Chapter 23 - Medical assisting externships and preparing to find a position. After completing this chapter, students will be able to: Perform professionally in all externship scenarios, discuss employment services and methods of obtaining a position, create a résumé, create a cover letter, create a follow-up letter, explain key factors for a successful interview.
CHAPTER 23 Medical Assisting Externships and Preparing to Find a Position © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 232 Learning Outcomes 23.1 Perform professionally in all externship scenarios 23.2 Discuss employment services and methods of obtaining a position 23.3 Create a résumé © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 233 Learning Outcomes (cont.) 23.4Create a cover letter 23.5Create a follow-up letter 23.6Explain key factors for a successful interview © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 234 Introduction • Externship – an • You will learn to opportunity to write a explore the – Résumé different – Cover letter responsibilities of a – Thank-you letter medical assistant • Form a strategic plan for securing a position © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 235 Externships • Opportunity to gain on-the-job experience • Minimum of 160 hours • Mandatory requirement – ABHES – CAAHEP © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 236 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 â 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 237 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 238 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved Expectations of Externship Candidates 239 (cont.) • Attendance – Report each day assigned to a schedule – Be dependable and punctual – Adhere to policies regarding breaks © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved Expectations of Externship Candidates 2310 (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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2328 Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.) • Be honest • Exhibit appropriate behavior • Comply with application process Do not contact the interviewer excessively â 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2329 Interview Questions • Anticipate questions you may be asked • Inappropriate questions – Age – Race – Sexual orientation – Marital status – Number of children © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2330 Reasons for Not Being Hired • Poor appearance • Acting like a know-it-all • Poor communication • Lack of planning • Lack of confidence or poise © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2331 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2332 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2333 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2334 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 not believe the information is needed to evaluate your qualifications for the job © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2335 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2336 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2337 On the Job (cont.) • Continuing education – Set educational advancement goals annually – Stay current • Medical publications • Medical assisting meetings • Internet – Required to maintain certification © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2338 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! © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2339 In Summary 23.1 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 23.2 Students should be able to list classified advertisements available in local papers, employment Websites, networking and employment agencies where employment assistance is available © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2340 In Summary (cont.) 23.3 With assistance, students should turn in a workable, professional résumé which can be used to begin the employment search 23.4 Students should create a basic, professional cover letter which can be modified to fit the job description they are applying for © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2341 In Summary (cont.) 23.5 Students should create a basic follow-up letter that can be modified to send to each individual prospective employer after the interview is completed 23.6 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 © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 2342 End of Chapter 23 Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work ~ Aristotle © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved ... reserved 23 4 Introduction • Externship – an • You will learn to opportunity to write a explore the – Résumé different – Cover letter responsibilities of a – Thank-you letter medical assistant • Form... Candidates 23 10 (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... reserved 23 16 Résumés • Components – Personal information – Professional objective – Employment experience – Educational background © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 23 17