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introduction
Medical assistants have worked beside doctors caring for patients since the mid 1800’s. Prior to being called a medical assistant, they were recognized as “Clinical Assistants”. In 1934 the first training program for medical assistants was established. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of health professionals running smoothly. There are over 600,000 medical assistants in the United States. -
John Snow
British physician, pioneer in the area of epidemiology and in the use of anesthesia and hygiene in medical procedures, started his career in healthcare as a medical assistant in the English Village of Pateley Bridge. He is the epidemiologist formerly known for his discovery and treatment of cholera. John Snow was a medical assistant before it was recognized as a medical profession. -
Alexander Fleming
The need for medical assistants came when medicine began to evolve more. With the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, people started living longer and required more medical care with age. With penicillin now being available, people were able to survive having pneumonia, rheumatic fever and several other illnesses that are now cured with antibiotics. -
American Association of Medical Assistants
Medical personnel worked out in the battle fields during the war. When the people began returning home, it was noted that they had plenty of knowledge and significant skill with medicine but there was still no official medical qualifications other than those obtained while in the army. In 1955 a group of ex-servicemen started the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Maxine Williams was the first president of the AAMA. The AAMA represents medical assistants throughout the country. -
Certification Exams
In 1963 the first certification examination was given for medical assistants in California, Kansas and Florida. -
Recognization of an allied health profession
In 1976, the 20th anniversary of AAMA, the AAMA Membership had reached 18,500 people with 525 chapters in a total of 47 states. That was also the year the highest number of medical assistants were awarded (1,959 certificates). By 1978 the United States department of health education and welfare recognized medical assistants as an allied health profession. -
Curriculum changes
Over the course of the years, the curriculum for medical assistants have changed. There are various options for students to study online and test online. While being a clinical medical assistant requires you to have in person training and studies, people now have various options available to them. In 1997 a total of 13,000 people sat for the medical assistant exam. -
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Required
In 2003 it became a requirement (mandatory) that in order to become a medical assistant, one must be certified in CPR at the health care provider level. Also, in 2009, computer based testing for the certification was recognized and established. -
The Definition of a Medical Assistant
In 2011 the definition of a medical assistant was approved. “Medical Assistants are multiskilled members of the health care team who perform administrative and clinical procedures under the supervision of licensed health care providers.”