I work for a large medical group that has several urgent cares, clinics and doctor's offices. As most people here know, we've moved away from the old doctor-and-nurse model in clinics and more toward a doctor-and-MA model. This exists everywhere and is an unfortunate byproduct of cost cutting and sacrificing quality in favor of lining insurance and CEO's pockets.
The MAs I work with, on average, have 3 to 6 months of training in the most basic medical procedures. I've reviewed the curriculum of a typical MA program and the one I looked at had zero elements of critical thinking or customer service or theory of any kind. Just how to take vitals, give shots, a little wound care and some medical terminology. That's it.
I just have to vent. I'm so sick of the TONS of MAs who staff some really critical areas. I can't stand their ghetto mentality, terrible communication skills, immaturity, rudeness, jailhouse tattoos, drag makeup, gossip, attitude and cliques. They bring an otherwise decent medical practice down many notches in quality and treat our patients like crap, and constantly start conflicts with other staff. But this is who most places would rather hire now to save money. MAs now patch the gaps nurses left in ambulatory settings. Care suffers as a result. I watch our MAs work and I'm APPALLED at how they mumble, chew gum, look bored or text on their phones WHILE with patients. It's gross.
I'm sure there are some AWESOME, skilled, mature, professional and educated MAs out there. But none here. And everyone just acts like it's okay.
How did this happen? Do any of you work with a lot of MAs or basically lost your job to MAs? I'm curious what others' perspectives are on this issue.
