Supervising medical assistants

[sleepy1010]

Hi,

I was was recently offered a job supervsing medical assistants in a Dr's office. I am a RN. I was wondering if anyone else has done this and if anyone know what types of tasks MAs can perform with nursing supervison and what needs a MD's supervsion ect. Everything I found online was pretty vague....Thanks:)

[Guest717236]

It is vague. Check with your Nursing /Medical Board for guidance in this area.

In some places, MAs are being asked to do above and beyond

their scope. I personally had an MA plant a Tb test wrong (she had

the needle bevel side down), she redid the test at my request with

the MDs guidance. (The patient was me. If a non medical person

had the test done this way they would not have known.)

It is unfair to MAs that they are placed in this position and need to

stay within their scope. It is an insult to them as they work hard

and are paid less than nursing staff who many of them have replaced.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

also check with BON as they probably define what is nursing. This protects the public from people who act like a nurse but have no license. Also, many people have the false impression that if an MD supervises then the individual can do just about anything. Again, the scope of practice for nursing should mention medical acts that cannot be delegated by the nurse or the MD to a non-MD. Last, I would check the site of the governing body - whoever it is that certifies the individual as an MA. Board of Health??? If nothing else they should have a list of requirements to complete the program. That might offer guidance.

[MomBSN]

in Or, MA's are not governed by the BON...they are not required to even be certified. They do fall under the Provider's license. As for supervision, the licensed nurse supervisory position over the MA. I would suggest reviewing the job description and orientation for MA's at your work site. Obviously, there are restrictions on the MA role. For example,some of the things a MA in OR may not perform include administration of Rhogam injections, ua cath samples, no triage of pts and no IVs. However, they may place ppds, IZs, perform throat swabs, phlebotomy and take vitals IF they have been trained (via a school program) and signed off by the RN/Nursing supervisor.

This is just a brief summary...hopefully it will give you an idea of what to expect and some possible resources. Best of luck!