What are the responsibilities of the medical assistant when assisting in minor office surgery?

Assisting with Minor SurgeryTHE MEDICAL ASSISTANT’S ROLE IN MINOR SURGERY -Medical assistants play animportant role in all aspects of minor surgical procedures.You will perform administrative tasks priorto the patient’s surgery, including completing forms for insurance, obtaining signed informed consentforms from the patient, and explaining all aspects of the surgical procedure to the patient.Answeringthe patient’s questions and making sure the doctor is informed about all medications (both prescriptionand over-the-counter) that the patient is currently taking are administrative tasks as well.You will alsomake sure the patient knows how to follow the appropriate presurgical instructions for diet and fluidintake.You will perform many tasks directly related to the surgical procedure itself. You will make sure thesurgical room is clean, neat and properly lit. You will see that all the equipment, instruments, andsupplies the doctor will use are clean, disinfected or sterilized, and properly arranged. You may alsofunction as an unsterile assistant, ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient during the procedureand performing other duties. At other times you may directly assist with the surgical procedure in asterile capacity.Following the surgical procedure, you will help dress the wound and perform other postoperativepatient care, making sure the patient is not experiencing ill effects from the surgery or local anesthetic.You will educate the patient about wound care and proper procedures to follow after surgery and makesure the patient has safe transportation home. You will also clean the room and prepare it for the nextpatient.SURGERY IN THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE- Minor surgical procedures are those that can besafely performed in the physician’s office or clinic without general anesthesia.Anesthesiais a loss ofsensation, particularly the feeling of pain. Ananestheticis a medication that causes anesthesia. Someof the common minor surgical procedures you may assist the doctor with include following:·Repair of a laceration· Irrigation and cleaning of a puncture wound·Wound debridement·Removal of foreign bodies·Removal of small growths· Removal of a nail or part of a nail·Drainage of an abscess· Collection of a biopsy specimen·Cryosurgery·Laser surgery·ElectrocauterizationCOMMON SURGICAL PROCEDURES- Many surgical procedures are routinely performed in adoctor’s office. You may perform some of these procedures on your own. For example, you maychange dressings for surgical wounds, and under doctor’s orders you may removesutures(commonlycalled stitches) or staples after wounds have healed. Any procedure that requires anincision(a surgicalwound made by cutting into body tissue) must be performed by a doctor.

Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics.

In Demand  |  Medical assisting is one of the nation's careers growing much faster than average for all occupations, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attributing job growth to the following:

• Predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and outpatient care facilities
• Technological advancements
• Growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment

Job Responsibilities  |  Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties, as evidenced by the Occupational Analysis of Medical Assistants.

Here is a quick overview (duties vary from ​medical practice to medical practice depending on location, size, specialty, and state law):

Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to):

• Taking medical histories
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examinations
• Assisting the physician during examinations
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications, including by intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injections—including vaccinations/immunizations, as directed by a physician or other licensed provider (e.g., a nurse practitioner or physician assistant)
• Transmitting prescription refills as directed
• Phlebotomy
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Wound care and changing dressings

Administrative Duties (may include, but not limited to):

• Using computer applications
• Answering telephones
• Welcoming patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping

Patient Liaison  |  Medical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the physician’s office and often explain the physician's instructions.

PCMH Team Member  |  Medical assistants are essential members of the ​patient-​centered ​medical ​home team. According to a survey by the Healthcare Intelligence Network, medical assistants ranked as one of the top five professionals necessary to the PCMH team.

CMA (AAMA)® Certification  |  Many employers of allied health personnel prefer, or even insist, that their medical assistants are CMA (AAMA) certified.

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers certification to graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

What responsibilities might a medical assistant have when assisting with minor surgery?

What are 3 responsibilities of a medical assistant?

How do you prepare a patient for minor surgery?