An externship is like the grand finale of your Medical Assistant training! It’s where you get to use all the cool stuff you’ve learned in a real doctor’s office or clinic. It helps make sure all that knowledge sticks with you, and you understand it inside and out.
It’s super important to make the most out of your externship to help your future career shine. Even if you don’t want to work there forever, try to learn a ton and make sure everyone remembers you in a good way. Your first job might just come from a recommendation from the people you work with during your externship! Here are ten tips to help turn your externship into a real job:
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START STRONG First impressions matter a lot. Make sure you’re looking neat and tidy, and always be on your best behavior. You want to represent yourself and your training well to everyone you meet.
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STAY BUSY When there’s a quiet moment, don’t just chill and chat. See if others need a hand or if there are extra tasks you can do. Keep your phone in your pocket and save the personal chats for your break time. Make sure you’re always helping out and making patients smile.
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SHOW CONFIDENCE You’ve learned a lot, so don’t be shy to step up and solve problems when you can.
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DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK While it’s good to try things on your own, always ask questions if you’re not sure. It shows you really care about doing things right.
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KEEP SECRETS Never, ever talk about patients and their personal stuff outside the office. It’s the law (HIPAA) and it’s just the right thing to do.
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MAKE FRIENDS WITH CLIENTS Be kind and understanding with patients. Listen to their problems and needs – it will make them feel comfortable and cared for.
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BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS Everyone has their own way of doing things. Be ready to learn and try new things and always be ready to lend a hand to your team.
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UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT CULTURES Learn about the patients and their cultures. It helps you communicate better and provide the best care.
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ALWAYS BE PUNCTUAL Always plan to be on time and don’t miss days unless it’s really necessary. Treat your externship just like it’s a real job.
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GROW FROM MISTAKES When you get feedback, don’t take it as a personal attack. Use it to get better and learn new things. They wouldn’t teach you if they didn’t think you could do it!
In the end, your Medical Assistant externship is not just a learning opportunity, but a chance to build relationships with the people training you. They can give you advice, help you network, and might be your key to future opportunities. Be adaptable, contribute positively, and make sure you leave a good impression. This way, they’ll want you to be part of their team. If you want to find out more about our programs, especially the ones with an externship, chat with someone from the admissions team and sign up today.
Get started on your journey to becoming a Medical Assistant in Hawaii now! 🌺🩺👩⚕️
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