New Medical Assistant
Advance to Chapter 8 Professional Conduct
Personal Traits
While professionalism is certainly difficult to define, it encompasses several distinct criteria
such as respect, competency and dedication. Nowhere is the need for professional commitment and
personal integrity as great as in the health care profession.
In the medical office, where medical assistants continually deal with people and their illnesses
a medical assistant must develop and maintain personal traits that are essential for good rapport
and performance.
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Chapter 7
Professional Integrity
Appearance
Excellent personal hygiene habits, including cleanliness, neat
hairstyles, and grooming, as well as spotless, correct uniforms are essential for the medical assistant. A
professional always strives to maintain a neat appearance in the workplace. Appearance can positively or
negatively influence the opinion a patient has of the medical assistant. Both a professional appearance and
attitude enhance the overall reputation of the medical assistant and attests to their professional
competency.
The professional medical assistant should wear a clean, pressed uniform and clean white shoes, does not wear
heavy perfumes, and keeps the hair nicely styled, and fingernails clean and trimmed. Jewelry should be subtle and
tasteful, and rings limited to just one engagement or wedding band for both appearance and safety.
The medical assistant should exhibit courtesy, conscientiousness, and a general businesslike manner at all
times. It is important to act professionally with coworker, patients, doctors, and others in the work setting. One
example of professional behavior includes treating all patients with dignity and kindness. A general attitude of
friendliness and empathy also goes a long way in a medical office. Empathy is the ability to "put yourself in
someone else's shoes' and to identify with and understand another person's feelings. Patients who are ill,
frustrated, or frightened appreciate empathetic medical personnel.
Integrity
One important commitment that all medical assistants make is
never to abuse medications and controlled substances that they have access to; or to tolerate abuse
by others. These substances are kept under key and lock at the medical office or clinic and are used only for
patients under a physician's order and supervision. Any other use is illegal.
Confidentiality
The information that
medical assistants have access to falls into the category of "privileged communication" and medical assistants have
no right whatsoever to divulge any medical information, however trivial, to any unauthorized individuals. Medical
information is prime gossip material. The prohibition on the release of medical information is sometimes difficult
to remember, but it is essential to the maintenance of professional integrity and confidentiality.
While professionalism is certainly difficult to define, it
encompasses several distinct criteria such as respect, competency, and
dedication:
After carefully studying the image to the left imagine that you are a
new patient who just entered the reception area of this medical office. The medical assistant who greets
you is the medical office receptionist below. List the five things that immediately stood out and
contributed to your first impression of this office.
Suggested Activities!
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Advance To Next Chapter Professional Conduct
NOTE: Continue only after reading this and the previous lessons!
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