Question about MA's in ohio

suzanne4, RN · Jul 31, 2005

Being a "Medical Assistant" and a "Certified Medical Assistant" are two different things. One has been thru an approved program and takes an exam, and thus becomes certified. The other had on the job training.

She is functioning under the license fo the physician that she is working for.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 1, 2005

I have a questionabout MA's working in Ohio? I know of a person who works ina very reputable Clinic in ohio. She is working for a doctor as a "certified Medical Assistant". That is her title, yet she has NEVER been to any schooling for this, carries no degree or certificate from MA school? She is working with children and I was wondering how in this instance is she able to do this? Are they allowed to employ you as an MA just on your word? She is also giving injections, what they are exactly I am not sure but she is doing it?? Please enlighten me if you have any answeres I would love to hear them?? This just boggles my mind.

I am sure that she has undergone through some sort of training and may be a MA but in order to be certified she needs to have graduated from an accredited approved program (usually a diploma or Associates Degree). She works under the Doctor's license and in some states MA are able to give injections. She cannot call herself certified is she did not go to school for it as far as I am concerned. Maybe she did and you are not aware of it though.

alitory, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

She is an immediate family memeber, she went thru no school. So It seems from what suzzanne posted that she is able to work as an MA, under the liscense of the Doctor, but not a certified one. That makes more sense, but boggles my mind that they are allowed to give injections with just some OJT.

The other thing that annoys me, since i have worked very hard for my RN degree, is that she tells people she is a "nurse", or if people see her in scrubs, and refer to her as a nurse, she doesnt correct them???

Sorry for the ranting, I just was a little annoyed. But thank you all for your kind words helps me better understand the situation.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 1, 2005

She is an immediate family memeber, she went thru no school. So It seems from what suzzanne posted that she is able to work as an MA, under the liscense of the Doctor, but not a certified one. That makes more sense, but boggles my mind that they are allowed to give injections with just some OJT.
The other thing that annoys me, since i have worked very hard for my RN degree, is that she tells people she is a "nurse", or if people see her in scrubs, and refer to her as a nurse, she doesnt correct them???
Sorry for the ranting, I just was a little annoyed. But thank you all for your kind words helps me better understand the situation.

That is very wrong, :nono: she can probably get herself in lots of trouble for presenting herself as something she is not. And yes, they can perform certain things with just a little on the job training.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 1, 2005

If she is calling herself a "nurse" in the office, then that is against the BON regulations. You do not need rocket science education to be able to give an injection. Most offices were staffed with assistants for years and years and there were probably never any issues coming up with that.

And if you actually check back with your pediatrician's office, chances are that it was an assistant that gave you your injections, not an RN.

alitory, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

She has never called herself a nurse, in the office but she refers to herself to others as dr so and so's nurse.

Being a nurse myself know that injections dont take rocket science and I guess that was just one thing i honed in on, but she states that she does the assessments on these children as well as "all the other things the RN's in the office dont know how to do"? She states that Nursing school is a waste of time for her as she knows more than any nurse she knows. So thats what got me thinking, I wonder what her realm of care actually is? I wasnt sure and figured this would be the forum to ask!

Thank you guys again for your sound knowledge . I appreciate it!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Is she doing nursing assessments or asking the mother about what has been going on? She may be calling it something else.

Look on the bright side, your job will only increase in responsibilities and money if you want it. Hers will be staying the same. :)