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Organization Spotlight - Fall 2006

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is a national, nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable medical assisting professionals to enhance and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required by employers and patients; protect medical assistants’ right to practice; and promote effective, efficient healthcare delivery through optimal use of multi-skilled Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs).

CMAs are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. This knowledge includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology
Medical terminology
Patient interviewing and instruction
Keyboarding and computer applications
Recordkeeping and accounting
Coding and insurance processing
Laboratory techniques

Pharmacology
Medication administration
First aid
Emergency assistance, assessment, and triage
Professional communication and behavior
Maintaining the physical plant
Managing personnel functions
Clinical and diagnostic procedures

The knowledge, skills, and abilities make CMAs ideal candidates for volunteering with local MRC units at the various community health events that MRC units respond to.

CMAs work under the direct supervision of a physician and are most often employed in clinics and medical offices. A Role Delineation Study of the medical assisting profession is located on the AAMA Web site. The scope of practice for medical assistants varies from state to state.

AAMA is comprised of constituent state societies and component chapters. The majority of these state societies hold an annual convention each spring. The AAMA also convenes a national convention each year.

The partnership between AAMA and the MRC could be built at various state and national AAMA conventions. Local, regional, or national MRC representatives could attend these conventions to answer questions and recruit volunteers. In addition, AAMA can begin to advertise the MRC through their various communication channels to inform their constituency about exciting local volunteer opportunities.

Questions about AAMA and each state’s scope of practice can be directed to Don Balasa at (800) 228-2262 or via e-mail at dbalasa@aama-ntl.org.

Last Updated on 12/7/2006