I recently received the following question:

I am writing to inquire about [whether] a CMA (AAMA) [can] sign off on a medical assistant apprentice’s competency documents. Due to a shortage of medical assistants in the Duluth, Minnesota, area, we have agreed to offer medical assistant apprenticeship opportunities within our ambulatory clinics. After the apprentice completes their educational requirements with a third-party instructor, they are assigned medical assisting preceptors in their clinical departments for the skills portion of their course.

The question I have is whether medical assistant preceptors can sign off on the competency document for the apprentice after our medical assistants have taught them a skill and watched them perform it. It seems to be a gray area because of the legal principle you have frequently written and spoken about regarding medical assistants not being legally allowed “to exercise independent clinical judgment, or make clinical assessments, evaluations, or interpretations.” Is assessing the competence of an apprentice in performing tasks an illegal “clinical assessment”?

I have reviewed the Minnesota state scope of practice information on your website and am seeking clarification.

Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

The assessment I mention in my letters and articles refers to assessment of patients’ clinical conditions, not assessments of the competence of another medical assistant, such as an apprentice medical assistant. Therefore, my legal opinion is that Minnesota law does not prohibit medical assistants from serving as preceptors of apprentice medical assistants and evaluating and signing off on their skills in performing certain tasks.

Of course, this must be done under the authority and direction of a licensed provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is preferable that your role as a preceptor be put in writing by the overseeing provider.

I recently received the following question:

I am writing to inquire about [whether] a CMA (AAMA) [can] sign off on a medical assistant apprentice’s competency documents. Due to a shortage of medical assistants in the Duluth, Minnesota, area, we have agreed to offer medical assistant apprenticeship opportunities within our ambulatory clinics. After the apprentice completes their educational requirements with a third-party instructor, they are assigned medical assisting preceptors in their clinical departments for the skills portion of their course.

The question I have is whether medical assistant preceptors can sign off on the competency document for the apprentice after our medical assistants have taught them a skill and watched them perform it. It seems to be a gray area because of the legal principle you have frequently written and spoken about regarding medical assistants not being legally allowed “to exercise independent clinical judgment, or make clinical assessments, evaluations, or interpretations.” Is assessing the competence of an apprentice in performing tasks an illegal “clinical assessment”?

I have reviewed the Minnesota state scope of practice information on your website and am seeking clarification.

Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

The assessment I mention in my letters and articles refers to assessment of patients’ clinical conditions, not assessments of the competence of another medical assistant, such as an apprentice medical assistant. Therefore, my legal opinion is that Minnesota law does not prohibit medical assistants from serving as preceptors of apprentice medical assistants and evaluating and signing off on their skills in performing certain tasks.

Of course, this must be done under the authority and direction of a licensed provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is preferable that your role as a preceptor be put in writing by the overseeing provider.

I recently received the following question:

I am writing to inquire about [whether] a CMA (AAMA) [can] sign off on a medical assistant apprentice’s competency documents. Due to a shortage of medical assistants in the Duluth, Minnesota, area, we have agreed to offer medical assistant apprenticeship opportunities within our ambulatory clinics. After the apprentice completes their educational requirements with a third-party instructor, they are assigned medical assisting preceptors in their clinical departments for the skills portion of their course.

The question I have is whether medical assistant preceptors can sign off on the competency document for the apprentice after our medical assistants have taught them a skill and watched them perform it. It seems to be a gray area because of the legal principle you have frequently written and spoken about regarding medical assistants not being legally allowed “to exercise independent clinical judgment, or make clinical assessments, evaluations, or interpretations.” Is assessing the competence of an apprentice in performing tasks an illegal “clinical assessment”?

I have reviewed the Minnesota state scope of practice information on your website and am seeking clarification.

Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

The assessment I mention in my letters and articles refers to assessment of patients’ clinical conditions, not assessments of the competence of another medical assistant, such as an apprentice medical assistant. Therefore, my legal opinion is that Minnesota law does not prohibit medical assistants from serving as preceptors of apprentice medical assistants and evaluating and signing off on their skills in performing certain tasks.

Of course, this must be done under the authority and direction of a licensed provider, such as a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It is preferable that your role as a preceptor be put in writing by the overseeing provider.