Certification Requirements for Medical Assistants in Maine
Medical assistants, also known as physician's assistants, are responsible for assisting doctors and nurses with a variety of medical procedures. Tasks may include the administration of injections, recording vital signs, performing X-rays, taking appointments and drawing blood. In Maine, although medical assistants are not required to be certified by the state, many will nonetheless become certified according to employer requirements.
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Accountability in Maine
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The actions of uncertified medical assistants in Maine are held accountable by the physician the medical assistant is employed with. This includes the administration of injections and any invasive procedures. According to Maine state law, physicians must be in proximity to the medical assistant in case any adverse event should happen. All physicians in Maine should be aware of such laws and regulations.
Medical Assistant Certification
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In Maine, medical assistants may become certified about one year after the completion of a medical assistant training program. Although it is not a legal requirement for a medical assistant to become certified, most employers will hire only those with certification. Furthermore, certification will enhance one's employment and salary prospects. Certification is no different from any other state, and is completed by earning the certified medical assistant (CMA) qualification. The CMA qualification is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
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Medical Assistant Training
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Two institutions offer medical assistant training in Maine. The Seacoast Career School in Sanford offers courses in medical terminology, pharmacology, patient care and communication skills. Kaplan University, which has campuses in both Lewiston and South Portland, offers a similar program with courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, medical coding and electrocardiography. Both programs are offered as associate degrees and take two years to complete. After the completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for the CMA qualification.
Certification Requirements
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Certification as a CMA is completed in the form of an exam. The exam will include topics such as medical terminology; patient interviewing techniques; anatomy and physiology; medicolegal guidelines; medical equipment; first aid; emergencies; and specimen collection. CMAs must recertify every 60 months by means of either re-examination or continuing education.
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