Lecture Medical assisting: Administrative and clinical competencies (2/e) - Chapter 54

Chapter 54 - Medical assisting externship and preparing to find a position. After completing a medical assisting program, you may be excited and apprehensive about beginning your new career. In this chapter, you learn how to maximize your externship experience and gain the hands-on experience you need for securing a position in medical assisting.

PowerPoint® to accompany Medical Assisting Chapter 54 Second Edition Ramutkowski  Booth  Pugh  Thompson  Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Permission required for reproduction or display Medical Assisting Externship and Preparing to  Find a Position  Objectives 54­1 Perform professionally in all externship scenarios 54­2 Utilize employment services and methods of    obtaining a position 54­3 Create a resume 54­4 Create a cover letter 54­5 Create a follow­up letter 54­6 Interview successfully 54­7 Become an effective employee Introduction   Externship  Opportunity to  explore the different  responsibilities that   are required of a  medical assistant Complete a resume,  cover letter, and a  thank­you letter Form a strategic plan  on how to secure a  position  Gain knowledge of your new career Externship     Measured by hours  attended usually 160  hours Apply the knowledge  and skills that you have  learned Mandatory requirement  for (ABHES) and  (CAAHEP) The Externship Process  Clinical coordinator    Arrange experiences Ensure that the site will  provide a thorough  educational experience Externships are unpaid  Requirements  Affiliation agreement  has to be signed Affiliation agreement states the expectations of the facility  and the expectations of the student Screening by Externship Site  Site may:      Interview the student prior to externship Ask the student to provide a urine or hair sample  for drug screening Ask the student to consent to a criminal  background check Fill out application and new employee orientation  if signing an agreement to work after externship Professionalism  Conduct themselves in a professional manner at  all times  Accept constructive criticism  Students are not expected to know everything  It is not professional to question or argue with  clinical preceptor  Expected to be professional with patients at all  times Professionalism (cont.)  Professional appearance Clean, pressed, and well fitting  Shoes clean and white  Name tag or badge   Initiative and willingness to learn Accept all assignments  Ask for additional work if you are idle  Look for tasks to do    Attendance   Every day  attendance is  required Have alternatives  for babysitting and  transportation Medical facilities will not tolerate absenteeism or tardiness  from an externship student, and you may be asked to be  removed Timesheets    Complete daily and fax to    educational facility at the  end of every week Clinical preceptor and  student both sign Student is monitored by  clinical coordinator and the  program director   10 Sending a Resume     Have correct address, zip code, and name of  facility If you fax, verify the fax number before  sending E­mail  Post your resume and cover letter on the  Internet by using a career job search internet  site 17 Interviewing       Prepare by practicing how you are going to  handle the interview Decide on what you will wear Be punctual Use appropriate interview behavior Learn about the company Relate your experiences to the job 18 Interviewing (cont.)        Be honest Focus on how you can benefit the company Be poised and relaxed Maintain comfortable eye contact Anticipate question types Close the interview on a positive note Follow – up letter 19 Apply Your Knowledge How would you answer this question? What you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses? 20 Apply Your Knowledge ­Answer How would you answer this question? What you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses? Responses will be individualized according  to each of your strengths and weaknesses 21 Inappropriate Interview Questions  You are not obligated to  answer the following:     How old are you? Are you married? How many children do  you have? Be polite but decline to  answer a question if you  feel it is inappropriate 22 Reasons for Not Being Hired        Poor appearance Acting like a know­it­all Not communicating clearly Lack of planning for  interview No tact No maturity Being critical of past  employers 23 Salary Negotiations   Salaries are varied and  differ by geographic area Determined by       Location Medical specialty Years of experience Credentialing Job description   24 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 25 Employee Evaluations     Initial review generally occurs after  probationary period of 90 days Evaluation describes employee’s  performance Evaluation form outlines most important  qualities and abilities needed for the job.  Helps determine whether an employee is  worthy of a merit raise 26 Continuing Education   Set specific  educational  advancement goals  yearly You must stay  abreast of updates  in medicine 27 Summary  Medical Assistant   Career begins with externship and continues for  duration of your career Resume, interview,  Continuing education  application process,  and credentialing will  and professionalism enhance career                         Being a medical assistant allows you to take your own direction in your  career and enables you to make career changes 28 Apply Your Knowledge  What do you include on a Functional resume?  Name three things that you know about the  cover letter   29 Apply Your Knowledge ­Answer  What do you include on a Functional resume? Highlights specialty areas of your accomplishments  and strengths  Name three things that you know about the  cover letter  1 Markets your resume as well as your skills and  abilities Direct and to the point One page in length 30 End of Chapter 31 .. .Medical Assisting Externship and Preparing to  Find a Position  Objectives 54 1 Perform professionally in all externship scenarios 54 2 Utilize employment services and methods of ... 54 2 Utilize employment services and methods of    obtaining a position 54 3 Create a resume 54 4 Create a cover letter 54 5 Create a follow­up letter 54 6 Interview successfully 54 7 Become an effective employee Introduction ... attended usually 160  hours Apply the knowledge  and skills that you have  learned Mandatory requirement  for (ABHES) and (CAAHEP) The Externship Process  Clinical coordinator    Arrange experiences