1. MA 290 Unit 1

2. Journaling This course requires you to use the personal journal and share your thoughts and feelings about your clinical experiences with your instructor. You will need to post one journal entry for each week by Saturday of the academic week and a second by the end of the unit on Tuesday. Specific journal topics for each week are listed in each unit. The overall concept with the discussion and journaling is that you are using the two tools together to interact with your KU instructor at least three times per week. The Journal is located under the Dropbox Tab. As you are journaling about your externship experience this week, think about what qualities you need to master to become an experienced healthcare professional. In your journal, comment on what you are going to need to do over the course of the externship to demonstrate your professionalism. You have commented on your strengths in this week's course discussion, but in what areas do you think you will need to develop your professionalism skills? How will your strengths help you to develop the areas you have identified you need to work on?

3. 2nd Journal entry: Each week you will need to provide your instructor with a brief synopsis of the skills that you are mastering in the externship site. Include a discussion about experiences with patients, the staff, your instructor/mentor, and the physician(s). Please note that students should contact their Clinical Student Manager with concerns regarding their clinical experience. This journal is designed for students to describe experiences to their instructor with the understanding that the CSM (Clinical Student Manager) will handle any concerns/issues that may arise at the externship site.

4. To earn an “A”… Entries are on topic and demonstrate insight into professional behavior and growth Entries make frequent, informed references to the skills the student is gaining on externship Entries are clearly written and completely answer the posted question/topic each week Each entry is at least 150 words in length. First entry is posted by Sunday, second entry posted by Tuesday of the unit Entries are free of mechanical and stylistic errors

5. UNIT 2 TOPIC Medical professionals must adhere to many safety requirements while performing their duties in a medical office (or any other setting). While journaling this week, think about what safety precautions you used as you completed your tasks. Was there a time when you observed staff who were not following precautions? Describe which precautions were not followed, why those precautions are important. What are the potential consequences for not following them? Why do you think some healthcare professionals choose not to use the precautions?

6. Seminar Unit 1, Unit 4, Unit 8 If you cant attend, it is OK Complete Option 2 – 700 words essay on the topic assigned

7. Unit Nine Project As you complete your externship, you should review and update your resume. This will help you prepare for your job search! Please submit your updated resume to the dropbox by the end of Unit 9. Don't forget this is a graded assignment! Create your resume in a Word 97-2003 document.

8. It is your time to SHINE!!!!!!!!!! Think of it as a job interview (an extended one)

9. Be open minded Don’t turn away opportunities

10. Know the office procedures Know the politics but avoid them

11. Remember what being a professional is: ATTITUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE DRESS CELLPHONE USAGE TIMELINESS NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

12. From the MA forum “Just keep yourself busy at all times when the workload is slow. Things that I did during slow periods was help with boxing up old charts, sterilizing surgical instruments, learning front office skills, which has paid off for me. Show them that you are a teamplayer and that their team cannot operate without you. Good luck!!!”

13. What NOT to do Make a bad impression before you start. Phone friends from the office. Forget to check important details. Assume that your boss shares your sense of humor. Think the small jobs are beneath you. Go to HAPPY HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!