I have also noticed that there have not been very many replies on this subject lately. I am a CMA and aworking in a Neurology Clinic. I am proud to be a Medical Assistant, but I really don't think that we would ever receive licensure. One thing that would knock us back some , is the fact that there are plenty of LPNs. out there who can and are replacing a lot of MA,s especially in physician offices. I truly don't even know why there is such a job title of Medical Assistant. I have decided to return to school to become a Nurse, atleast then, I should see some type of compensation worthy of having to go to school for. As I see it now, Medical Assistants are basically treated like underpaid over glorified nursing assistants. Several MA's that I have talked with about this licensure thing, agree that it is just a waste of time even discusiing the issue. It will never happen. My advice to all other MA's is to return to school and just earn the true tile of "Nurse", and atleast enjoy being paid for doing very little.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Certifed Medical Assistant

Are You Still In School? Yes

Are You Working? Yes

Because it takes drive and initiative to get a "grassroots" endeavor off the ground. There are not enough core people really interested to get the ball rolling.

I know this for a fact - the AMT won't even address this issue. Why beats me. I guess the really big thing here is that the AMA is really going to be behind such a push. And that will cost them money. Certified MAs will require higher pay. What doctor wants to pay more?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: B.S.E., RMA, AHI

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

Hi -- I came across this interesting and thoughtful forum while looking for information for my daughter, who is commencing a course of MA studies.

There are definite benefits to a state license as many of you have pointed out. A national program would be even better, but more complicated to get instituted. A key point raised earlier is that MA's have a limited scope of practice, and ultimately are under the control of the doctor who is held accountable if someone gets hurt.

One thing you might not have thought of is this. (Leave it to a lawyer to think of this, right?) What happens if someone gets sued for malpractice? As it is now, it would appear that the doctor is the one who pays. If you are licensed, you could be held accountable financially, be required to have malpractice insurance, and that would relieve the doctor's of a LOT of liability. (Which THEY would sure like -- I didn't kill him, the MA killed him.)

The doctors would be less likely to be accountable for negligent entrustment, also. Imagine this scenerio on the witness stand,

"Doctor Welby, why did you allow the MA to perform the procedure that killed Mr. Smith, when the MA was a quasi-reformed heroin addict, and a convicted murderer, rapist and drunk driver?"
Answer, now:
Welby: "You're right, you should have my house and car."

The answer after licensing?
Welby: "I had no idea. He was LICENSED by the state, and I'm entitled to rely on the state licensing."

Another point. Having appeared before the state nursing board with a client, I can tell you that adding a level of discipline will have its own (undesirable) complications.

Mark

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Attorney at Law

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

Thank you Mark for posting your views from a different perspective.

You know... we here, in this medical assistant forum, truly try our best, and although we always find our own answers and share great advise based on experience, we often lack some "outside" views, such as you have provided today. Shedding a different light from a different angle was very interesting and helpful!!!

A few years ago I published a two page essay on on exactly this topic: Malpractice and Liability for Mistakes and Accidents in the Medical Office (pertaining to medical assistants). Although this report is not new, I don't think much has changed over time.

I am NOT a lawyer, therefore the article is not to be taken as legal advice. However, based on my research, I believe what I wrote it is true.

We live in the USA, where anybody can sue anybody if they feel they have a case. It is a big misconception, and misbelief, among medical assistants that they cannot, or will not be named in a law suit.

Same misconception exists among volunteers! Should they ever decide to volunteer, or work at a part-time position, or do private health care duty, performing these jobs and circumstances open them up to a possible law suit should something go wrong.

Even if the accused is completely innocent, defending innocence can still wind up wiping a person completely out, emotionally and financially.

READ:
Mistakes and Accidents
http://www.medicalassistant.net/prof_liability_ins.htm

Malpractice and Liability
http://www.medicalassistant.net/prof_liability_policy.htm

------------------------

Because I own and manage a number of medical assistant websites and this medical assistant message board I DO CARRY PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY and ERRORS & OMISSION insurance, simpy for the fact that I could wind up getting sued for something that's posted here, or written on my site! To me, that's a few thousand dollars very well spent each year.

Medical assistants should seriously consider their own malpractice insurance policy for the same reason. I have always said that....


Danni R.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site admin

Oh... that's right Mark.

I should have added that I agree with you. Licensing will have it's advantages (more consistency, uniform scope of practice definitions, more pay) and disadvantages (being held responsible for your own acts and actions at a much higher level in the court of law).

Indeed!!!!



Danni R.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site admin

Thanks for the thoughtfull reply, Danni.

I looked over your articles and agree with nearly everything you say.

One point on the standard of care however -- I think the standard of care may actually be higher than "reasonable person." Since you are acting in your professional capacity, and with specialized training, I would expect that you would be held to the standard of a "reasonably prudent MA, acting according to local standards." This is not my area of practice, and this is NOT legal advice, but my naive expectation would be that you would be held to a higher standard than just reasonable person off the street.

I was curious about the Dannenhold v. Knoxville Pathology case that you talked about, and tried to look it up. You didn't cite the state or the reporter, and I couldn't find it by looking up the names of the parties. If you could give us a little more information on where the court of appeals case was reported, I'd love to look it up.

I'm curious about how much liability they imposed on the cytotechnologist, and was wondering if there were other facts used in the reasoning, and if the tech shared liability with anyone else.

Thanks
Mark

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Attorney at Law

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

I kept looking and found the case Danni cited. It's actually "unpublished," which means that another court cannot rely on it as an authority (although another court could repeat its reasoning.)

The case is actually DANNENHOLD v. PATHOLOGY GROUP, 03A01-9710-CV-00443 (Tenn.App. 11-11-1998).

The court of appeals actually said something a little different than what your article said. (And this stuff is kind of complicated, I don't mean to be overly critical of you here.)

The court of appeals said:

The pathologists who issued the 1991 and 1993 reports did not actually view either of the slides, but on both occasions issued the negative diagnosis by relying on the pre-screen reading given the slides by a cytotechnologist.[fn4] The diagnosis of the pap smear is issued only in the name of the pathologist and the patient is charged the same for the pap smear diagnosis, regardless of whether the slide was actually read by the pathologist or reported based only on the pre-screen reading given by the cytotechnologist. The cytotechnologists should have recognized the slides to be abnormal in 1991 and in 1993 and should have identified them for further review by the supervising pathologist who would be issuing the reports for that day.


I think if you read between the lines of the opinion, the court is really saying, "Look you lazy ass MD's, would it kill you to get off your butts and read a few more slides? You are CHARGING everyone the same. So do your **** job!"

But I agree with Danni in general that the cytotechnologist may have liability for mis-reading a slide, but I don't think that case shows it, or shows how much. A question left for another day, as the courts are fond of saying...

Best wishes,
Mark

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Attorney at Law

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

Mark, without realizing it, you have done me a great favor. I remember looking into this close to my graduation from medical assisting school in December/January 1998.

I pieced the article back together from my notes a couple years later, around 2000 or 2001 but in looking back I could no longer find the actual source to cite it properly. Without knowing much about the case I gave up on the search. Today you have dug it up for me. I am really glad and will now add my references and source.

BTW. I found your feedback and putting things into "layman's terms" very helpful and rather enjoyable. Great point. Looks like we both learned something new today thanks to this Medical Assisting Forum. That's actually the reason why it's here.

I hope you will point your daughter to this forum once she starts her medical assisting training. It is a very rewarding field one can get into fast---and then, if so inspired, continue on to a higher field, such as medical technologist, or nursing. Some, however, make it their life-long career and just love it.

It opens doors to many different opportunities. I became a well known web developer/designer because of it... a little bit different from the rest, but nevertheless, it goes right back to my medical assistant training.

Glad you came by today.

I am wishing you and your aspiring daughter all the best in all future endeavors. I am sure she will do great!!!!

Danni

Your Professional Title/Credentials: Website Owner/Site Admin

Would a licensure mean that MA's would no longer be competing with CNA's for medical office work? I never saw that coming when I was in school. It's a problem where I live in FL. Even though I love what I do everyday at work, I feel I'm in a deadend position and am considering LPN next but still only want to work in a medical office.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CCMA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

Can you explain that more? Are you saying that where you are at,CNAs are getting MA positions? How can that happen?

I don't know if licensure is an answer,or if it will ever come to be,but something that should be enforced is MANDATORY CERTIFICATION. I don't know how it is in the MA field,how much on-the-job-training still goes on,but in phlebotomy,all but 2 states in the US will hire just anyone in some places,with or without extensive training. Does anyone know if some offices will actually hire a completely untrained person for a medical assistant position?

Your Professional Title/Credentials: RMA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Not in months

I was recently hired after answering an ad for a CMA/CNA position that was previously filled by CNA's in a primary care office. At just about any given time, there are 3-4 ads in my paper just like that. I was competing with CNA's for medical office positions in primary care and ob/gyn. I am this practice's first CMA. It was discouraging to compete with CNA's. While I waited for an interview, a CNA came in for an interview also...wearing her scrubs. I refused the job due to the hours involved. However, I did have an offer of employment from a specialist who told me she "only hires MA's". I guess if a CNA can assist a nurse in a clinical setting...why not a medical office? From an MD's perspective...they are cheap to hire and are already trained to take vitals. CMA's have a long way to go to earn respect in this field and licensure may be the only way to get there.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CCMA

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes

The reason the aama does not want ma's to be licensed is because it would be the 'state' that issues the license and not the 'aama'.

licensure is done through the "government level". In order to get a 'ma license', you would need to take an exam from the licensing board of your state ....just like nurses do. The state would issue the license...hense the aama would not be needed.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: lpn

Are You Still In School? no

Are You Working? yes

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