Medical Assistant introducing self as "nurse"

[jandog]

When I call my PCP's office for a question for the doctor, the automated recording is if you need to speak to a nurse press #2. Then someone answers the phone "this is one of the nurses, how may I help you?" There are no nurses in my doctor's office. I know for a fact they are all medical assistants. My sister happens to be clinical coordinator for several drs. offices, and this is one of her offices. I was just wondering if it was legal to introduce yourself as a nurse, if you are a medical assistant? In fact, they don't even state their name when answering the "nurses extension". I have no problem with "medical assistants". In fact, I was one before nursing, but I would always correct someone if they called me a "nurse" at the time. I told my sister that perhaps they could address themselves as a "clinical technician", if they don't like the title of medical assistant. I was just wondering about any legal issues there?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Maybe your Dr.'s office retains a telephone triage nurse to take calls?

I was thinking the same thing as well. Need to verify that.

Otherwise I agree this is in direct violation of BON rules/regs. Illegal and fraudulent.

[jlamb]

I was thinking the same thing as well. Need to verify that.

Otherwise I agree this is in direct violation of BON rules/regs. Illegal and fraudulent.

I was a MA many,many years ago. I graduated in 1974 from the Medical Assistant Program at Southeastern Comm. College in Iowa. I became a RN in 1979.

An MA is fine in a doctor's office, but they are not a nurse, and should not state they are. I have called the doctor and his assistants' attention to that. In a court of law, the doctor is held responsible for his office staff actions most times. A nurse should be identified as a nurse and wear a name badge (even if just first name and title), and the same goes for the assistants. The patient deserves to know who they are talking to. Patients are getting more savvy about their care.

BON also have rules about who is licensed to do what, and their title. I do not know of any BON that says a medical assistant can use the title "nurse."

[mattsmom81]

Some of the MA programs show ads with MA's dressed in whites with caps. and they also have capping ceremonies. So I feel the MA population is intentionally abusing the public trust of nurses and impersonating us. but they will continue as long as we tolerate it. Expose 'em all I say!