chapter © 2011 the mcgraw-hill companies, inc. all rights reserved. 54 medical assisting...

CHAPTER

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54Medical Assisting Externships and

Preparing to Find a Position

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Learning Outcomes

54.1 Perform professionally in all externship scenarios.

54.2 Discuss employment services and methods of obtaining a position.

54.3 Create a résumé.

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Learning Outcomes (cont.)

54.4Create a cover letter.

54.5Create a follow-up letter.

54.6Explain key factors for a successful interview.

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Introduction

• Externship – an opportunity to explore the different responsibilities of a medical assistant

• You will learn to write a– Résumé– Cover letter – Thank-you letter

• Form a strategic plan for securing a position

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Externships

• Opportunity to gain on-the-job experience

• Minimum of 160 hours

• Mandatory requirement– ABHES– CAAHEP

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The Externship Process

• Educational institutions partner with medical facilities– Practicum coordinator

• Arranges experiences• Ensures that the site will

provide a thorough educational experience

– Requirements• Signed affiliation agreement

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The Externship Process (cont.)

– Screening by medical facility• Interviews students• Drug screening• Background check

– Time sheets and progress reports • Completed daily • Student is monitored by practicum

coordinator and the program director

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Expectations of Externship Candidates

• Professionalism – Accept constructive criticism – Be open to suggestions and ideas– Do not question or argue with preceptors

concerning how procedures are done– Use proper verbal skills and grammar– Turn cell phones and pagers off during

working hours

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Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.)

• Attendance– Report each day assigned to a

schedule

– Be dependable and punctual

– Adhere to policies regarding breaks

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Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.)

• Professional appearance

– Clean, pressed, and

well-fitting uniform

– Name tag or badge

– No artificial nails, visible

tattoos, or facial piercings

– Hair off collar

– Avoid colognes, perfumes,

and scented hair products

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Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.)

• As an extern you represent– The school you attend

– The profession of medical assisting

– Yourself

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Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.)

• Initiative and willingness to learn

– Accept all assignments

– Ask for additional work if time permits

– Look for additional experiences

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Apply Your Knowledge

What are the expectations of a candidate for an externship?

ANSWER: Candidates are expected display professionalism in actions and appearance, to be dependable and punctual, and to exhibit initiative and a willingness to learn.

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Preparing to Find a Position

• Career services department– Job placement

– Counselors • Résumé• Interviewing skills• Positions available

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Seeking Employment

• Take advantage of resources– Classified ads and employment

Websites– Internet Websites sites– Employment services– Networking

• Explore possibilities

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Résumés

• Components

– Personal information

– Professional objective

– Employment experience

– Educational background

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Résumés (cont.)

• Components– Awards and honors

– Campus and community activities

– Professional memberships and activities

– Summary of skills

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Résumés (cont.)

• Choosing a résumé style– Functional –

highlights specialty areas of accomplishments and strengths

– Chronological – used by people with job experience

– Targeted – focuses on a specific job target

• Writing the résumé – Direct, functional style

– Focus on verbs that imply action

– Choose words that display strengths and demonstrate initiative

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Résumés (cont.)

• Writing tips– Organize information on a

worksheet

– List educational institutions with dates attended and degree or certificate attained

– Choose format that best describes you

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Résumés (cont.)

• Tips

– Use a computer and save work

– Proofread for spelling and grammar

– Use high-quality paper

– Be truthful and honest

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Résumés (cont.)

• Cover letter– An introduction to résumé

– Markets your résumé as well as your skills and abilities

– Direct and to the point

– One page in length

– Address to specific person at organization

– Make descriptions of your qualifications reflect the words used by the company’s advertisement

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Sending a Résumé

• Use correct address, zip code, and name of facility

• Verify the fax number before sending

• E-mail

• Post your résumé and cover letter on a career job search site on the Internet

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Obtaining a Reference

• Recommendation for employment

• Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference

• Faculty and externship facility

• Generally 3 to 5 – Employment – Academic– Character

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Portfolios

• Collection of employment documentation– Résumé – Reference list– Awards– Transcripts– Diploma/certificates

• Professional appearance

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Apply Your Knowledge

1. What do you include on a functional resume?

2. Name two things that you know about the cover letter.

ANSWER: You should highlight specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths.

ANSWER: The cover letter:1. Markets your resume as well as your skills and

abilities2. Direct and to the point3. One page in length

Correct!

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Interview Planning and Strategies

• Practice interviewing

• Anticipate questions

• Learn about the company

• Dress appropriately

• Be poised and relaxed

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Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.)

• Maintain comfortable eye contact

• Relate your experience to the job

• Be honest• Focus on how you

can benefit the company

• Be punctual

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Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.)

• Be honest

• Exhibit appropriate behavior

• Comply with application process

• Do not contact the interviewer excessively

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Interview Questions

• Anticipate questions you may be asked

• Inappropriate questions

– Age

– Race

– Sexual orientation

– Marital status

– Number of children

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Reasons for Not Being Hired

• Poor appearance

• Acting like a know-it-all

• Poor communication

• Lack of planning

• Lack of confidence or poise

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Reasons for Not Being Hired (cont.)

• No enthusiasm for the job

• Not active in extracurricular school

programs

• Being interested only in salary offer

• Poor school record

• Unwilling to begin in entry-level position

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Reasons for Not Being Hired (cont.)

• Making excuses for poor record

• No tact

• No maturity

• No curiosity about the job

• Being critical of past employers

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Salary Negotiations

• Salary ranges based on– Geographic location

– Medical specialty

– Experience

– Credentialing

– Job description

• Prepare a budget to determine needed income – Benchmark for

negotiating

• Employer should bring up salary first– Ask about range for

position

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Apply Your Knowledge

During an interview, the interviewer asks you your age and if you are married and have children. How should you answer these questions?

ANSWER: These are inappropriate questions. You should be polite and professional in declining to answer the questions. You may state that you do not believe the information is needed to evaluate your qualifications for the job.

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On the Job

• Learn to be an effective employee

• Identify skills in your daily duties

• Stay competitive and marketable through continuing education

• Integrate constructive criticism

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On the Job (cont.)

• Job description– Lists and describes

expectations of position and duties to be performed

– Provides standard benchmarks

• Employee evaluations– Initial review after

probationary period and annually

– Describes performance

– Evaluates strengths and weaknesses

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On the Job (cont.)

• Continuing education– Set educational

advancement goals annually

– Stay current • Medical publications• Medical assisting

meetings• Internet

– Required to maintain certification

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Apply Your Knowledge

What is the purpose of your job description?

ANSWER: Your job description lists and describes the expectations for your position and the duties you are expected to perform. It is used as the standard by which you are evaluated.

Outstanding!

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In Summary

54.1 Students’ weekly progress sheets should reveal new goals each week and progress on previous weeks’ goals. Their assessment and preceptor’s assessments should be similar and show professionalism, willingness to learn, and continual progress throughout the externship.

54.2 Students should be able to list classified advertisements available in local papers, employment Websites, networking and employment agencies where employment assistance is available.

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In Summary (cont.)

54.3 With assistance, students should turn in a workable, professional résumé which can be used to begin the employment search.

54.4 Students should create a basic, professional cover letter which can be modified to fit the job description they are applying for.

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In Summary (cont.)

54.5 Students should create a basic follow-up letter that can be modified to send to each individual prospective employer after the interview is completed.

54.6 Students should be able to list key factors such as portraying confidence, smiling, looking the interviewer in the eye, having questions ready for the interviewer about the position, and practicing answers to common interviewing questions. If possible, participation in a mock interview should be considered.

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End of Chapter 54

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.

~ Aristotle