Expectations of Behavior and Medical Assistant Code of Ethics

Ok, you’ve went to school, studied very hard, and finally you’ve graduated and gotten your certification.  What are the expectations of the public and my employer when I finally obtain employment? Do, you show up for work, hang out at the office till quitting time and go home?  Of course not!!  But if you can find a job like this let me know.

There are certain expectations the employer and the public are eager to see you live up to.  There is actually a medical assistant code of ethics developed by the AAMA.  Turns out you can’t just hang out till time to go home.  You can, but it isn’t likely, you’ll stay employed by this employer for very long.  If you’re fresh out of school, with the schedules and projects you’ve just finished, it’s unlikely, you could handle just hanging out till quitting time.  Odds are, you’ve developed a schedule and a work ethic while you were attending school.

The first code of ethics as prescribed by the AAMA, Render your services with respect of humanity and dignity.  In simple English, be respectful, call elderly by, sir or maam.  When greeting client, welcome them, when you’re taking down their information, don’t wince or make disrespectful comments, like you had that!  EWH!  Unless otherwise told, greet people with a surname, like “hello Ms. Johnson”.  When your preparing Ms. Johnson for her exam or x-ray, close the door, or at least shut the curtain so the janitor doesn’t check her out while he’s cleaning the hall way.

The second on their list of code of ethics, respect confidential information you obtain unless legally mandated to do otherwise.  With very strict laws on HIPPA, this is mandatory, you could lose your license or even be held legally accountable or both!  For instance, your working at a nursing home and your mother asks you on the phone after work, how’s Ms. Johnson doing?  You are legally obligated to say to your mother why you don’t go visit her and see for yourself.  It might not work, mind you, but you can’t tell her anything.

Next on their list of ethics, is to uphold the position with honor and high principals.  So no stealing the samples and selling them on the corner.   This would also indicate, at least to me, that if you’re arrested for something scandalous like black mailing, you’re likely to lose your job and your license.  A dirty deal, considering even if you’re in politics, you don’t lose your license or certification.

Seek to continually improve your skills and knowledge.  Don’t go around with “I know it all” attitude, you probably don’t realize how annoying that is.  This coincides with their continuing education requirements of course, but, I am a big believer, try to learn something new every day.  Yes, this job has required learning, but if you know a shortcut to get to a webpage, or other information, share it, if you can’t figure out the fax machine, let someone show you, always strive to improve, because no one is perfect.

Participate in additional services and activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being of the community.  For instance, if you’re a technologist, volunteer during breast cancer awareness month, when there’s a community health fair, try to be there to help out.  If groups aren’t your scene, try volunteering at a local domestic violence.  They list this as sort of a requirement, make it into a blessing.  Volunteer into something your passionate about, give back to your community.

Hopefully, some of these insights have stuck, when it comes time for you to start working.  Keep everything private about what goes on in the office, shut the door on Ms. Johnson, don’t sell samples on the street corner, figure out the copier, and help out in the community.  My version in a nutshell.