It’s time for states, employers and patients to demand that allied health professionals meet credentialing requirements.
By Jill Carlson, RMA (AMT), BS (HCA) from the AMT Pulse.
In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the need for well-trained, knowledgeable and competent allied health professionals is critical. Many allied health disciplines—such as dental assisting, phlebotomy, medical laboratory technology and medical assisting—do not universally require certification or licensure. While some states have implemented credentialing requirements, others leave it to employer discretion. As a medical assistant, an employer and a patient, I firmly believe in the necessity of credentialed allied health workers to ensure the highest quality of care and patient safety—not only for me, but for my family.
The Employer’s Perspective
As an employer, I seek credentialed employees because I know their knowledge has been verified by a third party, such as AMT. This verification assures me they have met standardized competency benchmarks and are well-equipped to perform their roles.
However, not all credentialing organizations are equal. I choose a credentialing body that requires a clinical externship so that I know the prospective employee’s skills have been assessed in a real-world setting before they begin working independently. This hands-on experience is invaluable in ensuring new employees are prepared to deliver safe and effective patient care. Hiring credentialed professionals helps mitigate errors, enhance efficiency and foster a culture of professionalism. When healthcare workers understand the rationale behind their actions, patient outcomes improve and errors decrease.
The Medical Assistant’s Perspective
From my perspective as a medical assistant, working alongside credentialed colleagues provides confidence that we are all operating with a standardized baseline of education and competency. The medical assisting profession would gain greater recognition and credibility if credentialing became a universal requirement. Imagine the professional growth and respect we could achieve if only credentialed medical assistants were hired. Such a standard would elevate the profession and set a precedent for other allied health disciplines.
The Patient’s Perspective
As a patient, I expect the person taking my vital signs to be knowledgeable—not just in performing a task but in understanding its importance.
I once visited a specialist, and the medical assistant used a wrist blood pressure monitor, yielding an alarmingly high reading. Knowing my typical trends, I requested a manual check but was told the office lacked the equipment. The assistant also didn’t grasp my concerns about inaccurate records possibly affecting insurance.
On a later visit, another medical assistant again attempted a wrist reading. When I declined, he seemed unsure of how to proceed and falsely claimed my insurance required it. After questioning, he suddenly had access to a manual cuff—contradicting previous claims. These inconsistencies made me question the staff’s competence and the provider’s oversight. Ultimately, I decided to leave that office and seek care elsewhere.
A Call to Action
Wouldn’t it be empowering for patients to inquire whether their healthcare provider employs credentialed clinical staff? Wouldn’t it be reassuring to know that the laboratory processing your specimens requires credentialed technicians? As healthcare consumers, we have the right to expect competency from people who handle our medical care. Employers, too, should recognize the value of credentialed professionals to improve patient safety and elevate the profession.
The argument for credentialing is not about exclusion; it’s about ensuring a standard of excellence in healthcare. It’s time for states, employers and patients to demand that allied health professionals meet credentialing requirements. Our health—and the integrity of our medical records—depends on it.
Additional Resources