What is your opinion of medical assistants?

Nurses General Nursing

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As you could see from my profile, I work as a CNA in a medical office, we specialize in pain managment, while I'm going to nursing school (ADN). One of the women I work with is also a CNA and is going to school to be a CMA. Now, while I have done some research and know that often times, CMAs can perform many skills that nurses (both LPN and RN) can legally perform, such as administering medications, doing vital signs, and a few other things applicable to a physican's office, I also know that a CMA does not equal a nurse, neither LPN or RN.

The woman seems to believe that a CMA is the same as a PA (Physican's Assistant), which obviously it's not.

For example: Our lab (we do urine drug screens) was short handed one day and another of my coworker's daughters filled in for the lab. The daughter and the woman going to school to be a CMA were in the breakroom when the daughter asked what a CMA was. She was told that it was "one step below a DO," of couse, the girl didn't know what a DO is, and she informed her that once she's certified she'll be able to sign prescriptions... Sure, that's legal.

Now, mind you, the office manager was told of this and she had a "meeting" with the woman to clear up these "issues." But, she still thinks that a CMA is higher than an RN.

Anyway, I thought I'd reach out to some RNs and ask what your opinion is of CMAs in general, and things like if they should be made to think that they are better then RNs because they do medical records, etc. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks :redbeathe

I don't understand what you mean by that. How can a Medical Assistant "sign rx on behalf of a physician"? I've noticed people saying it is commonplace now for the nurse to write out the prescription for the doctor to sign, but how does a doctor prescribe something and then not sign it?

In my state you don't even have to go to school to be a Medical Assistant if the doctor wants to train you.

The MA's have log-ins to escribe. The rx says Esigned by MA/LPN/RN whoever submits the rx is technically signing it. They could take a verbal order and punch it into the computer. That is why I said they can technically sign the order, but cannot prescribe the orderl

I recently went to my family doctor and was prescribed Levothyroxine 150mcg. The lady came in to provide teaching about the medication. "Take this medication with your dinner every evening to prevent an upset stomach, okay?"

I bet this PCP prescribes a lot of sleeping pills for insomnia if all his patients are taking Levothyroxine that close to bed time.

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isn't MA school only like 2 months long? how could she possible think she's only just below the level of a doctor when she hardly has any schooling? Wow, It amazes me all the time how clueless or arrogant some people are.

I asked her once if she was taking a certificate or diploma course, she told me it was an associates level degree. Which, of course, conflicts with her idea that CMA=PA, when you consider that a PA has to have a masters degree.

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I think maybe I should clarify what I was asking, as this has obviosly gotten off topic into some weird territories about legalities. I asked about MAs in general, but I was directing the question more closely to the situation with this woman.

I don't want to down CMAs in any way, shape, or form, as I feel that a competent worker is just that, but when someone tries to be something they are not, it is confusing for the patient and can be dangerous as well. As some of the other posters have said, nurses are extensively trained on assessing patients, providing interventions (both independent and physician ordred), and evaluating the care given, and CMAs are not, for clarity I have posted a link for her school: http://www.national-college.edu/programs/medical/maa.htm

I do have a quick question for those who are saying that an MA or even CMA can sign a presciption for a physician. I may be completely off-base here, but how would it be legal for a pharamcy to fill a prescription for Dr. John Doe signed by Suzy Smith, CMA? Or, if she signed Dr. Doe's name on the prescription, wouldn't that be considerd forgery and possibly impersonation of a doctor/practicing medicine without a license?

The only information I can find is in California, and it says that a MA can call-in refills to a pharamcy, but only under the direct supervision of the physician. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_questions.html

If anyone has any information about this, it would be appreciated. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
I do have a quick question for those who are saying that an MA or even CMA can sign a presciption for a physician. I may be completely off-base here, but how would it be legal for a pharamcy to fill a prescription for Dr. John Doe signed by Suzy Smith, CMA? Or, if she signed Dr. Doe's name on the prescription, wouldn't that be considerd forgery and possibly impersonation of a doctor/practicing medicine without a license?

The only information I can find is in California, and it says that a MA can call-in refills to a pharamcy, but only under the direct supervision of the physician. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_questions.html

If anyone has any information about this, it would be appreciated. Thanks again!

Sorry, yes, you are correct- refills or clarification/authorizations only. The initial script must be MD-signed.

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I do have a quick question for those who are saying that an MA or even CMA can sign a presciption for a physician. I may be completely off-base here, but how would it be legal for a pharamcy to fill a prescription for Dr. John Doe signed by Suzy Smith, CMA? Or, if she signed Dr. Doe's name on the prescription, wouldn't that be considerd forgery and possibly impersonation of a doctor/practicing medicine without a license?

The only information I can find is in California, and it says that a MA can call-in refills to a pharamcy, but only under the direct supervision of the physician. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_questions.html

If anyone has any information about this, it would be appreciated. Thanks again!

I work in a mail order pharmacy and every state has different laws. We fax for further clarification to certain states and accept from other states. It's legal.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
The MA's have log-ins to escribe. The rx says Esigned by MA/LPN/RN whoever submits the rx is technically signing it. They could take a verbal order and punch it into the computer. That is why I said they can technically sign the order, but cannot prescribe the orderl

Oh, I see. Our doctors still use paper usually. In my state an MA can't take a verbal order so it sounds functionally no different than an MA using the doctor's rx pad, filling it out, signing it, and taking it to the pharmacy or giving it to someone else to take to the pharmacy. If the pharmacist took exception to that method, the stating of "I am signing this on behalf of the doctor" wouldn't be acceptable in any pharmacy that I know of.

If you are using a form of e-prescribing, I assume there would be an extra step in there, such as use of a password - that is not the same as an MA signing on behalf of the doctor. Even then, if I were a pharmacist I'd probably want another safeguard built into it - otherwise it would be very easy for someone to use the system in an unauthorized manner.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Give your aspiring MA the following website to peruse. It should help set things in order, if only by the salary figures....

http://education.yahoo.net/articles/trendy_health_care_careers.htm?kid=1HRWB

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It really is not an issue for an MA to sign an rx. We fill millions of prescriptions every year written this way. Some precribers have a stamp, some states like Arizona have made the stamped signature illegal to accept, but other states it is fine. The OP said that the MA signs prescriptions (she probably does) and is not prescribing drugs. That's what I was pointing out. What I read from the OP, what this lady is doing/saying does not sound bad, she sounds like a woman who has pride in her work, good for her. (If she is functioning in a different scope of practice I would call the appropriate boards of nursing, pharmacy (if prescribing) or state licensing offices and report her.) the OP's question was "What is your opinion of medical assistants?"

My answer it depends on my interactions with the specific person. I don't judge an entire group of people based on one person. And saying she can sign an rx is perfectly legal if the doctor delegates it to her. I just don't understand what kind of response is needed for "things like if they should be made to think that they are better then RNs because they do medical records, etc. Any input would be appreciated.". An RN is a nurse, a CMA is an assistant. Two different functions, but both very necessary to the healthcare industry. A RN is not better then a CNA because the CNA has different functions then a RN, a CNA can make your shift great or terrible.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I was curious about the unconventional way you accept prescriptions at your pharmacy. I was visualizing the typical scenario of a local pharmacy, not a mail order pharmacy that sends out to other states. You answered the question. Thank you.

As to the topic -- the CMA student was overheard telling someone that a Certified Medical Assistant is "one step below a PA". It is not. They aren't in the same ball park.

from the first post:

She was told that it was "one step below a DO," of couse, the girl didn't know what a DO is, and she informed her that once she's certified she'll be able to sign prescriptions... Sure, that's legal.

I believe the OP was using sarcasm - because no, it is not legal. Correcting the record for those few people who may not know that. Take care.

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