CHAPTER © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 54 Medical Assisting Externships and Preparing to Find a Position

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Learning Outcomes 54.1Perform professionally in all externship scenarios. 54.2Discuss employment services and methods of obtaining a position. 54.3Create a résumé.

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Learning Outcomes (cont.) 54.4Create a cover letter. 54.5Create a follow-up letter. 54.6Explain key factors for a successful interview.

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Introduction Externship – an opportunity to explore the different responsibilities of a medical assistant You will learn to write a –Résumé –Cover letter –Thank-you letter Form a strategic plan for securing a position

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 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 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

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 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 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 (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 (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 Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.) As an extern you represent –The school you attend –The profession of medical assisting –Yourself

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Expectations of Externship Candidates (cont.) Initiative and willingness to learn –Accept all assignments –Ask for additional work if time permits –Look for additional experiences

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Apply Your Knowledge What are the expectations of a candidate for an externship? ANSWER: Candidates are expected display professionalism in actions and appearance, to be dependable and punctual, and to exhibit initiative and a willingness to learn.

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Preparing to Find a Position Career services department –Job placement –Counselors Résumé Interviewing skills Positions available

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Seeking Employment Take advantage of resources –Classified ads and employment Websites –Internet Websites sites –Employment services –Networking Explore possibilities

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés Components –Personal information –Professional objective –Employment experience –Educational background

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés (cont.) Components –Awards and honors –Campus and community activities –Professional memberships and activities –Summary of skills

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés (cont.) Choosing a résumé style –Functional – highlights specialty areas of accomplishments and strengths –Chronological – used by people with job experience –Targeted – focuses on a specific job target Writing the résumé –Direct, functional style –Focus on verbs that imply action –Choose words that display strengths and demonstrate initiative

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés (cont.) Writing tips –Organize information on a worksheet –List educational institutions with dates attended and degree or certificate attained –Choose format that best describes you

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés (cont.) Tips –Use a computer and save work –Proofread for spelling and grammar –Use high-quality paper –Be truthful and honest

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Résumés (cont.) Cover letter –An introduction to résumé –Markets your résumé 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

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Sending a Résumé Use correct address, zip code, and name of facility Verify the fax number before sending Post your résumé and cover letter on a career job search site on the Internet

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Obtaining a Reference Recommendation for employment Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference Faculty and externship facility Generally 3 to 5 –Employment –Academic –Character

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Portfolios Collection of employment documentation –Résumé –Reference list –Awards –Transcripts –Diploma/certificates Professional appearance

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Apply Your Knowledge 1. What do you include on a functional resume? 2. Name two things that you know about the cover letter. ANSWER: You should highlight specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths. ANSWER: The cover letter: 1. Markets your resume as well as your skills and abilities 2. Direct and to the point 3. One page in length Correct!

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Interview Planning and Strategies Practice interviewing Anticipate questions Learn about the company Dress appropriately Be poised and relaxed

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.) Maintain comfortable eye contact Relate your experience to the job Be honest Focus on how you can benefit the company Be punctual

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.) Be honest Exhibit appropriate behavior Comply with application process Do not contact the interviewer excessively

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 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 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 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 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 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 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 do not believe the information is needed to evaluate your qualifications for the job.

© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved 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 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 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 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 In Summary 54.1 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. 54.2Students 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 In Summary (cont.) 54.3With assistance, students should turn in a workable, professional résumé which can be used to begin the employment search. 54.4Students 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 In Summary (cont.) 54.5Students should create a basic follow-up letter that can be modified to send to each individual prospective employer after the interview is completed. 54.6Students 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 End of Chapter 54 Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. ~ Aristotle