APTR will assess immunization training and educational products and programs for medical assistants to their effectiveness in improving vaccine management and immunization delivery skills and in increasing the competencies of current and future medical assistants.

 

Although medical assistants are not licensed, some state require them to take a test or a course before they can perform certain tasks, such as taking x rays or giving injections. Medical assistants are responsible for a variety of duties related to the administration of vaccines. It is critical that medical assistants have effective training and reduction to meet the demands of rapidly changing vaccine recommendations. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks and most are employed in medical practices or group offices were they are directly supervised by a physician or other licensed healthcare providers such as nurse practitioners or physicians assistants. In 2004 medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs 60% of which were in physicians offices. Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU)--Roswell and the Division of Health and Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University is a comprehensive community college offering 2-year Associate Degrees in 29 fields, along with Certificates in 49 fields. The university's Division of Health includes a large Medical Assisting Programs (CAAHEP). The Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia has unique expertise in the areas of survey design, needs assessment, public health workforce development, competency-based curricular design and technology-based instruction. This project will be completed Fall 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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