the confidence of the medical assistant.
Participating in community activities is another way that medical assistants put their ethics into practice. Whether they are providing information at a health fair, standing by to help at fun runs or polar swim challenges, or volunteering their time to promote the services of their healthcare employer, they are making an impact on the health of the community. Orientation to learning and sharing to improve the health of their local community is a hallmark of the medical assistant profession.
Start Your Career as a Medical Assistant
For a healthcare career that allows you to help patients, develop transferable skills, and experience professional growth, investigate how you can become a medical assistant by enrolling in Philadelphia, PA, or at a campus in Cherry Hill or West Atlantic City in NJ. Contact Prism Career Institute for more information.