Ok, here is my view of this debate. First of all, I was a CMA prior to GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, to get my Associates in LPN. During the CMA class time we studied, Medical Law Practices aimed at CMA's, we learned the names and functions of a handful of instruments, to medically assist the Doctor doing a simple procedures, like sutures, I & D's, pap's etc. I had to to take a certification exam. Nonetheless it was an exam of my knowledge in math skills, A & P, administrative and clinical skills. I was taught how to take an EKG on a patient, not read them. I was taught how to perform venipunvtures only. No IV's. (Couldn't beleive a CMA thought she could do this...). I was taught in microbiology and therefore after science labs of looking at organisms and cells,(RBC's WBC w/diff, ua dipstick,etc)I was able to perform and tested out to do SIMPLE procedures. Including VS and abnormals.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school. My thought is this, I left a very violent marriage with a child and had to depend on "welfare" while I got my **** together. I couldn't afford to go to an LPN or RN [rpgram at that time. I call it situational choosing, and I have that right! I was hired immediately after graduating and passing my EXAM (certificate), and then carried on to LPN school.(After making some money on my own).
When I worked as a CMA I was allowed in my state under a Doc and report to patients their lab results after the doctor reviewed and told me to call pt to let them know.(Pos or Neg strep throat, doc says U have a UA infection etc,). I beleive that every state has their parameters for a CMA, I chose the clinical side of the MA picture. I also was required to have 13 CEU's per year. I took the same CEU's that maybe an RN or LPN took or directed to them. Why? Cause I love to learn.
I was a **** good CMA. I did my job, I scheduled CT's, MRI's, understood the reasoning and used my skill that I was TAUGHT IN SCHOOL. Just like I use my LPN skills now. A Medical Assistant is not a bad thing, there are some bad Medical Assistants, just like LPN'S, RN's, Doc's etc. I beleive in ethical behaviour no matter what field you are in. I will continue to climb the ladder up towards my RN, in my own time. I'm just sorry too hear about all the bad experiences ya'll have had with MA's or CMA's. Thanks for the vent.
