Medical Assistant Pharmacology
For medical assistants who need to brush up on certain areas in pharmacology as it applies to the medical office.
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Subject Navigation:Pharmacology Review for the Medical Assistant
Safe and effective drug therapy requires more of a medical assistant than simply handing over a prescription or administering a drug to a patient. This is the reason why part of the vocational training of a medical assistant is pharmacology. Not only is training in pharmacology an important part of the medical assisting curriculum, it is an essential skill required for employment in a doctor's office or medical clinic as a medical assistant.
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Do medical assistants need to know the forms of drugs, their uses, strength, and how they are prescribed? Isn't that the doctor's job? Medical assistants working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital are expected to be familiar with the most common forms of medications, which includes knowledge of their brand, and generic names, their recommended dosages, and dosage forms. Those who dispense, and administer medications must be able to read, and understand medical terms, numerals, and abbreviations that appear on prescription bottle labels, written prescriptions, and medication orders, and possess a solid understanding of the conditions under which certain drugs may, or may not be prescribed (i.e. pregnancy, breast-feeding, allergies, risk).
Medical assistants must also be able to explain these medications, their therapeutic uses, interactions, toxicity, possible interactions, and reactions to these drugs to the patients. They also must ensure that the physician is aware of all medications, both, prescription and OTC that their patient is taking, and know the proper way of recording these medications into the patient's chart.
The medical assistant, just like any other nursing staff, IS ethically and legally responsible to ensure that patients receive the correct medication and dose as ordered by the physician!
Controlled Drugs
Because controlled drugs are subject to many laws, a medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to all related regulations. Therefore all medical assistants must be familiar with and follow federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintain awareness of federal and state health care legislation and regulations, and maintain and dispose of regulated substances in compliance with the national and state regulatory agencies and government (OSHA) guidelines.
The most efficient way to prepare for these responsibilities is to read the package inserts and drug labels that accompany all medications, whether they are drugs from drug company representatives (drug-reps), or drugs ordered by the practice. Another excellent source of information is the Physician's Desk Reference, or PDR, which most medical offices receive free of charge every year and be aware of office policies and procedures.
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About the Author:
My name is Danni R.. I have created this extensive resource in my capacity as certified medical assistant (CMA, CCMA, and CMAA) and medical assisting instructor at Porter & Chester Institute, Ultrasound Diagnostic School, and Branford Hall in 2003. I currently teach Medical Assisting: Principlesof Patient Care, Basics of Medical Terminology, Anatomy: Review of the Human Body online at UniversalClass.com. You mayalso visit my other websites at Advanced Medical Assistant of America, Medical Assistant Net, Medical Billing and Coding Net,Medical Coding and Billing Home Page, or Professionals in Phlebotomy to get better acquainted with me and my work!
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