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PowerPoint® to accompany
Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker
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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.