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| * How Do You Determine One's Worth? |
| *Managed Care and the Changing Role of the Podiatric Medical Assistant. |
| *Tortoise & Hare: Who won the Race? |
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| Today’s Podiatric Medical Assistant: “Working hand-and-hand with their physician” By Tina C. Del Buono, PMAC 
From white dresses, stockings and nurses shoes to surgical scrubs, masks and sterile gloves the podiatric medical assistant has come a long way in the past 40 years. Podiatric medical assisting is not just a job it is a career, a unique one, as there is no formal training for it. What makes this position so desirable for the assistant is they are trained in a one-on-one environment by their physician. As the demands or advancement of podiatric medical education has progressed so has the need for advancement of the podiatric medical assistant. In practices across the country podiatric assistants are the ones who not only meet and greet the patients, but they take x-rays, cast for orthotics, apply fiberglass casts and assist with diabetic foot and non-invasive peripheral arterial exams and more. In many states podiatric medical assistants who obtain the clinical certification through the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants and become PMACs are able to assist their doctor’s in surgery at their local surgery center or hospital. Our offices are only as good as those who run them and continuing education is the key to offering the best. According to Jon Hultman, D.P.M., MBA, “Continuing education is essential for both doctors and staff; it is where they can learn both the “how” and the why” of practice improvement projects. Doctors clearly recognize the value of increasing their own skills and knowledge through regular participation in continuing education programs. Through this process, they learn from experts in the field and are given the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers attending the same lectures and workshops. Interestingly, while doctors recognized the value of continuing education for themselves, many don’t seem to recognize the value to be gained from having their staff attend continuing education programs. The fact that we, our staff and our practices can continue to improve throughout our entire careers is an exciting prospect.” |
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Copyright 2007, American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants. | ||||||||
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