So, you’ve completed your education and training, and you’re ready to step into the healthcare workforce. However, there’s one critical element you might still be missing: experience. You may have completed your medical assistant certification, but the challenge lies in gaining hands-on work experience as a beginner in the healthcare field. Thankfully, there is a way to bridge this gap: through a medical assistant externship. In this article, we will provide all the details you need to know about medical assistant externships. Let’s dive right in!
Why Does Experience Matter?
Experience is crucial because employers not only want to see that you possess the necessary skills to be successful in your job, but they also want to ensure that you can apply those skills in a real-world setting. In a recent survey, employers reported that related work experience accounts for at least 56% of the screening process for their applicants. This statistic shows how significant hands-on experience is when seeking employment.
While your education and training are fundamental, having work experience immediately after finishing your education is a game changer. It provides you with more job opportunities and gives you leverage when negotiating your salary. In addition, an externship helps you build the foundational knowledge necessary to be successful in your role. Walking into the industry with more confidence and familiarity can make all the difference.
What Is an Externship?
An externship is essentially a learning opportunity that is usually part of your course of study. It allows you to gain practical experience in your field. Your placement will typically depend on the partnerships that your educational institution has with surrounding healthcare facilities. During your externship, you will perform various clinical and administrative tasks under the supervision of a staff member or supervisor.
Although most externships are not paid (as they tend to be short-term and students are not given a heavy workload), they are invaluable. This experience allows you to transfer the skills learned in the classroom to a real-world setting.
It’s important to note that an externship isn’t a free pass to get out of the classroom. You need to be just as dedicated and hardworking during your externship as you are in your academic studies. Your professors, teachers, and evaluators will closely observe the skills you develop during this period, which could significantly impact your future career prospects.
What Will You Do During an Externship?
During an externship, medical assistant students typically get hands-on experience performing various clinical and administrative duties. The tasks you may encounter can include:
- Clinical Duties: Taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, assisting with medical examinations, and learning to use medical equipment.
- Administrative Tasks: Scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, billing, and handling insurance paperwork.
While you are performing these tasks, a staff member or supervisor will guide and mentor you, ensuring that you are building upon the skills and knowledge you acquired during your training.
Skills Developed During an Externship
Throughout your externship, evaluators will assess your progress, focusing on several key skills. Here are some of the primary skills that will be developed and monitored during your externship:
- Analytical Skills: During patient interviews and data gathering, you will hone your ability to process information, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions. Analytical thinking is crucial in assessing patient needs and ensuring the accuracy of medical records.
- Interpersonal Skills: Your ability to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare team members is essential. Externships provide you with the opportunity to develop empathy, patience, and the ability to handle various situations, including those that might be challenging or emotional.
- Attention to Detail: In a medical setting, details matter. During your externship, you’ll be observed for how well you grasp new tasks, adhere to protocols, and remain present during shadowing experiences. A high level of attention to detail is vital for patient safety, accurate record-keeping, and the proper administration of treatments.
How to Find an Externship
Finding an externship might seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some steps you can take to secure an externship:
- Contact Local Healthcare Facilities: One option is to reach out to hospitals, clinics, or private practices in your area to see if they offer externship programs for medical assistant students. Some facilities might be open to taking on students, especially if they have partnerships with educational institutions.
- Through Your Educational Program: The most straightforward way to find an externship opportunity is through your medical assistant training program. Many schools have established partnerships with healthcare facilities and can assist in placing students in externship opportunities. Before enrolling in a program, it’s a good idea to check whether they offer an externship opportunity.
The Benefits of a Medical Assistant Externship
An externship offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact your career as a medical assistant:
1. Gaining Hands-On Experience
Externships provide real-world experience that can be crucial when entering the job market. This experience will not only make you more confident but will also give you a taste of what working in a healthcare environment is really like. This hands-on learning helps solidify the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom.
2. Enhancing Your Resume
Employers often prefer candidates who have practical experience. Completing an externship can set you apart from other job applicants, making you a more favorable candidate. When an employer sees that you have education, certification, and externship experience, you become the ideal candidate for the role.
3. Building Professional Relationships
Externships provide networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with professionals in the field. Building relationships with supervisors, healthcare professionals, and other staff members can open doors to future job opportunities. A positive impression during your externship could even lead to a job offer upon graduation.
4. Understanding the Work Environment
Working in a real healthcare setting will expose you to the day-to-day operations of medical facilities. You’ll learn how to navigate the fast-paced environment, manage patient interactions, and use healthcare software and equipment effectively. This exposure will make you more comfortable and prepared for a full-time role.
5. Improving Soft Skills
Externships are an opportunity to enhance soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills are essential in healthcare and will help you succeed in your role as a medical assistant.
Conclusion
An externship is an invaluable step in your journey to becoming a successful medical assistant. It provides hands-on experience, enhances your resume, and prepares you for the real-world demands of the healthcare industry. By taking the initiative to complete an externship, you’re not only developing your skills but also setting yourself up for a rewarding career.
If you want to gain hands-on experience after completing your education and training, enrolling in a medical assistant program that offers both training and externship opportunities is the best way to start.
Your externship could be the key that unlocks your future success in the healthcare field, making you a confident, competent, and competitive job applicant. Don’t miss out on this essential experience!
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program
Overview
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program is entirely online and self-paced, making it ideal for students who need flexibility. Preppy’s program is offered in partnership with Auburn University, providing a reputable university certificate upon completion.
Program Highlights
- Mode of Delivery: 100% online and self-paced.
- Program Duration: 4 to 6 months, with access for up to a year.
- Tuition Cost: $1,599, which includes training materials.
- Certification: Prepares students for the CCMA certification exam.
- Practical Experience: Includes an externship opportunity at a local healthcare facility.
- Additional Benefits: Offers job assistance services for eligible graduates and a free laptop if you pay the tuition in full.
Also read: How to Become a Phlebotomist in 2024
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
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