Med assistant for NP

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Any mid level providers out there who can help me understand costs and explain to the Physicians I work for the way to compensate a mid level? Briefly, I have been in practice for 10 years with a physician owned group. I initially allowed them to not provide me a med assistant and now I find I am having to fight for one. I believe I am underpaid as well. Would appreciate some feedback....how many of you are working without help and are you being paid more due to this?

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

So who triages the patients and takes vitals signs? When you need a med given, do you give it? Basically I would argue that if I had an MA I could see more patients!!! DUH. A good MA sets up the room for you after triage and can get some basic tests done so before you go in the ua dip or strep or xyz test is on the chart.

You are a provider just like the physician.

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A great MA can make all the difference in your practice - and help you build rapport with your patients. I'm a little biased, perhaps, because I've been a Certified Medical Assistant for 19+ years.

An MA can handle your incoming calls from patients and pharmacies - most of which do not require your training or license to deal with. He or she can return phone calls to patients after you've answered questions or sent a script to the pharmacy for them - which saves you from getting on the phone with patients who have just one more thing they need to ask you about while they have you on the phone.

An MA can shmooze your patients when you're running behind, which makes them happier since they always feel someone is paying attention to them and they've not been forgotten.

An MA will process your lab specimens, fill out prior authorization paperwork, draw labs, administer meds, take accurate vital signs, chaperone during male or female exams to help cover your butt legally, and give you a partner to help keep your day on track. He or she will save your sanity.

If you've been at this job for 10 years and are having to fight for an MA, a raise, or basic respect from other providers then it may be time to seek greener pastures. Honestly, if they've had you for cheap all this time they have NO incentive to suddenly pony up more cash and all the costs incurred with hiring an MA.

IF they do decide to hire someone to work with you, though, insist on being in on the decision making. A great MA can make your day, but a bad one will ruin your reputation.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Mammac5 - I need you!

Nice post - thanks.

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Mammac5 - I need you!

Nice post - thanks.

Thanks, Trauma. I was so darned good at that job that now I'm a soon-to-graduate Adult NP!

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Specializes in ER; CCT.

Perhaps it might be time to reevaluate your position as a NP with the organization and to reflect on which profession you are in and which level you are at (see below). If you consider yourself a midlevel provider in the profession of medicine, then you are relegated as a dependent technician staff member and consequently, should have little, if any, input on the direction of any component of the practice more than just an advisory opinion.

As an example, and as a technical mid level provider, it might be decided that you start calling patients back from the waiting room, performing vital signs, then providing a technical assessment on patients followed by cleaning up the room afterwards and perhaps making sure the physicians have coffee.

If however, you view yourself as a top-tier member of the nursing profession, then this is a different story. In this case, you are not a mid level provider but a professional nurse at the top of the nursing-practice pyramid. Consequently, you—as a top-tier provider of nursing must set professional boundaries to ensure the best possible outcomes for your patients. This includes, making sure the practice—which is generating money from your professional services as a NP—not as a technican-- provides for those resources requisite in caring for your patients. Perhaps if they are not willing to do this, then they really don’t need you, but the services of a mid level provider. That’s OK, though, because there are plenty of mid levels around as well as places that really do need professional top-tier nurses.

Profession of Nursing Practice Levels

NP/CRNA/CNS/CNM

RN

LVN

CNA

Profession of Medicine Practice Levels (not exhaustive)

Physician

Physician Assistant

Respiratory Therapist

Scrub Tech

EMT-Paramedic

Medical Assistant

EMT-Basic

Profession of Pharmacy Practice Levels

Pharmacist

Pharmacy Technician

Profession of Dental Practice Levels

Dentist

Dental Hygienist

Dental Assistant

Profession of Physical Therapy Practice Levels

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Aide

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Just out of curiousity Dr. Tammy, are you a Phd or a do you hold a doctorate? I don't mean this to be rude in any way but I am not sure why you label yourself as "doctor" but do not add your phd or dnp credentials after your name...

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Specializes in ER; CCT.
Just out of curiousity Dr. Tammy, are you a Phd or a do you hold a doctorate? I don't mean this to be rude in any way but I am not sure why you label yourself as "doctor" but do not add your phd or dnp credentials after your name...

Only so many characters will fit so I had to triage out a few and use the short version. Here's the long one:

Dr. Tammy, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-C, GNP-C, PHN, RN, EMT-P

Does that work for you?

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Dr. Tammy - - Cool credentials;)

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"Only so many characters will fit so I had to triage out a few and use the short version. Here's the long one:

Dr. Tammy, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-C, GNP-C, PHN, RN, EMT-P

Does that work for you? "

Heck yea, you go girl! But if you are going to triage words you should put DNP first like you did above, just a thought miss thang :hug: lol.

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