Professional Ethics
Last updated June 16, 2026
Overview
Professional ethics are the moral principles that guide healthcare. While laws tell you what you must do, ethics tell you what you should do. As an MA, upholding ethics builds trust and ensures patient safety. This guide covers core principles, the Patient's Bill of Rights, and the AAMA Code of Ethics.
1. The Foundation: The Patient's Bill of Rights
While this is often discussed legally, it is the ethical framework for patient empowerment.
- What it guarantees:
- The Right to Information: Truthful info about diagnosis and providers.
- The Right to Choose: Providers and plans.
- The Right to Autonomy: The right to make decisions, including refusing treatment.
- The Right to Privacy: Confidentiality of health info.
High-Yield Fact: The Patient's Bill of Rights is the formal document that establishes the patient's right to refuse treatment.
2. Core Ethical Principles
You must be able to apply these to clinical scenarios.
| Principle | Keyword | Definition & Application |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficence | Benefit | To do good. Acting in the patient's best interest. |
| Non-maleficence | No Harm | To do no harm. Avoiding actions that injure. |
| Autonomy | Self-Rule | The patient's right to decide. Respecting their choice to refuse care. |
| Justice | Fairness | Fair treatment for all. No discrimination based on ability to pay or background. |
| Fidelity | Faithfulness | Loyalty. Keeping promises and maintaining confidentiality. |
| Veracity | Truth | Honesty. Being truthful in documentation and communication. |
Memory Aid: Be Nice And Just (Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Autonomy, Justice).
3. Professional Codes of Ethics
Different roles in healthcare are governed by specific organizations. You may be asked to match the professional to their specific code of ethics.
- AAMA Code of Ethics: The standard for Medical Assistants. Focuses on human dignity, confidentiality, and staying within the scope of practice.
- AMA Code: For Physicians.
- AHA: Associated with the Patient's Bill of Rights and hospitals.
- NPA (National Phlebotomy Association) / ASPT: For Phlebotomists. If a phlebotomist violates ethics (e.g., breaches confidentiality), they are violating the code of their specific certifying body (NPA/ASPT).
4. Unethical and Illegal Practices
- Fee Splitting: A provider paying another for a referral (a "kickback"). This creates a conflict of interest and is unethical.
- Practicing Outside Scope: An MA diagnosing or prescribing is both illegal and a violation of the ethical duties of Non-maleficence and Fidelity.
- Breach of Confidentiality: Discussing patients in public areas (elevators, cafeteria) violates ethics and HIPAA.
5. Personal Beliefs vs. Professional Duty
Unbiased Care: You must provide the same standard of care to every patient, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle. If your personal beliefs conflict with a procedure, your professional duty to the patient comes first. You must facilitate their care without judgment.
6. Final Key Takeaways
- Patient's Bill of Rights: Source of Autonomy (Refusal of treatment).
- Beneficence = Do Good. Non-maleficence = Do No Harm.
- Fee Splitting = Unethical kickbacks.
- Scope of Practice: Stay in your lane. Diagnosing is unethical and illegal.
- AAMA Code: The specific code for Medical Assistants.
- NPA/ASPT: The specific code for Phlebotomists.