APTR conducted a survey to assess the immunization-related training needs of medical assistants (MAs) throughout the U.S. medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and medical assistants’ duties vary but may include preparing and administering immunizations.

 

The results of this survey will be used to improve educational offerings to this group of health professionals.

 

Final reports and key findings summary documents

Project Abstract |

Executive Summary |

Methodology |

Survey Instrument |

Analyses |

Literature Review |

Training Inventory |

 

Key Findings from the Data:

• Professional preparation to become a MA varies greatly and ranged from on-the-job training to  being a graduate from an MA program and receiving certification for recognition as either a certified (CMA) or registered medical assistant (RMA).  Some states call medical assistants by other titles and offer additional certification.

• Laws affecting MAs ability to administer vaccine vary by state.
  
  
• While MAs worked in a variety of settings, most worked in physicians’ offices and of those, family practice offices were the most common.
  
  
• A majority of the healthcare offices where MAs worked participated in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. 

• Immunization tasks that MAs perform often include: screening patients, educating patients/parents, administering vaccines, record keeping, and storage and/or handling of vaccines.
  
  
• Training topics identified as important to MAs include: adverse reactions or “side effects,” educating patients/parents, administering vaccines, risk communication, record keeping and/or documentation in patient record, immunization schedules, storage and/or handling of vaccines, clinical information about disease, Vaccine Information Statements (VISs), and screening patients.

APTR partnered with the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University to lead a formal assessment and collaborated with the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (ENMU-R), Division of Health, and with the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) on this initiative.

 

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