Sandersville, GA – The Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) of American Medical Technologists (AMT) will be observing National Medical Assistants Week (NMAW), October 15 – 19, 2007.

Since 1984, RMAs and others have honored the vital role and the professional excellence that medical assistants provide in the delivery of healthcare to patients. The 2007 theme, “Medical Assistants… The Heartbeat of Healthcare” emphasizes their dedication as a vital member of the healthcare team. In celebration of Medical Assistants Recognition Week, the honorable Sonny Perdue will sign a proclamation recognizing the week.

Medical Assisting students Joanne Cunningham (Louisville), Ashley Dukes (Louisville), and Gloria Jackson (Sandersville) constructed this bulletin board for the STC Main Campus to celebrate National Medical Assistants Week.

“We would like to honor the doctor offices and other health care facilities that help train our medical assistant students,” says Michelle Weatherford, CMA, BLS.

Medical Assistants certified by AMT as RMA’s must pass an exam and have the required education and experience to receive this professional certification. A medical assistant is a mult-skilled professional who combines clinical and administrative responsibilities to assist in all aspects of medical practice in a physician office, hospital, clinic, government agency, or laboratory.

Clinical functions include: taking vital signs, charting patient information, recording medical histories, performing routine tests, and applying dressings. Adminstrative duties include: scheduling appointments, billing and maintaining patient files. “Medical assistants help create a professional and comforting atomsphere for patients by offering them guidance and support”, says Christopher A. Damon, JD, Executive Director of AMT.