Want to Be a Medical Assistant One Day? Master These 3 Things

A medical assistant training program is extensive and covers a wide range of topics and technical skills. However, outside the medical treatments and procedures, there are a few key things to learn to leverage your skills and be an effective medical assistant and provide the best possible care for your patients.

Patient Privacy
Canada has two main privacy policy laws: the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Complete knowledge of both laws, as well as any particular policies a specific medical practice may have, is vital to ensuring you always follow regulations and ensure the protection of patient data. Health IT Security explains that data protection is a huge issue in the medical field, and it is imperative for every member of the medical team to ensure the security of sensitive data.

Professionalism
In any job, professionalism is really important. The medical field is one of the most stressful places to work, and it can be challenging to maintain a polished demeanor at times, but understanding how to interact with coworkers in all positions across allied health is critical to maintaining a strong work performance. More importantly, however, is professionalism with patients. Midwest Institute explains that medical assistants take critical tasks off the doctor’s plate through regular interaction with the patients. Ensure that you are treating each patient with respect and the best medical care that you can provide.

Bedside Manner
There is overwhelming evidence in the medical community that a positive bedside manner helps with patient compliance and outcomes. It is important to keep in mind that a positive bedside manner is not only a reflection of what you say but also how you say it. Capson explains that body language, tone of voice and time spent with the patient are all essential aspects to consider. Additionally, while not immediately apparent, bedside manner extends to the family and friends of the patient as well. Seek to treat everyone in the room with the patient with respect and clearly explain the procedures and protocols to alleviate stress in the patient.

Being an effective medical assistant is a challenging but also rewarding job. Maximizing positive outcomes and productivity involves more than just having an understanding of the medical science behind conditions and treatments. Learning these key components will help you become a more efficient medical assistant who can build better patient confidence and outcomes.

Here are a couple helpful articles on similar subjects!
What You Need to Do to Become a Doctor in Canada
How New Doctors Can Impress Both Patients and Coworkers