Help, can a (CMA-certified medical assistant) Supervise an LVN???

[CRIMSON]

We have a problem at work, a new Certified Medical Assistant(not me)has been placed in a Supervisor role over the clinical back office staff???

One of the girls is an LVN and she is being told she must conform to Medical Assistant guidelines since, "she is in a clinical office setting which is designed for medical assistants." Is there any legal avenue which my friend the LVN can defend herself against the chick with the power trip?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

UPDATE: the CMA has only been one for about 3yrs, The LVN 13 yrs....and Yes they are letting her clinically supervise her and everyone else in the back office....Today she had the nerve to go in and pull a Dr. aside and proceed to counsel her on why she was running behind. ???.... and she is not the office manager or practice administrator....

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Check the state board's rules and regulations. If there's to be any argument against it, you'll probably need that kind of proof.

[2stush4u]

I would check the your state boards. This person is a medical assistant, what type of "real" training does this individual have over your friend who is a LVN. If anything I think it would be the other way around. I don't know about in your state, but in PA, their training is pretty basic..not as in depth as a LVN's.

[pnhopeful]

I think appointing managers etc.. is up to the discretion of the physician/individual office. I can't see that there is a law regarding who a private practice puts "in charge."

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I think appointing managers etc.. is up to the discretion of the physician/individual office. I can't see that there is a law regarding who a private practice puts "in charge."

:yeahthat: Does this CMA have more OFFICE experience then your LVN friend? Maybe your friend should try not to let it bother her and stop thinking that she is being supervised by some one "beneath her". This CMA could have lots of additional training. It does not take that much to be an office manager in a medical office setting. My office manager is a CMA and has been the office manager for several years. If they hired an LVN or even an RN they would not say "Oh she has higher 'ranking' than you, she is in charge now" many CMA's have administrative training as well as clinical training, and are trained specifically to run medical offices. I have a friend that works in the hospital and her manager who makes her schedule and everything is not an RN or anything, she has just had the job forever and is experienced.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I would check with the state board too.

But if this CMA is only an office manager and has no power over medical decisions and does not direct the LVN to do anything medical, then I don't see a problem.

If she makes up the schedule that the clinical back office staff work, then no problem. If she is overseeing the medical practice of an LVN, I'd say my gut says no.

Personally, I wouldn't do it regardless.

steph

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am an LVN at a large nursing home with 300 employees. One of my managers, the staffing coordinator, is a CNA. She has less education and training than me, but it doesn't bother me that she is a manager with her own office and company-issued pager.

I also work at a psychiatric hospital where one of my managers, a staffing coordinator, is a mental health technician with no formal education or training. She has her own office and fills a managerial role over me, but it doesn't really bother me much.

[smk1, LPN]

A CMA cannot direct or supervise an LPN clinically because the LPN is bound by the state boards of nursing and the only people that clinically supervise LPNs are MD, DO, DDS, DMD, RN, NP, PA from what I read in our state regs. I would imagine this is the same for other states as well. A licensed person would need another licensed person to supervise or direct their clinical practice. If the CMA is just an administrative supervisor, then I don't see a problem, but there has to be a clear understanding that a CMA can't delegate to an LPN or direct the care. At least this is what the state regs point to in my state.

[EltonONCMA]

First of all in the chain of command an MA cannot delegate to anyone because they hold no state approved license. I am an MA in an oncology practice,and we strictly work under the supervision of an LPN/RN. She has no right clinically to give orders or delegate any task to a nurse. She cannot make assesments nor can she formulate a plan of care. She is not a nurse in any capacity, and their are serious litigations that could take place if the DR's don't step in. It should be the other way around,tell your friend to tell her, "she is a NURSE and she is not, She has a deeper knowledge than she does, therefore she has no right to tell her to do anything clinically!!!

[Bala Shark]

Wow, a medical assistant was questioning a doctor??? That is very dangerous..I mean of course the MD has reasons be run behind but it does not need to be questioned at all..

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

A CMA cannot direct or supervise an LPN clinically because the LPN is bound by the state boards of nursing and the only people that clinically supervise LPNs are MD, DO, DDS, DMD, RN, NP, PA from what I read in our state regs. I would imagine this is the same for other states as well. A licensed person would need another licensed person to supervise or direct their clinical practice. If the CMA is just an administrative supervisor, then I don't see a problem, but there has to be a clear understanding that a CMA can't delegate to an LPN or direct the care. At least this is what the state regs point to in my state.

:yeahthat: 100% concur...administrate re scheduling, vactations, reporting off, inservice time, CPR expiration etc, but nothing to do with clinical practice issues.