Tina Urness Minnesota School of Business June 15, 2009

Interventional Pain & Physical Medicine Clinic in Sartell, MN Medical Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Qualifications:  Full/Part Time Employee  Healthcare, Admin-Clerical  2-year Degree  2-years Experience

I chose this particular advertisement because the company is looking for someone like me! This advertisement is looking for a Medical Administrative Assistant. This is a full or part time position and this person will work in Sartell, MN for Interventional Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic. For this position, a qualified applicant must have a two-year degree and at least two-years of experience.

 What is the job growth for this type of job you want to get in the field? ◦ The occupational job growth for a Medical Administrative Assistant is expected to increase by 17% within the next seven years. This is higher than any other secretarial/administrative assistant position (legal, government, colleges, secondary schools, and employment services).  Where is the job growth occurring? ◦ The job growth is happening all over the United States.

 Where will the job growth be once you have graduated? ◦ The job growth will still be in the local area (of St. Cloud) when I graduate in June  What are the salaries and benefits for your intended job? ◦ The salary can vary greatly depending on skills and educational background; however, starting pay is about $31,000 a year in the St. Cloud area. Benefits include, but are not limited to, some bonuses, social security, 401k, healthcare, pension, and vacation time.  What are the salaries and benefits for an entry- level job in your field? ◦ Salary is slightly lower than a skilled assistant, but the benefits are very similar.

 How do the above findings align/differ from what you expected? ◦ This is what I expected to find for the desired career I’m looking into. When applying to Minnesota School of Business, the recruiter went over all of the details of the position and what I can expect once I graduate.

 Question: Give me an example of a time when you had to juggle several things at once. How often did this type of thing happen? How did you handle it? ◦ My Response: I’m currently the only employee, other than my boss/owner of the company. An example of a time when I had to juggle several things at one time is when we are getting ready for one of the trips. I’m in charge of making sure everything is packed for the weekend including typed nametags, beverages, games and prizes, CDs, and much more. While working on that, I’m also in charge of making the final arrangements for the trips, answering phone calls, making phone calls, and answering s. This is a daily thing for me.

 Question: What type of letters, memos, etc., can you set-up or write “from scratch?” ◦ My Response: I create many letters and forms from scratch. Because this company is one of the first of its kind, everything is new. Nothing has ever been created that works for the company I work for. I’m constantly creating forms for people that sign up for trips and with that; I have to have a place to show payments and special instructions for each person’s individual needs.  Question: What does “service” mean to you? ◦ My Response: I have always worked in a service type of environment. Service is always making sure the customer/client is comfortable or happy with his or her choice. It also means that I make sure the client knows that I understand what they need from me whether it is directions to their destination, a vacation that they have planned, or setting up a conference or meeting.

 Question: In past work situations, when have you felt most overwhelmed by work pressures? How did you react? ◦ My Response: I feel the most pressure on Friday afternoons before a trip. It is crunch time, and things need to be done and must be perfect in order to make the trip a success for all 52 passengers on the bus. When I start to feel pressured, I make a list of what needs to get done first, and what can wait until later in the day. This also helps me because it helps ensure that I won’t forget something that needs to be done.  Question: What have you done when you have had “down” time at work? ◦ My Response: In my down time, I like to sort through papers and files that have been sitting out for a while. I enjoy filing paperwork. This is also a nice break from the other kind of thinking I do at work every day.

 Question: Give me an example of the kind of thing you have had to keep confidential. When was it most difficult to keep that confidence? ◦ My Response: Where I currently work, everything is a mystery. I am always keeping secrets from people, even my own mother! You just never know when someone is going to be on a trip, and if someone is talking about it, the other person may overhear, and it is not as much fun when you know the secret to one of our trips. It is really hard to keep from my family and friends where I am going or what I’m doing on a given weekend.  Question: How did you change a system or procedures you worked under in your last job? ◦ My Response: I am constantly changing systems and procedures at my current place of work because things are constantly changing, and therefore, our needs are changing as well.

 Question: Do you enjoy proofreading or correcting other’s work? Why or why not? ◦ My Response: Yes, I’m very good at proofreading. I am the one that proof reads everything in the office before it goes out.  Question: Have you ever had a situation when you found mistakes on an assignment someone else gave you (to type, process, etc.)? What did you do about it? ◦ My Response: I have found mistakes on other people’s work. That is why I proofread things. I always bring it to their attention. If I don’t, then how will they know they made the mistake? The mistake needs to be corrected, and should be avoided in the future if possible. If they know about the mistake, then they should be able to correct it and remember in the future not to make that same mistake.

 Question: What kind of salary are you hoping for? ◦ My Response: Salary is a hard subject to address, but it definitely needs to be. I want to make more than I currently make. I have graduated from Minnesota School of Business, and I feel that I am very qualified for the position in which I am applying for. The average starting wage for the area is $31,000, and that is what I would like to be able to start at. With that, I would like to be eligible for benefits within three months of my start date.

 My Question: How would you describe the company culture? ◦ Why I would ask this: I would like to know the culture of the company so I can know and understand other cultures before I go into a work place. However, I’m very keen to other people’s cultures and religions, and I would never make fun of or judge someone for what they believe.  My Question: What are the most important skills for the job? ◦ Why I would ask this: This is such an important question. If I don’t have the skills they are looking for, then how will I be a good candidate for the position? I need to know what they are looking for. If I do not possess the skills they are looking for, then I will find a way to achieve those so that they see me as a valuable candidate for the position.

 My Question: What’s the company’s biggest challenge? How is it planning to meet that challenge? ◦ Why I would ask this: If the company has some big challenges facing them, I want to know how it will affect me and my position within the company. If the challenge is something I don’t feel that I am up to facing, then I probably am not a good fit for the position.

 My Question: How would you describe your ideal candidate? ◦ Why I would ask this: When I ask this question, I will have a better understanding of why or why not I might make a valuable employee within the company.  My Question: What’s a common career path at the company for someone in this role? ◦ Why I would ask this: I want to know if there is a chance for advancement within the company.  My Question: What do you think gives this company an edge over its competitors? ◦ Why would I ask this: I want to know what this company is doing to keep themselves at the top of employment and services. If the company is trying to be the best, then I know they will try to do their best for their employees.

 I really enjoyed this project. It gave a better feeling for what I am looking for in a potential employer. Not just any company will do. I was surprised to find out that the beginning salary was more than what I thought it was going to be.  I have applied and interviewed at a few companies, and the questions do not surprise me at all. I feel that I will be more than ready to find a job after this project and of course, completing college.  Currently, I am a receptionist, among other things, at the company I work for. For the positions I will be applying for after I graduate, I need to know the medical side of things. That is why I am back in school, and I feel that I will be very qualified after leaving Minnesota School of Business.