Question

Part D:    Stacy Friedlander is the lead medical assistant in an ophthalmology practice of ten physicians. The eye clinic has patients, literally, from all over the world. Several of the physicians are leaders in their specific area of ophthalmology, such as Dr. Keeler, who specializes in retinal diseases.

               Today, Stacy is going to interview a potential new employee, Sarah Banks. Sarah is currently finishing a CAAHEP-approved medical-assisting program at a local college and is searching for full-time employment. She has some on-the-job experience dating back to when she was an after-school receptionist for a general practitioner, but that was more than ten years ago.

               The clinic tends to hire medical assistants who are certified, experienced, and very capable of dealing with patients from different age groups, races, and cultures. However, Sarah is being considered for the position because, first of all, her father is a personal friend of Dr. Keeler and, second, qualified medical assistants are difficult to find because of the high demand.

Provide detailed answers for each of the following questions. Your response should at least 150 words in length.

• What should Stacy do to prepare for the interview with Sarah?

• Considering that the practice is limited to ophthalmology, would any special requirements be warranted in a medical assistant who was going to work in this area?

• Considering that the clinic’s patient population is mixed by age and race, would any special requirements in a medical assistant be warranted in this case?

• Is it proper procedure for Sarah to be applying for this position given that she has not yet completed her medical assisting program?

• Should Stacy, given the circumstances, invest a lot of time in interviewing Sarah? Why or why not?

• Should Sarah’s ten-year-old job experience be factored into Stacy’s decision to hire Sarah or not?

• If Stacy decides not to hire Sarah, does Stacy need to personally contact the reference and thank him anyway, given that he is a friend of Dr. Keeler?

Answer 1

ANSWERS ARE :

1. Stacy should prepare himself for conducting interview with Sarah. The following points has to be prepared by Dr. Stacy.

-Interview Sarah about her previous and current experiences of work for the present job

- Does she possess any qualified degree for applying this post ?

- Is she is eligible to appoint as a medical assistant without completing her course and certificates ?

- What qualities does Sarah meet to be appointed as a medical practitioner ?

- Is she is capable in maintaining professional communications with patients and all other health care professionals ?

- Can she handle situations arise in the clinic using her presence of mind ?

2. As the clinic is limited to only ophthalmology practice, there should be some technical skills in medical assistants which they can utilize in a bright way. The main function of medical assistant is to help doctors and all other health care providers to achieve a desired goal in clinic. Special requirements in the sense coordinating with others, allotment of work slots, maintaining of records and reports, documentation of patients information as well as health care providers in data bases, assisting to physician work, following of standing orders, shift duties, etc...

3. As the clinic includes all the kinds of patient population, in terms of ages and race, medical assistant should require some special qualities to work in the clinic. They are - Translator between doctor and patient, Good communicator with patients and family members, Special care for old ages, pregnant mothers and children suffering for eye disorders, Sympathy and empathy towards patient, good understanding, and so on...

4. Sarah is not a complete graduate for the position of medical assistant, as she is going to finish her course within a said time. According to the clinic protocol experienced working persons are eligible to work in that area. Currently Sarah is eligible to supervise the work practice in clinics but cannot put her job involvement completely as she is not having any prior medical assistant experience.