I had a curious encounter at the doctor's office today. When I went in for my physical, a woman in scrubs came in ahead of the doc. She was wearing scrubs but no name tag. We hadn't met before, so I asked if she was a nurse. Yes, she replied.
I then presented her with paperwork outlining the shots I needed for school. As she looked over the paperwork, she volunteered that she was not a nurse but, in fact, a medical assistant. Oh, really? I replied. Where do you go to school for that? (I was genuinely curious.)
Well, she replied, she didn't go to school. She wasn't a "certified medical assistant," in her words, but "had a lot of experience." In fact, she'd been a CNA for 16 years, but this particular medical practice, as she explained it, "isn't like a hospital and doesn't care if you're ceritified." Hmm. Later on, the doctor sent her back to draw blood.
What would your reaction be? Obviously, she called herself a nurse, and she isn't one. (I wonder if she would have volunteered that info had she not seen my paperwork.) She called herself a medical assistant, then volunteered that she wasn't credentialed. I know nothing about MAs. Is that kosher? And what level of license does someone have to hold to be allowed to draw blood? (For what it's worth, this is the only person I've dealt with in many years at this doctor's office who wasn't wearing a name tag with credentials. Is there any kind of identification requirement?)
There is a big difference between a CNA and a CMA.
I didn't claim they are the same. There used to be both certified and non-certified nurse's assistants. You could not use the CNA title unless the cert was possessed. Until there is no such thing as a non-certified MA, then non-certified MAs can claim to be MAs, just not CMAs.
There are so many other things in life to worry about then this. I wish that was all I had to worry about.
You're right, but this is a thread with this subject thats being discussed, I don't think any of us nurses are losing sleep over it.
The issue IS NOT about whether an MA, or CNA for that matter, is qualified to the job they were trained to do. The issue is about misrepresentation within a health care setting. It's dangerous. That is what nurses are concerned with regarding this issue.
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Once again DusktilDawn, good post. I completely agree with it all, especially the above. If pt's think the UAP is a nurse then things can get sticky and who knows what situations can arise?
nope just taken WAY out of context---------
I'm again disappointed with another student who doesn't seem to care. What is going on?
Now you know how if feels to be a CMA who went to school two years and to see all those that did not go to school calling themselves MA's.
Ok maybe it is just me but where are all these people that are misrepresenting themselves as MA's? I have never heard of such a thing but I sure have heard of a LOT of people lying about being a nurse. Honestly, MA's are an important part of the healthcare team but I have just not heard of anyone lying about saying they were one when they were not
Now you know how if feels to be a CMA who went to school two years and to see all those that did not go to school calling themselves MA's.
Ok maybe it is just me but where are all these people that are misrepresenting themselves as MA's? I have never heard of such a thing but I sure have heard of a LOT of people lying about being a nurse. Honestly, MA's are an important part of the healthcare team but I have just not heard of anyone lying about saying they were one when they were not
I don't think dbowen02 is saying they are misrepresenting themselves. If I recall correctly, dbowens02 went through a 2 year associates degree program to become a CMA. I think her comment reflects the frustration that those with no formal education can be allowed to call themselves an MA. This is exactly why nurses are frustrated when those that do not have the qualifications of a nurse are calling themselves "nurses."
Originally Posted by Heart4RN
Here is a quote from Medical Board of California: "Medical assistants are not licensed, certified, or registered by the State of California. However, the medical assistant's employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by a national or private association. A medical assistant must be certified by one of the approved certifying organizations in order to train other medical assistants. (Title 16 CCR 1366.3)"
See, what bothers me about this, is that the state doesn't require registration, licensure, or certification for MAs, unless they are training other medical assistants, but it's OK for malpractice insurance carriers to require it. The thing is, if a malpractice insurance carrier feels it's necessary for MAs to be certified, why doesn't the state?
You know, these questions are almost impossible to address on a site that is not state-specific. It's kind of a shame because they should all be addressed. Aside from that point, it is also unfortunate that we do not have legal expertise, which this really would benefit from. In the CA scope of practice, it states that we can do blood draws if trained by a supervising MD or RN. Fortunately, my class was certified. I think the bottom line here is that as consumers, we need to always ask, not assume. Anyone can buy scrubs and CLAIM anything! I'm surprised this person didn't just ask the doctor! Was she intimidated? By a doctor? A nurse? Just asking a question or two should be right in line with what we do in addition to nursing, we advocate.
As for being nurses, as compared to consumers, we should know our scope of practice, scope of practice for all who we delegate to, and therin lies the responsibility to whomever asked the question. You need to check out the scope of practice for MAs in YOUR state, do your homework, and then you will never be faced with an issue regarding YOUR license. Good luck, it's a lot of homework, but worth it to know these things!
One more thing... there is so much to this question that it's impossible to go into it all.. there are unlicensed and licensed pharmacy techs, opticians, MAs, phlebotomists, and more... but I was always certified. What I found, was that you didn't make any money because it IS legal to have them UNCERTIFIED, just trained. it's up to the employer to follow policies and procedures, and most hospitals and clinics and such use licensed personnel. In the case of others, like independent pharmacies, small optical offices, etc, they usually do not. I was amazed that the people I worked with were not certified, yet wore the white coats. It's all about the buck, folks, for sure! In closing, ALWAYS ask, if your health depends on it, it's worth it! If your patient's health depends on it, it's worth it. If it's just curiosity, let it go, there's enough to worry about in this world! If it's the law, just go to management, but be sure to do your homework first, some of these "facts" posted are not facts. We all do our best. Let's just keep doing that, and be informed and knowledgable about our own states, and the scopes of practice for those who delegate to us, and those we delegate to. It sometimes takes an expert in the state to know exactly what that is!
You're right, but this is a thread with this subject thats being discussed, I don't think any of us nurses are losing sleep over it.
I just think some people have their feeling out on their shoulders.
Once again DusktilDawn, good post. I completely agree with it all, especially the above. If pt's think the UAP is a nurse then things can get sticky and who knows what situations can arise?
I'm again disappointed with another student who doesn't seem to care. What is going on?
Ok maybe it is just me but where are all these people that are misrepresenting themselves as MA's? I have never heard of such a thing but I sure have heard of a LOT of people lying about being a nurse. Honestly, MA's are an important part of the healthcare team but I have just not heard of anyone lying about saying they were one when they were not
If they did not go to school to be a medical asst., then they are not a medical asst. Same, if they did not go to school to be a nurse, they are not a nurse.
I don't think dbowen02 is saying they are misrepresenting themselves. If I recall correctly, dbowens02 went through a 2 year associates degree program to become a CMA. I think her comment reflects the frustration that those with no formal education can be allowed to call themselves an MA. This is exactly why nurses are frustrated when those that do not have the qualifications of a nurse are calling themselves "nurses."
Thank you for understanding what I am trying to say.
If they did not go to school to be a medical asst., then they are not a medical asst. Same, if they did not go to school to be a nurse, they are not a nurse.
Nooooo.......if they did not go to school to be a certified medical assistant, then they are not a CMA. Until non-certified medical assistants are no longer recognized, they can claim to be a medical assistant. Just like non-certified nursing assistants could call themselves nursing assistants. It does not equate with nurses because there is no such thing as an unlicensed nurse. There are such things as non-certified medical assistants.
By the way, I feel the same way you do, that no one should be allowed to call themselves MAs unless they went to school, but I'm not talking about my feelings, I'm talking about fact.
Nooooo.......if they did not go to school to be a certified medical assistant, then they are not a CMA. Until non-certified medical assistants are no longer recognized, they can claim to be a medical assistant. Just like non-certified nursing assistants could call themselves nursing assistants. It does not equate with nurses because there is no such thing as an unlicensed nurse. There are such things as non-certified medical assistants.
You said people go around claiming to be a nurse when they are not. Is this not what this board is all about? Again, they can call themselves a medical asst. all they want to but that does not make them one if they did not go to school for it. If someone did not go to school to be a nurse, then they can call themselves one all they want to but that does not make them one. I will be a BSN in less then a year. Then I plan on becoming an APN. So I see both sides. CMA's do not like for someone, with no education, to call themselves an MA, no more then a nurse likes for them (MA's)to call themselves a nurse. Our clinic will not hire someone unless they have gone to school. We never have any conflicts at our clinic with our nurses or CMA's. We do what we were hired to do and get the job done. I have never heard of this bickering about titles until I got on these boards. Each job is important. From the Docs to the cleaning crew. We need everyone one of these people to be successful. Those that claim to be something that thay are not will be caught up with some day. I am so thankful for my
co-workers, they are a great and professional group of men and women.
You didn't read my last post very carefully. I said I agree with you, but non-certified MAs are recognized, they just can't call themselves CMAs. There is no such thing as a non-licensed nurse.
TazziRN, RN
6,487 Posts
I didn't claim they are the same. There used to be both certified and non-certified nurse's assistants. You could not use the CNA title unless the cert was possessed. Until there is no such thing as a non-certified MA, then non-certified MAs can claim to be MAs, just not CMAs.