Then why isn't the AAMA pushing for CERTIFICATION to be the rule? Are they afraid it would be a step away from licensure? Let's say it wouldn't be-then why isn't that vast,probably not lacking in funds organization campaigning for every state to have an MA hired show certification?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

The "medical assistant" field is an unregulated profession...aka..unlicensed personale. Because it is unregulated each state or individual doctors office can decide if the person applying for a job is qualified..for the most part, certification is optional...you don't have to be certified to work as a ma. A ma can have no formal education just on the job training, or six months education training or an associate degree. In order for the ma profession to become licensed, there will have to be a standardized curriculum for every school & state that teaches this program. After this has been established then a governing/licensing board can be established to determine the test, the qualifactions needed by the applicant before they can apply to take the test(proof of education from an accredited school and externship, etc etc)

Your Professional Title/Credentials: lpn

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

I am very iterested in where this issue stands at the moment, has there been any formal petitions sent to legislature?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Medical Assisting Program Direcor/ Instructor

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

I say no, for what?? There are some **** good MAs who are not licensed, MAs are NOT nurses, and are never going to be, licensing us will not change anything, we still won't get any respect at all.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CMA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? yes

I am totally in favor of regulating the practise. I have been in school for a year now and have another year to go. When I get done I will not only be a CMA but have my Associates degree in Technical Science. I am a bit put off what with sitting in microbiology and all of these other classes for my degree along with the RNs, knoing that they will be recognized as superior in some way when my grades are better than most of theirs. What gives?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Hello
Just wanted to say that I agree with the topic. I have been a medical assistant for over 10 years. I live in a state that does NOT know much about us and does not have a school that teaches Clinical medical assisting. I have srugled for a long time to fit in and be accepted by the nursing community. I understand that an RN may have a little more education / training but we have a LOT more then a CNA yet we are treated with less respect then a CNA. I am currrently going BACK to school for my RN! Get this, the college here has made it a requirement that along with your pre req's that you have to have your CNA. So, I will have to go get the "training" for a CNA and get lic. in my state. THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO SMALL!!! WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING ALL THESE YEARS, WHY AM I PAYING (STILL) FOR AN EDUCATION AND ANNUAL REGISTRY DUES TO HOLD A MEDICAL ASSISTING DEGREE IF IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED??? I will need to get 2 day or a week's worth of training for a CNA lic. (HOW CRAZY!)Because my 12 month training and 10 years of experience is just not enough! HA??? I am confused.
YES, I will go get my CNA so that I can get in to nursing school. I am with you on state regulation for Medical Assistnts! Maybe this will make us more accepted in the medical communities.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? no

Yours is an interesting letter. What state are you writing from?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Hello to you!
I am in Wyoming, and yourself?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? NO

Are You Working? NO

Your post is important and just like I thought,it got overlooked because it is on a very long thread. Maybe you should start a new one with your very legitimate complaint,to get some feedback.
This is what I am seeing-
1. MA graduates who have little difficulty finding a job if they are already STNAs.
or
2. MA grads who have to consider doing aide work because they can't get hired as a MA.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

I also am in Ohio and am having the problem with all of these medical facilities not knoing what a CMA can do. We had a job fair here on campus a couple of weeks ago. There were 11 health facilities here and only 2 knew some of our value. One actually said "So what does that mean, being a medical assistant, it's like you are a CNA that passes meds right?". Very discouraged about even trying to find a job at this point.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Cindy,
Keep your chin up, it will happen! I moved to Wyoming from Colorado 7 years ago. When I first moved here I got the same treatment. It seams now that some of the medical community are getting a clue. I see adds here and there for an "MA" or office nurse. But, the wages are still low considering the amount of knowledge and education as compared to a CNA. I am going back to get my RN for several reasons. I know that when I do get the title of an "RN", I will never look down on the Medical Assistants, for I know, I have been there! It will get better, And maybe you should think about going for your RN as well??? (You will probably have to start from scratch with your credits and all, like I am) Just a thought.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? NO

Are You Working? NO

Thanks for the tips. I also have several friends on campus that are in the RN program and are telling me to be an RN. I dont want to work in hospitals, on holidays and week-ends. I want a 9 to 5 job (on good days)in an office. I just think that CMA's working in offices, doing what they are trained to do, and LPN's and RN's working in the hospitals doing the more acute care that they are trained to do, would solve a lot. Why would a CMA want to do vitals and get 11.00 an hour if the mandatory RN is going to do it and get 30.00? It just seems so wrong!

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Cindy,

Yes, thats why it took me soo long to go back for my RN. I did not want to work nights, weekends and holidays either. I also thought, why should I go back to school, I already did that. But I know now that if I want to make more and help provide for my family then thats what I need to do. I love patient contact and could never work in any other field. I figure I can do what I need to do for a while to get the time in and then go to a specialty clinic. Like surgical -outpatient or oncology. The $ will b good and hopefully I will have good hours, eventualy.
Good Luck to you!

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? NO

Are You Working? NO

Cindy makes a good point-why ARE nurses working in offices? What more can they do than MAs there? This isn't a cut down of nurses,I am jealous of them and their status. But I too don't want to become one,even though I see they can get jobs anywhere. Not so with MAs,who aren't even allowed to work as a MEDICAL ASSISTANT in most hospitals.

I would like to see more recognition for MAs. Most people think the person in the office is a 'nurse'. That's because most don't know what a "medical assistant" is. Who's fault is that? Can the AAMA take some blame? I mean,can't they make an effort,like in public service announcements,to get the word out about what MAs are and can do? That organization has been around since the 50s. I am near 50 and never heard of them til 2 years ago,and was never sure what a medical assistant was til 3 years ago. Before then,I barely heard the term.

I agree with ma's getting a license for their profession, but the one group who has the power to push this forward will not help (aama). the aama is a great organization for ma's, but it stands to loose to much, which is why you will not see them help in this arena.
All it takes is one state to offer a license for ma's for the rest of the states to follow.
I would suggest getting a petition and writing your local congressman, senator, governor etc etc to get the ball ralling.
l.lopez lpn

Your Professional Title/Credentials: lpn

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

HI, I THINK THIS IS A BIG STEP IN ACHIEVING RECOGNITION AND RESPECT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. I THINK IT WILL HELP LOWER THE COST OF OFFICE MALPRACTICE INSURANCE WHICH IN TURN WILL INCREASE OUR SALARIES. ANYTHING I CAN DO HERE IN OHIO TO HELP, JUST ASK.
TAMMI.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

I think it would be great. I dont think MAs get the opportunities that are avaliable to them. We need more attention to this problem there are many professionals that dont understand what we can do.There needs to be much more attention on MAs.If I can help please let me know.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

Has anyone read the Amt magazine that come out? AAMA is pushing for MAs to get licensed to practice. AAmA and AMT are going to have a summit meeting together to try to get something done.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

I am a student, ready to graduate soon, of a two year program. I am all for what ever needs to be done for this recognition. We as Medical Assistant's need to be recognized for the training and the experience that we have completed. We need to have some type of credit for what we have accomplished, and what we can perform as far as our skills.

So, count me in!!

KMilan

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Student MA program

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? No, not yet

I think ALL MA's should be licensed... I think that it would bring a great deal of respect to those of us who spent so much time in school.

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Well,what BECAME of what "Tonya" wrote about,does anybody know? I did not read about it anywhere. In fact,I don't ever read of anything NEAR to what this whole thread is about because I don't think anything is being done by these big agencies or WILL be done. They have MAs right where they want them,joining up schools by the thousands,paying the large fees to them to get certified,and that's it. Licensure probably would take money away from them so of course they don't want it even though they will say they do.

Well, you know, I am new to being a CMA, but, I find that VERY sad.
There are 2 people at my externship site who are going to nursing school. They say they are tired of being treated like a second rate employee. I think ANYONE working in a medical office should have some sort of license.

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Need your input. Have sister w/BA in teaching, now want to be MA. She lives in Vegas. I'm an RN and not sure of how to direct her. I am seeking info on accred
programs in Neveda. I would think after watching the transistion in nursing over the years, which has phased out diploma programs and LPNs a degree would better serve one in the future.

BTW If the Med. Assist would have a standard of license, would that not add to the profession by holding all to the same standard of practice?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RN

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? no

Certification is not the same thing as being Lisenced. I was not already certifed and had to become lisenced, I would not waste my time getting certifed, I would just get lisenced. I don't get your point.

To be an RN you get an associate degree. Most MA programs I know of are associates as well. I go to school as long as they do but yet I don't get as much respect because I am not licensed? or I am not a NURSE. Nurses weren't always licensed. Professions grow and change. But they all equally are for helping people in health care. So why not get the same respect if you do the time to learn? There are other licensed professions that are 2 year degrees that aren't nurses. They're specialized in DIFFERENT types of jobs, like MAs are from nurses. EXAMPLE cardiovascular technician is registered, radiology I believe is a license too right? MAs are specialized in ambulatory settings, meaning doctors offices, outpatient clinics ect. They specialize in making the office run smoothly. they can do a lot of things at once. many many responsibilities clinically and administratively that MAs have. So why not get a license. If that is what it takes to get respect for all that MAs have to do, then go for it. Besides its one of the faster growing occupations in the medical field for a reason And I think in a few years, everyone will know what it MAs are. (My opinion. I am a student of a 2 year MA program. I wanna be a MA and not a nurse.)
My point:
I think if MAs all had at least an associates degree, like RNS and some other fields, then that alone should qualify us to be licensed strictly with what is in our scope of practice. FOr god sakes it is 2 years of college with a degree and you are saying that still won't be enough respect. Me and my RN student friend have taken many similar classes.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: SMA

Are You Still In School? why yes

Are You Working? yes

Well, count me in. RMA_bmo@yahoo.com expect an e-mail from me,

As a RMA (AMT) and secretary of the Oklahoma State Society of American Medical Technologists, I am going to bring this issue up at our next state board meeting in April 2008. We have 2 state society board members who sit on the national committe and I want them to take this to national.

In the past, AMT has not seemed to interested in getting into the licensure controversy over the MA thing. But now there may be a need to since there is some legislative push to license all phlebotomists.

This is going to have a BIG impact to those clinical assistants who are not certified.

I think if MAs would pull toether as a professional group and promote themselves a valued professionals things would improve.

With the coming healthcare workere shortage (due mostly to the retiring baby boomers of which my husband and I care currently)the need for well-qualified MA is going to increase. Not enough nurses, not enough lab employees, etc. MAs can go a LONG way to solving this shortage. Why are people not seeing it????

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA (AMT)

Are You Working? yes

Who is keeping MA salaries ridiculously low? Its the doctors that you work for. OK so lets just say for arguments sake MA's become licensed and fight for more pay, what do you think the doctors are going to do. Hire people off the street that can be taught to do the same job for much cheaper. I agree that MA's are a vital part of the health care team, but its the MD's that pay you and I dont think that licensure will force them to pay you more money. The MD owns the practice and cant be forced to pay you what you are worth. RN's were replaced by MA's in the office setting because doctors wanted to find cheaper labor. Fortunately RN's make a whole lot more money in other clinical settings. If you want to know your real worth, check out what the doctors are paying the PA's and NP's. I would venture to say it is going to be about 5 times what you as an MA make. I think MA's are caught between a rock and a hard place. Because if they revolt for more pay, the will be replaced by another faction that will do the job for less money, and if they accept their fate, they will never get the respect they deserve. And the way the diploma mills are pouring out MA's there will never be a shortage of people willing to work for low wages.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RN

But wouldn't licensure prevent anyone from hiring someone off the street? Any field that is licensed is mandated and going against the rules and guidelines is to risk getting into a lot of trouble.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Dear Medical Assistants,

Please stop wasting your time wishing for something that is never going to happen. You will not ever receive licensure. The best thing to do is use the knowledge you have acquired, and go back to school to become licensed nurses. Even if they licensed MAs, you would still have to go back to school to learn the skills that registered nurses learn. Stop crying and just become a real nurse. Save your time and frustration. I am a CMA working full time and going to school to become a Registered Nurse.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

Wannabeanurse.........

You have a really jacked up attitude.... Not all of us WANT to be a nurse.

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Mamaa Bear,

Thank you for your worthless comment. Instead of worrying about my jacked up attitude you need to worry about being looked down on as a jackass!!

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

What a vicious,unnecessary remark. I don't want to be a nurse either but I would never call someone a "jackass",which is a great bedside manner for a future nurse. There are enough sick patients for both MAs and nurses to tend to and there isn't any reason why the guidelines to being an MA can't be changed,except for the fact that there are many who make a lot of money off of MAs in the form they are now.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Dear RMA,

Thank you for your little comment also. I did not call Mama Bear a jackass. What I was referring to was the fact that all Medical Assistants are looked down upon. So before you go making unstantiated remarks, you should know for yourself that MAs ae only given the lttle recognition that they do receive is because most of them are like you, they will accept the lttle things in life, never trying to advance. There are NAs outhere that are doing better and getting paid more than you with your RMA credentials. The only true reason why doctors have maS IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HVE TO PAY THEM VERY MUCH!!! Think before you speak. Any LPN or RN will look down at you as nothing.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

To Mama Bear and RMA,

I want both of you to understand, I am not being mean or trying to put anyone down. I have much care and compassion inside of me to be a nurse. I am sorry that you don't want to achieve that status, but one thing you both need to realize is that you still have a lot to learn beforeyou can even start to treat patients, we have all have been fooled into this profession. You don't do IVs,you don't do SPO2, you do not do anything that is considered as patient treatment or patient care. Paperwork and blood draws is the main focus for MAs. Check it out for yourselves, then think about what you are geting paid to do. Anyone just off the streets with a few weeks training could do better than you with your 2 years of MA training.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

I am For the idea of individual state registration / licensure of Medical Assistants as this is what we need to have in order to boost the Industry . Most Prospective employers and past employers that i have worked for have pondered that question and I personaly have been asked why as a medical assistant i am not required to register with the state and all i can do is give them the most logical reason without insulting them in a professional manner.

What we need to do as a Profession is to write a proposal to our local state represenatives and enlist their support for our profession as a reconized part of the Medical community.

We are more than just Office Monkeys . We are multi - faceted Health care professionals who have alot to offer the medical community.

WHat I as an MA would like to see is more utilization of our clinical skills than just sticking us behind a desk .

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Medical Assistant ,RMA ,CCMA

Are You Still In School? Post Graduate student

Are You Working? yes

THIS IS IN REPLY TO WANNABEANURSE.

I HAVE BEEN AN RMA FOR OVER 11 YEARS NOW AND I HAVE TO SAY YOUR ATTITUDE IS AWFUL!

I HAVE DECIDED TO GO BACK AND GET MY R.N. I DO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE IN RESPONSIBILTIES BETWEEN THE TWO. I THINK THAT SOME MA'S ARE LOOKED DOWN ON FOR MANY REASONS! BUT I THINK ALL OF US AGREE THAT MAS ARE NOT EDUCATED IN THE SAME. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE STUPID OR NOT WORTH ANYTHING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. WE ARE EDUCATED AND SOME OF US (DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE)GET PAID WELL. IN FACT I AM WORTH WHAT AN LPN IS GETTING PAID HERE IN MY STATE!

ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT WHEN I DO BECOME A NURSE, I WILL NOT LOOK DOWN UPON THE MA'S OR LPN'S OR CNA'S BECAUSE I KNOW THEY HAVE THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRAINING / EDUCATION!

WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE MEDICAL FIELD BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT HELPING OTHERS, NOT ABOUT STATUS QUO

WHY ARE YOU POSTING THINGS TO THIS SITE IF YOU DONT LIKE MA'S?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? no

THANK YOU RMA & NURSING STUDENT. This is supposed to be a positive site for MAs not a RN recruitment center. Nothing against th RNs but I feel this horrible pressure to go into nursing even though I know I don't want to, thanks to some of the people who have said things like, "just be a nurse and don't waste your time". Thank you nurses who have respect for the MAs, you are truly professional and see we are all aiming toward the same goal, helping people, not who has this biggest wad of cash or does this or that better. We are all trained to do what we do and do it to the best that we can each day.

With that said, There are many forums for nurses out there and this is the only MA one I have found. so the ones that come on here and bash, for the sake of those who love this profession and are interested in it, stop polluting it with anti-MA comments.

I am all for licensing simply because it would give a solid scope of practice and rid the title of unlicensed personnel. Also, responsibilities for MAs actions will fall directly under the MA and not directly upon the person working under. This is how I understand licensing, please correct me if I am wrong about that. I am taking Med Law and Ethics next quarter and I will definitely bring this topic up in class.

TO RMA & NURSING STUDENT,

Thank you for your comments. Evidently, you and some of the other MAs posting comments on this site have misunderstood me. I am not against MA s , for the the obvious fact that if you took time to get your info correct, I AM A CMA MYSELF, I am not putting MA s down, I am just stating the true facts about how MA s are treated. My attitude is not awful, instead of criticizing my attitude, why don't you use your 11 years of experience and RMA credentials and help promote MA s on some of the nursing forums so that they may understand just how important MA s are as being part of the healthcare team.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

To Wannabeanurse-While you are doing your clinicals and after you are pinned and licensed I hope you are not looked down on for being a first-year nurse.I understand some older, more experienced nurses have little patience for newbies. I hear nurses are the only ones who "eat their young." Sure, they all start out all about patient care and then the reality of shortages and patient accuity sets in and before you know it...you're drinking a six-pack in your car before you leave the parking lot due to the stress of being a caring nurse! This is what I thought about when choosing MA over nursing. Good luck!

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? No

Hi Rena,

I hope that it will not be like that when I become a nurse. I must tell you that I have already been asked if I would like a nursing position with the doctor I already work with. Even if I accept work at a hospital or other healthcare facily, I plan to have enough knowledge and professionalism about myself to not to let other nurses intimidate me, I study hard in school and ask plenty of questions from nurses I already work with. So to make it short, I plan to have my stuf together before I get there.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: NCMA

Are You Still In School? Yes, Nursing School

Are You Working? Yes

I think the reason that this process hasn't happened is because the Medical Examining Board in each state would be the licensing entity. (The same board that licenses doctors). Individual state laws supersede recommended scope of practice, etc. by the AAMA/AMT. Doctors would probably therefore put pressure on the Medical Examining Boards to not license Medical Assistants. If they did, doctors would end up paying higher salaries for Medical Assistants; because Medical Assistants would demand it. (not something they would want to do). It may also be that doctors don't want to be further restricted in the types of procedures that they can delegate to Medical Assistants. My state seems to be one of the more progressive states in the fact that the legal scope of practice for Medical Assistants seems to be wider than many other states and is expanding. I'm not sure what the answer is. I think approaching the doctors with #2 should be the first step. They have more bargaining power than we do. If they can see the benefits to themselves, we may be more successful. Even if they pay Medical Assistants more, they will still be paying less than nurses. I also think that it is up to us to make sure that we encourage anyone considering Medical Assisting to attend accredited programs; act as a professional and get Certified. There are apparently a lot of MA's out there that are giving nurses and others a bad impression of our profession. If there is anything else I can do to help, feel free to email me.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: BS, AD, PNCC, SMA

Are You Still In School? Yes

Are You Working? No

Does anyone know if MA's are any closer to becoming
licensed? I think this thread is very interesting and
informative. I would help in my state to push for this. I am working in a ER/clinic (hosp.) and often hear how MA's are not licensed-comments from the LPN's
and RN's.If MA's were licensed the animosity I believe
that is often felt by nurses may be erased. I don't think there should be any question about this; there can only be an upside to licensure.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: certified clinical medical assistant

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes. Hospital clinic

Wannabeanurse,

You weren't putting us down? Or promote everyone going into Nursing? Really?

"Please stop wasting your time wishing for something that is never going to happen. You will not ever receive licensure."

"Stop crying and just become a real nurse."

"The best thing to do is use the knowledge you have acquired, and go back to school to become licensed nurses."

I think the big problem nurses have with MAs is that people, in general, refer to them as "the doctor's nurse". Most people don't know what medical assistants are, but they know what nurses as. They know that nurses, like medical assistants, are usually female, and that they wear scrubs and give shots.

Here an example: I was driving past my dentist's office a few weeks ago with my younger sister. I seen my hygenist walking out and I made a comment to my sister "I know that lady." My sister, who obviously didn't see the sign for the dentist's office, replied "Who, that nurse in the blue scrubs?"

People generally associate females in scrubs with nurses. It's the way of the culture. I don't doubt that there are MAs out there that portray themselves as nurses, though...

Just my two cents...

WOW! Old post! But I thought it was quite interesting how wannabenurse started to put us M.A's down then disappeared. Oh, and for the people that think that becoming an M.A is what anyone can do, I beg to differ. I have seen some students drop out of the class. I have seen some students have to repeat the course due to not passing final exams. I have seen students fail because they simply could not draw blood. This does not mean they are stupid. THis just means the process of becoming an M.A was not for them! I told my Dad once, very recently, that I was not going to my graduation that was going to be held this year in November. He said I should go, and that it was a great accomplishment. I said very seriously, "It's not that important. I will go to my graduation if it was something like me graduating from Nursing." He looked at me with a smile, and patted my hand and said, "It seems so simple now, doesn't it. But when you look at the whole of it, it was just little steps to get you to where you are now. But that's just it. Its the simple little steps that lead to greatness, and in the end after we are done, it only seems like nothing at all." WOW~ I mean, i was stunned when he said that. I have to say he is right. Not everyone can do it, but when you do, it seems like nothing. THen you go on in life to make more greatness happen for you. Weather it is a hundred little steps or a few big ones, it's not the when we get there it's HOW we got there! By the way, My Dad is the one who posted on this subject in Feb2007m with the user name, "Im not an MA but I play one on TV". Danni might remember him. He was the one who led me to this wonderful forum and have been reading it when I get the chance, and have even posted it on my school's dry erase board in the Computer Class before I left. I am now a graduated M.A, and although I have not found a job, that has def. not stopped me from having the passion that I have from what I gained through my externship. I am now currently studying to take the CMA exam in October of this year! Even though I have no "real" experience on site, I plan to further my education and someday take the LPN course!
Thanks to all your wonderful M.A's on here, I have gotten so much from this place. Your words and thoughts inspire me. We should all rally together and support one another, this is what we are here for and what all M.A's should be...united.

I am for state regulation of MA's and the acceptance of our skills by other members of the medical community. I know that we have the AAMA and other fine organizations that are specific to our position in the field of medicine but it is not enough to foster acceptance , and we as a profession need to come together and let our voices land upon the ears of the medical community. I beleive that this goal could be complete with a proper structure set in place.

One way to gain acceptance is to become involved in your local state medical society and the local Chapter in your area. Another way is to Educate potential employers about what MA's can offer to their practice. You know what you can do and the proper way to do it , But does your Employer Know ?

The Keypoint is Communication at all level's . Write a letter to your state medical board with the proposal of regulating / licesencing the profession of MEDICAL ASSISTING and Maybe suggest that two catagories of licesence be adopted (1) Clinical MA (2) Administrative MA . Both Positions are self explanitory in thier respective natures.

Try this and keep me Posted on your progress

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA -C PCA

Are You Still In School? American College of Physicians

Are You Working? Full Time Patient Care

Changes evolve. In my state, we now have Licensed Midwives, who are not nurses. If they can be licensed, so can Medical Assistants. Most of the openings here are requiring either CMAs or at least have completed an accredited program; with preference given to CMAs. The role delineation for Medical Assistants and LPNs is becoming blurred in clinics and medical offices. In fact, it is not even required here to be licensed to do Practical Nursing; although doctors offices are still requiring Licensed Practical Nurses. It is not just my state, the 2008-2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics actually lists all of the clinical duties of LPNs in ambulatory care, under the clinical duties of Medical Assistants; with additional clinical and administrative duties for Medical Assistants. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have an expanded scope of practice for Medical Assistants here. The states that are silent on Medical Assistants, actually have more latitude in their scope of practice. It may seems like nothing is happening, but it is. Read your State Statutes regarding Medical Assistants and you Nurse Practice Acts. See if you notice any changes in your state.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: BS, AD, CPNCC, SMA

Are You Still In School? Yes

Are You Working? Yes

I am For regulation so my vote is YES and I would authorize the use of this statement to be used in any and all petitions for the inception of possible regulation of the field of medical assisting.

We as a Profession need to become united on this cause if we are to further the acceptance of our Profession within the Medical Community.

To all Practicing Medical Assistants and Medical Assisting Students now is the time for action. together we can do this and yes it will not be an easy task but with determination we can make it become reality and reap the benefits and honors that come with Professional recognition by the State in which we plan to practice our Profession.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA PCA

Are You Working? Yes

Hi. Iam new to the forum and so happy to be a part of it. I say HELL YES! to licensure of medical assistants. Maybe this would help all of the great MAs out there get the respect and pay we so much deserve. Also, this may help to make it possible for us to further our education from MA to LPN/LVN/ or even RN. Please email me and let me know if I could help in any way to make this a possibility!! Just one more thing to ponder. Do you think that the "Nursing Shortage" we constantly hear about, will help bring about change? I wonder if there WASN'T a shortage, How could Hospitals, Doctors' offices and Nursing Homes afford to pay all RNs?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Medical Assistant

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

This is a little long; but I just found something that I think everyone will be interested in and I wanted to share it. 7 State Medical Boards already do have Medical Assisting laws:

Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, South Dakota and Washington State. Maryland and California's Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants is quite extensive. New Jersey Medical Assistants must have CMA or RMA credential, or credential from NCCT to practice. Arizona's scope of practice is also quite extensive, in addition to the more common duties that MAs are allowed to perform.

Other States:
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachsetts, Maine, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin; do not have specific laws or regulations regarding the practice of medical assisting. In these states, Medical Assistants can pretty much perform whatever duties the physician delegates, as long as is a procedure that can be delegated, the medical assistant has adequate training to perform the procedure, the physician provides adequate supervision and it is not otherwise prohibited by law.

A VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN ALL STATES: Is that the duties and procedures need to be delegated and supervised by a MEDICAL professional. That means a physician, osteopath, podiatrist, etc). Therefore we should not be delegated duties or supervised by nurses. The nurse practice acts may allow them to delegate to "UAPs" as they like to call us, but the State Medical Examining Boards state that physicians are the ones that should delegate and supervise MAs.

In 2001 AAMA and AMT agreed on a Model MA Practice Act. The law would include a mandatory CMA or RMA credential and completion of an accredited program; unless the MA was eligible for "grandfathering". They apparently have been working with the individual states to get this law passed. We should all write to our State Medical Examining Board to have this issue put into a bill. If anyone has any questions, I'll will try to answer them.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: BS, AD, CPNCC, CNMA

Are You Still In School? Yes

Are You Working? Yes