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Medical AssistingChapter 54

Second Edition

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Objectives54-1 Perform professionally in all externship scenarios.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 follow-up letter.54-6 Interview successfully.54-7 Become an effective employee.

Medical Assisting Externship and Preparing to Find a Position

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Introduction Externship Opportunity to

explore the different responsibilities that are required of a medical assistant.

Complete a resume, cover letter, and a thank-you letter.

Form a strategic plan on how to secure a position.

Gain knowledge of your new career.

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Externship Measured by hours

attended usually 160 hours.

Apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned.

Mandatory requirement for (ABHES) and (CAAHEP)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Preparing to Find Position Career Services at your school

Help with resume development Show you how to interview Assist with getting positions in your field

Employers will contact Career

Services to recruit medical personnel.

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Seeking Employment Involves:

Taking advantage of number of resources

Use Classified ads Internet sites Employment services Networking with

classmates and others

Positions you are qualified for:

Unit secretary Phlebotomist Patient care associate Entry-level medical

coding Clinical and

administrative position

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Creating a Resume Components of a Resume

Personal information Professional objective Employment experiences Educational background Awards and honors Campus and community activities Professional memberships Summary of skills

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Choosing a Resume Style Functional

Highlights specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths

Chronological Used by individuals who have job

experiences Targeted

Best focused on a specific job target List your skills, achievements, and honors

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Resume Writing Tips Organizing your information using a worksheet List your educational institutions with degrees and

years of attendance Choose a resume format that best describes you Use a computer and save it to disk Proofread for spelling and grammar. Don’t depend

on spell-check software Use clear and concise statements and sentences Be truthful and honest about your strengths and

abilities

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Writing Cover Letter An introduction to your resume Markets your resume 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 Resume Have correct address, zip code, and name of

facility If you fax, verify the fax number before

sending E-mail Post your resume and cover letter on the

Internet by using a career job search internet site

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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

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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

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Apply Your KnowledgeHow would you answer this question?

What do you consider to be your

greatest strengths and weaknesses?

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Apply Your Knowledge -AnswerAnswer

Responses will be individualized according to each of your strengths and weaknesses.

How would you answer this question?

What do you consider to be your

greatest strengths and weaknesses?

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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.

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Reasons for Not Being Hired Poor appearance Acting like a know-it-all Not communicating clearly Lack of planning for

interview No tact No maturity Being critical of past

employers

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Salary Negotiations Salaries are varied and

differ by geographic area. Determined by

Location Medical specialty Years of experience Credentialing Job description

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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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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.

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Continuing Education Set specific

educational advancement goals yearly.

You must stay abreast of updates in medicine.

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Summary

Medical Assistant

Resume, interview, application process, and professionalism

Continuing education and credentialing will enhance career

Career begins with externship and continues for duration of your career.

Being a medical assistant allows you to take your own direction in your career and enables you to make career changes.

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Apply Your Knowledge What do you include on a Functional resume?

Name three things that you know about the cover letter.

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Apply Your Knowledge -AnswerAnswer

Highlights specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths

1. Markets your resume as well as your skills and abilities

2. Direct and to the point

3. One page in length

What do you include on a Functional resume?

Name three things that you know about the cover letter.

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End of Chapter