Attention: there has been a lot of controversy and headlines about medical assistants giving Botox shots, and the law remains fuzzy on this particular issue. Medical assistants in a typical medical office setting are often asked to administer different types of injections, such as vaccines, medications, hormones, B12, and intradermal injections like TB skin and allergy testing when ordered and supervised by the physician. In order to do this they must be fully trained and supervised. Medical assistants can give any of these "shots" only if the doctor is present. He/she doesn't have to literally be standing over the medical assistant observing the procedure, but must be present in the office or the building and be reachable at the spur of a moment. Any medical assistant who administers injections without a doctor's orders, or without a doctor present, even if it is to an established patient who had them before, or is on a regular schedule, is in violation of the law.
Remember: The practice of medicine and medical assisting comes with certain rules and limitations. If you are unsure what a medical assistant can and cannot do then first check with your employer and employee handbook, then follow up with your State Medical Board/Board of Medical Examiner.
Photo credits: Oklahoma Army National Guard, 120th Med. Co.
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/3840301550/
No comments:
Post a Comment