Why Measure Foundational Skills for the Healthcare Industry?

Among the foundational skills needed in this position are:

• Locating Information—This skill involves finding information in workplace materials such as charts and graphs. Advanced locating information skills involve drawing conclusions and making decisions based on that information. With low skill levels, medical assistants who complete insurance forms or order medical supplies could cause inaccurate reimbursements or a shortage of medical supplies when they’re needed.
• Reading for Information—Among the skills this test assesses are identifying important details, applying instructions, and understanding cause-effect relationships based on information in written material. Medical assistants are in charge of setting up medical equipment, explaining treatment procedures based on written descriptions, and operating x-ray machinery. Low skills could cause medical equipment malfunctions, patient misunderstanding of treatment procedures, or inaccurate x-ray readings.
• Observation—This skill involves paying attention to and recalling work-related instructions, demonstrations, and procedures. Medical assistants collect and log lab specimens, clean and sterilize medical instruments, and handle instruments during exams and treatments. All require following appropriate procedures. A medical assistant whose observation skills are weak could produce contaminated samples, unsterile instruments, and unnecessarily prolonged treatments and exams.