Copyright

Is a Holter monitor in a medical assistant's scope of practice?

Question:

Is a Holter monitor in a medical assistant's scope of practice?

Perfect School Search

Answer:

Medical assistants to cardiologists are allowed to apply a Holter monitor to a patient. A Holter monitor is a small recorder that is attached to a patient for a period of time to make a continuous recording of the patients' heart activity via electrodes.

The medical assistant attaches the 3 or 4 electrodes on the Holter monitor which are attached via sticky patches to the patients' chests. If necessary the medical assistant may have to shave areas where patches are to be placed. The electrodes are attached to taping device, about the size of a smart phone which is clipped to the belt or in a shoulder pouch. The medical assistant can also remove the Holter monitor, but the cardiologist reviews the results of the test with the patient.

Medical assistants desiring to work with cardiologists are generally required to complete a formal medical assistant certification program. Since a general knowledge of heart conditions and disease is desirable for cardiology medical assistants, specialized certifications in cardiology are often pursued and are offered by organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants and American Medical Technologists.

For additional information on various medical assistant programs, check out Medical Assistant Requirements to Be a Physicians Assistant

Next: View Schools

Popular Schools

The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users.