Jerry McCall Dr. Williams Office Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurses and Medical Assistants: Legal and Ethical Implications
According to recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are two of the fastest growing jobs in the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010). In an effort to save costs, the demand for these professionals is increasing in both in-hospital and outpatient settings. The licenses and registrations, however, remain unstandardized; while LPNs are required to receive a license, some medical assistants receive a one or two-year degree and still others are only trained on the job. The responsibilities and restrictions of the profession are likewise only loosely regulated and vary between states. This has both ethical and legal implications for patient care. The following case scenario illustrates these ramifications and discusses the appropriate course of action for medical assistants working in a clinical setting.
The Case:
Jerry McCall is an office assistant in an outpatient physician's office. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and LPN. He is the only person in the office when a patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium called in immediately to his pharmacy. He says that he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes and that the physician, a close friend of his, customarily gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly.
Qualifications of the Profession:
The qualifications of LPNs and medical assistants are variable and often vague in interpretation. This is especially the case with respect to authorizing prescription refills. Based on Jerry's medical training alone, he is not qualified to independently issue this refill order. According to the American Association of Medical Assistants, however, medical assistants are permitted to authorize...
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