accreditation

A process in which an education institution or program establishes credibility or legitimacy by complying with predetermined standards.

Accrediting bureau of health education school (ABHES)

An accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting & other health care programs

Acupuncture

involves the insertion of needles at various points in the body to treat disease or relieve pain

Administrative skills

skills that help to manage the business affairs of a medical practice & include 2 categories- administrative procedures 7 practice finances.

Advocate

one who assists the patient or acts on the patient's behalf

American academy of professional coders (AAPC)

An organization that promotes professionalism & encourages & supports education, networking, and certification in the medical billing & coding areas.

American association of medical assistants (AAMA)

A professional organization for medical assistants that certifies medical assistants & provides continuing education opportunitites

American medical technologists (AMT)

A professional organization that provides credentialing opportunities for medical assistants & continuing education opportunities

Ayurvedic medicine

traditional healing system of India that addresses mental & spiritual well-being & physical health. Ayurveda identifies 3 types of energies that are present in all things: Vata, pitta and Kapha and believes that imbalances in any of these areas can cause disease

Biofeedback

a method that enables a person, usually with the help of electronic equipment, to learn control otherwise involuntary bodily functions.

Certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA)

Credential given by the national healthcare association (NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam

Certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA)

Credential given by the national healthcare association (NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam

Certified medical assistant (CMA) (AAMA)

The credential given by the American association of medical assistants (AAMA) to eligible candidates that pass the CMA (AAMA) exam

Clinical skills

These are skills that are an extension of the providers responsibilities & can be divided into fundamental practices diagnostic procedure and patient care

Commission on accreditation of allied health education programs (CAAHEP)

an accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting & other health care programs.

Complementary alternative medicine (CAM)

Treatments used in addition to traditional care or therapies

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs)

A doctor licensed by the state to practice medicine. These practitioners place special emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal & nervous systems, preventive medicine, holistic patient care, & patient education

Doctors of medicine (MDs)

An individual who has met all the requirements in the state to become licensed as a medical doctor.

Doctorates

persons who hold doctoral degrees have attained advanced knowledge through higher education in disciplines such as nursing, math, education, chem, philosophy, and so on & have the right to be addressed as doctor

Epidemics

A disease affecting large numbers of individuals in a population

General skills

the skills that are necessary regardless of weather on is working in a clinical or administrative capacity, they include legal functions, communication skills, the ability to deliver education & operational function

Generalists

medical assistants work as a generalist when they perform both clinical & administrative duties in addition to general responsibilities

Hippocratic oath

An oath historically taken by new physicians , requiring them to swear to uphold specific ethical standards. it is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine in many countries. A new modernized version is mostly used nowadays.

Homeopathy

A 200-year-old system of medicine based on the law of similars. This means that if a dose of a substance can cause symptom, that same substance in minuscule amounts can cure the symptoms

Hospitalist

works with patients admitted to the hospital. These individual work in many different departments & reduce the load of hospital visits for the primary care provider & specialist

Magnet therapy

a therapy that involves placing small magnets close to the skin in order to correct an imbalance

Medical assistant

An integral member of the health care delivery team, qualified by education & experience to work in the administrative office, the examining room and the physician office laboratory.

medical billers

creates a billing statement listing all charges the patient has incurred for services rendered & sends the bill to the patient, insurance company of attorney

medical coders

uses an alphanumeric coding system for all diagnoses and all procedures in a manner that results in the maximum reimbursement for the provider and in fewer fees billed to the patient

medical office managers

supervises members of the medical office staff, coordinates schedules, performs human resource functions and oversees the daily operations of the office

midlevel practitioners

a health care provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. they are able to examine patients, order diagnostic test and prescribe certain types of medications. Activities directed/ or dictated by a supervising physician

multi-provider clinics

group practice, which consists of 3 or more physicians who share a facility for the purpose of practicing medicine.

national center for competency testing (NCCT)

a national certifying organization that certifies assistants & other health care professionals after successful completion of a certification exam

national certified medical assistant (NCMA)

the credential given by the national center for competency testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMA exam

national certified medical office assistant (NCMOA)

the credential given by the national center for competency testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMOA exam

National healhcareer association

NHA provides products & services to health care professional, including continuing education, program development, career & networking services, as well as 10 certification exams for several allied health care area, including certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) & certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA)

Naturopathy

a multidisciplinary approach to health care based on the belief that the body has power to heal itself. treatment is based on assessment of the correct diet, rest, relaxation, exercise, fresh air, clean water & sunlight the patient is receiving

nurse anesthetist

a RN that is certified to administer anesthesia

Nurse midwife

a professional RM who has had extensive training & experience in labor & delivery

nurse practitioners (NPs)

a midlevel practitioner that is able to examine patients, order diagnostic test, & prescribe certain types of medications. Usually supervised by a physician but may work independently in some states.

Partnership

2 or more physicians that have a legal agreement to share in the total business of the practice

Patient-centered medical home (PCMH)

A team-based model of care led by a personal physician who provide continuous & coordinated care throughout a patients lifetime to maximize health outcomes

patient navigator

explaining insurance policy information, financial information, taking complaints from patients & helping patients understand their medical right

patient protection & affordable care act

a bill passed in 2010 intended to expand access to health insurance, provide additional consumer protection & reduce cost of health care

Phlebotomists

health care workers who specialize in obtaining blood samples

physician assistants (PAs)

midlevel practitioner who are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests & prescribe certain types of medications, usually supervised by a physician

placebo effect

refers to the fact that some people respond favorably to a know ineffective treatment because they believe it is working

provider

(1) the person that overseas the patients health care; often a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

(2) an individual licensed to examine, diagnose & prescribe treatment to patients seeking assistance

reciprocity

a physician who has been licensed in one state & wishes to move to another state may be granted a license by reciprocity if it is determined that the original licensure requirements are equal to or more stringent that the requirement of the new state

registered medical assistant (RMA) (AMT)

the credential the American medical technologist (AMT) issues to eligible candidates who successfully pass the RMA exam

revocation

temporary or permanent suspension of a license

scope of practice

principles of self-boundaries of the profession

scribe

a person who documents by hand or enters date into the EHR as a profession & helps providers keep track of records

solo practice

when an individual provider/physician makes all the decisions for the practice

tact

having the ability to perceive a situation & know the right thing to say or do. tact is especially difficult & important when dealing with ill people

urgent care centers

ambulatory care centers that take care of patients with acute illness or injury 7 those with a minor emergencies, used quite often when patient cant get in to see their provider