The Washington State Society of Medical Assistants serves the medical assisting community in Washington State. We are part of a three level organization consisting of the national (AAMA) at the top, the State Society (WSSMA) as an affiliate and our County Chapters on the local level. We often liken this tri-level organization to a pyramid (Click here for a graphic representation)
Membership in AAMA automatically gives you membership in WSSMA and your local chapter. It's a package deal!! To learn more about membership, check out our Membership Committee.
The demand for medical assistants is expanding rapidly. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is projected to be one of the fastest growing professions through the year 2012.
AAMA and WSSMA recognize the CMA as the premiere credential for medical assistants nationwide. Once certification is obtained through the national exam, it is mandatory for CMAs to recertify every five years to demonstrate knowledge and keep their CMA current. The recertification requirement can be met by examination or through continuing education.
Scope of practice
Medical assistants are the only allied health professionals specifically educated and trained for ambulatory care settings. Medical Assistants are multiskilled professionals who perform both administrative and clinical procedures. This versatility is especially valuable to physicians concerned with cross training and multi-skilled personnel.
Certified Medical Assistants perform delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising physician's scope of practice consistent with the CMA’s education, training and experience. Such duties shall not constitute the practice of medicine. For more information about the education and training of medical assistants, check the Education page.
For more information about the WA State Law regarding the medical assistant, check the HCA Law page and the Legislative page.
Calendar
Click here to learn about upcoming events for the WSSMA. For events specific to your chapter or region, please visit the chapters section.
HCA Law
Click here to read about the most recent and official law for health care assistants practicing in the state of Washington.
Scholarships
Interested in scholarships? Click here to learn more about the (Washington state) Nancy Fortin Scholarship, or read about the (National) Maxine Williams Scholarship on our Benefits page.
It is the purpose of our organization to promote the professional growth of medical assistants through continuing education in, clinical and administrative skills and knowledge in keeping with current trends in the medical arena.
Scope of practice
Certified Medical Assistants perform delegated clinical and administrative duties within the supervising physician's scope of practice consistent with the CMA’s education, training and experience. Such duties shall not constitute the practice of medicine. For more information about the education and training of medical assistants, check the Education page.
For more information about the WA State Law regarding the medical assistant, check the HCA Law page and the Legislative page.
AAMA Code of ethics
Members of the AAMA are dedicated to the conscientious pursuit of their profession, and thus desiring to merit the high regard of the entire medical profession and the respect of the general public which they serve, do pledge themselves to strive always to:
render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity;
respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information;
uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines;
seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the benefit of patients and professional colleagues;
participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being of the community.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for Certified Medical Assistants is now better than ever! CMAs are used extensively throughout Washington State in both ambulatory care settings, such as clinics and physician offices, as well as in ancillary services, such as radiology, out-patient surgery centers, off-site billing services, medical labs, etc. Our duties are expanding with our enhanced training and education as more and more physicians recognize our special abilities.
The multitasking ability of CMAs and our multi-skilled "cross" training makes us particularly effective and efficient for the medical settings.
Medical Assisting has been designated a high-demand profession and state job outlook studys report that CMAs will be in high demand for many years to come.
