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I run several medical assistant websites. Medical Assistant students and professionals know and respect my websites and appreciate the help I provide at MedicalAssistant.net http://www.medicalassistant.n... .

Sadly, I have been bombarded with a series of email messages of intimidating and negative nature from an anonymous sender. I've never heard of this person or initiated these emails that come from SRSPsych@aol.com. This person is someone I don't know, but surely he is someone who wants to get into my business.

I suspect this is the same person as drjeffandrewsmd@yahoo.com who also sent unwanteded emails, because the IP number in his messages headers (source code) are identical and point to the same computer located in New Jersey. The anonymous sender went as far as contacting my business partners under the false name "Dr. Jeff Andrews" to try to extract information about me and shed negative light on my work and services I provide. This attempt has caused suspicion, mental anguish, and quite some distress.

Date: 01/18/2005
Subject: An Important Question Regarding Kowledge of Medications

A question received from a visitor to the Advanced Medial Assistant of America http://www.certmedassistant.com" title="http://www.certmedassistant.com" target="_blank"http://www.certmedassistant.c... website: ”Do medical assistants need to know the forms of drugs, their uses, strength, and how they are prescribed? Isn't that the doctor's job?”

Safe and effective drug therapy requires more of a medical assistant than simply handing over a prescription or administering a drug to a patient. This is the reason why part of the vocational training of a medical assistant is pharmacology. Not only is training in pharmacology an important part of the medical assisting curriculum, it is an essential skill required for employment in a doctor's office or medical clinic as a medical assistant.

Medical assistants working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital are expected to have a basic knowledge of the most common medications. They must be familiar with basic forms and types of medications, prescription drugs (regulated drugs), and Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications, their brand and generic names, and their recommended dosages, and dosage forms.

Medical assistants need to be attentive to ensure that the physician is aware of all medications, both, prescription and OTC, that the patient is taking, and know the proper way of recording these medications in the patient's chart.

Also, medical assistants are expected to know the purpose and effects of drugs, and the conditions under which drugs may or may not be used (i.e. pregnancy, breast-feeding, allergies, risk), drug interactions, toxicity. They must be able to explain these facts and summarize possible interactions and reactions to these drugs to patients.

In addition, medical assistants must be able to read and understand medical terms, numerals, and abbreviations that appear on a prescription bottle label as well as on a written prescription or medication order issued by the physician.

Furthermore:

The medical assistant (just like any other nursing staff) is ethically and legally responsible for ensuring that the patient receives the correct medication ordered by the physician!!!!!!! Because controlled drugs are subject to many laws, a medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to all related regulations. Therefore all medical assistants must be familiar with and follow federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintain awareness of federal and state health care legislation and regulations, and maintain and dispose of regulated substances in compliance with the national and state regulatory agencies and government (OSHA) guidelines.

The most efficient way to prepare for these responsibilities is to read the package inserts and drug labels that accompany all medications, whether they are drugs from drug company representatives (drug-reps), or drugs ordered by the practice. Another excellent source of information is the Physician's Desk Reference, or PDR, which most medical offices receive free of charge every year and be aware of office policies and procedures.

To learn more about what the medical assistant must know about drugs and medication orders, go to MAPharm.com http://www.mapharm.com" title="http://www.mapharm.com" target="_blank"http://www.mapharm.com

Date: Tue Feb 4, 2003  3:01 pm
Subject: Wondering what to do

I am in the middle of my externship in an Internal Medicine Office with one doctor. I have already logged about 80 hours. When I started they hired me and another MA who was finished with her classes while I was working and still going to school. I just graduated last night. Well before we were hired the medical secretary did everything. It is a very busy practice. They are very rude to me because I have never worked in an office before. I thought they would have time to teach me things but when I ask for help they say you said you were a fast learner, and we don't always have the time to help you. To me that seems very rude. And there are a lot of other things that happened.

I am debating when I go back tomorrow whether to tell them I found another job and I am giving them my notice to quit, because I would like to take the time to find another job. How long of a notice should I give and I am doing the right thing. The doctor tried saying that I should do about 200 hours for free then she will determine if she wants to hire me or not, but I know that she was interviewing other MA's this past week. My Instructor told me I should do 120 to 180 hours. I just would like to find a job where I like the people I work with and we all click. I just don't know what to do.

:oops:

Date: Thu Dec 5, 2002  8:51 pm
Subject: How long is the medical assistant program?

About average, depending on where you live, how long does a medical assistant course take? One school offers it here for 8 months and another for 11 w/externship. Is that about right? I just don't want to get scammed!! Also, anybody in Dallas area know what start pay is for MA?

You can learn more about becoming a medical assistant and a typical curriculum at MedicalAssistant.net http://www.medicalassistant.net" title="http://www.medicalassistant.net" target="_blank"http://www.medicalassistant.n...