Chapter 15The Physician’s Office

Health Care Science Technology

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Careers in the Physician’s Office

The PhysicianThe Physician AssistantThe Medical Assistant

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The Physician

Most physicians are doctors of medicine (MD), but some are doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO).

Physicians may specialize.Education includes 4 years of

college, followed by 4 years of medical school, then a period of residency or internship.

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The Physician (cont.)

Job Responsibilities– Must be able to communicate with a

variety of people.– Typical responsibilities include:

Obtaining a client’s medical history. Performing a physical exam. Listening to heart and lung sounds. Prescribing medications.

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The Physician (cont.)

Ordering laboratory or radiology tests.

Consulting with other physicians or health care team members.

Interpreting laboratory results. Educating clients. Performing minor office

procedures.

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The Physician Assistant

Requirements include:– Prior college credit.– An associate or bachelor’s degree.– Evidence of knowledge in specific areas.– Documented experience working with

clients in a health care environment.– Passing the Physician Assistant’s

National Certifying Exam.

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The Physician Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities– Recording clients’

medical histories.– Performing physical

examinations.

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The Physician Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)– Ordering laboratory and X-ray

procedures.– Interpreting the results of laboratory

and X-ray tests.– Suturing lacerations.– Applying splints or casts.

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The Medical Assistant

Works under the direction of a physician, but does not diagnose diseases or prescribe medications.

Education may include a 2-year college degree.

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The Medical Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities– Operating and maintaining

office equipment.– Scheduling clients for

appointments.– Maintaining financial and

medical records.– Ordering supplies.

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The Medical Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)– Completing general

office correspondence.– Billing and processing

insurance claims.– Obtaining clients’

medical records.

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The Medical Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)– Administering medications.– Obtaining blood or other specimens.– Processing specimens.– Performing visual and hearing screening

tests.– Taking and recording vital signs and

other pertinent data.– Documenting client’s chief complaint.

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The Medical Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)

– Assisting the physician with minor office procedures.

– Removing sutures.– Making sure the client has received

follow-up instructions and that follow-up appointments are scheduled.

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The Medical Assistant (cont.)

Job Responsibilities (cont.)– Cleaning the examination

room after the client leaves.

– Processing simple X rays. This requires additional training and certification.

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Physician Office Procedures

Additional Career Skills

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Additional Career Skills

Measuring Blood Glucose – Blood glucose is blood sugar.– Performed with a glucometer.

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Additional Career Skills (cont.)

Assisting with Minor Office Surgery– The physician explains and performs the

surgery.– The office staff must prepare the treatment area,

surgical tray, and the client.– A consent form must be signed.– During the procedure the assistant must

reassure the client and assist the physician.

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Additional Career Skills (cont.)

Sutures– Sutures are either absorbable or nonabsorbable,

which means they must be removed.– A trained office staff member removes the

sutures.– An open wound draining purulent, or pus-

containing materials, should be reported to the physician.

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Additional Career Skills (cont.)

Opening Vials and Ampules– Medications should be checked regularly for

outdated containers.– Medications should be stored alphabetically in

an area inaccessible to unauthorized persons.– A vial is a small glass bottle with rubber stopper.– An ampule is a small glass container that may

be sealed and sterilized.

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Additional Career Skills (cont.)

Performing Injections– Medications are usually ordered using grams or

milligrams.– Dosage calculations must be accurate.– Intramuscular injections are placed into a

muscle.– Intradermal injections are placed into the dermis

(superficial layer of the skin).– Subcutaneous injections are made into the soft

tissue beneath the skin.