Introduction As a result of the expanding healthcare industry, technological advances in medicine, and increased number of elderly in the United States, medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers. The extensive and unique knowledge of a medical assistant is in demand more than ever. It is imperative that a medical assistant is knowledgeable and current about changes in the healthcare field. It is also important that a medical assistant’s rights to practice are protected on the job. The American Association of Medical Assistants (or AAMA) is an organization that was created to aid and support medical assistants working in the healthcare field (AAMA, 2010). Any individual interested in a career in medical assisting would benefit from becoming a member of this organization. Mission and Purpose The AAMA is the only organization created solely for the medical assisting profession. “The mission of the American Association of Medical Assistants is to enable medical assisting professionals to enhance and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professionalism required by employers and patients; protect medical assistants ' right to practice; and promote effective, efficient health care delivery through optimal use of the CMA (AAMA)” (AAMA, 2010). The AAMA was created for medical assistant students, practicing medical assistants, and medical assistant educators (AAMA, 2010). Local AAMA Chapter The AAMA was created in 1955 and has grown to include over 325 local chapters throughout a total of 43 states (AAMA, 2010). One local Ohio chapter of the AAMA is the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants. In 1956, four Ohio medical assistants attended an AAMA meeting in Kansas City, Kansas. Although there were three existing Ohio chapters, these women had a desire
References: American Association of Medical Assistants. (2010). AAMA Mission Statement. Retrieved from http://www.aama-ntl.org/about/mission.aspx American Association of Medical Assistants. (2010). AAMA Services. Retrieved from http://www.aama-ntl.org/about/services.aspx American Association of Medical Assistants. (2010). How to Become a CMA (AAMA). Retrieved from http://www.aama-ntl.org/becomeCMA/how.aspx American Association of Medical Assistants. (2010). What is a CMA (AAMA)? Retrieved from http://www.aama-ntl.org/about/what_is_a_cma.aspx Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants. (2010). OSSMA History. Retrieved from http://www.ossma.org/historyofOSSMA.html