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Hello,

I am not sure about your state guidelines but here in Michigan our MAs can.

Ashley Rosa, MSN, BSN, RN

Manager Ambulatory Care Management

Bronson Healthcare Group
Michigan

Hello Jaclyn,

Have you taken a look at the American Academy of Medical Assistants (AAMA) - https://www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/what-is-a-medical-assistant#?

You can search "Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants under Texas Law" at the web site above so I would imagine you could search the same for any state.

I know what our MA II staff can do here in my clinic area and that includes giving flu shots but no by mouth medications or injectable antibiotics. They can ask the family if the patient is taking a medication and mark it as "taking" or "not taking". Our providers are responsible for putting a new med in the patient record (EPIC). Nurses can pend the request for refills to the physician after documenting last seen date and verifying that the pharmacy is requesting the same med, same dose as original. Our MAs cannot draw labs. I took a look at a school for MAs and found their list of what they say is allowable in TX. I figured a college would know since they are teaching the MAs here in TX. Here's what it says:

Standard of Care for Medical Assistants: The Duties and Responsibilities of Medical Assistants in Texas 

The standard of care refers to the level and type of care an average, prudent, similarly qualified medical assistant would provide in similar circumstances. It serves as a guide to ensure that all patients receive consistent, competent, and safe care. 

According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), medical assistants in Texas are expected to perform a range of clinical duties under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. These include the following:

·        Taking and recording vital signs 

·        Recording patients' medical history

·        Drawing blood for tests 

·        Administering medications as directed 

·        Assisting physicians in minor surgical procedures 

·        Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens. 

In addition to clinical tasks, medical assistants are often responsible for administrative duties that include the following:

·        Scheduling patient appointments 

·        Managing the physician's calendar

·        Maintaining medical records 

·        Billing and coding for insurance purposes 

·        Answering phones and providing patient assistance 

·        Coordinating with other healthcare professionals

Other Ethical and Legal Guidelines Medical Assistants Must Follow

Medical assistants are expected to do the following to uphold the standard of care: 

·        Remain within the scope of their training and competencies to ensure patient safety and welfare.

·        Use equipment and perform procedures following established protocols. 

·        Document all medical records and notes accurately and promptly to ensure they reflect the true nature of patient care and comply with legal standards.

·        Ensure patient information remains private, following the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 

·        Provide care to all patients regardless of age, gender, race, or socio-economic status. 

I hope this helps!! Rhonda –

Chair – AAACN Staff/Patient Education SIG

Rhonda Edwards, BSN, RN, AMB-BC, CPN

Texas Children's Hospital                                          

Spina Bifida Nurse - Clinical Care Center 

Office #: 832-822-3317                                                           

Pager ID: 5395

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