60 Externship and Career Opportunities Lesson 1: Preparing for the Externship and Certification Examination

Lesson Objectives Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to: Define and spell the terms to learn for this chapter. Discuss three advantages of an externship experience.

Externship and Career Opportunities One of the best means to facilitate transition between classroom and medical setting is through externship experience Student is able to gain experience while under supervision Most medical facilities who employ medical assistants prefer medical assistant has national certification

What is an Externship or Practicum? Externship (practicum): student leaves the confines of the classroom and works, without payment, in physician's office, hospital, other health care setting using newly acquired medical assisting skills under supervision of someone at the site Offers student opportunity to get on-the-job experience

What is an Externship or Practicum? Externship course can be as short as four weeks or as long as one semester school Schools accredited by Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) require externship of a minimum of 160 hours

What is an Externship or Practicum? Both AAMA and AMT professional organizations expect graduates to have had actual mentoring experiences in a real medical office to be certified Externship experience should provide medical assistant with ample entry level experience in both administrative and clinical skills

What is an Externship or Practicum? School will work with you to select right externship or practicum site based on your skills, needs, and place of residency Practicum or externship experience monitored by school's clinical instructor or externship/practicum coordinator

FIGURE 60-1 Medical assistant administering an injection FIGURE 60-1 Medical assistant administering an injection. Mark Bowden/Getty Images

What is an Externship or Practicum? The Externship/Practicum Experience Opportunity to see how physician's office, ambulatory care setting, or clinic operates on a day-to-day basis You will be exposed to a variety of different personalities in the work setting

What is an Externship or Practicum? The Externship/Practicum Experience Gain additional experience using your skills Gain experience in managing your time and balancing your workday, school day, home life

What is an Externship or Practicum? Some of the areas evaluated are: Administrative and clinical skills and techniques Caring attitude Empathy for patients Enthusiasm Ethical standards Grooming and dress Initiative

What is an Externship or Practicum? Some of the areas evaluated are: Integrity Interpersonal skills with patients, physicians, and office staff Language and communication skills Poise under pressure Professionalism Punctuality and dependability

FIGURE 60-2 Medical assistant working in a front office area of a medical office. Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock

What is an Externship or Practicum? Student Responsibilities Prepare in advance of the interview Review skills Update resume Plan how to project professional appearance Each externship or practicum site is unique May have additional requirements 14

What is an Externship or Practicum? Student Responsibilities Malpractice insurance coverage Documentation of recent physical exam Immunizations (hepatitis and tetanus) Be extremely cautious regarding ethical and legal concerns

What is an Externship or Practicum? Student Responsibilities When errors are handled immediately, in many cases they can be corrected Issues of confidentiality and patient privacy

What is an Externship or Practicum? Student Responsibilities You will be observed and supervised by on-the-job supervisor and your practicum or externship coordinator Practicum or externship experience is meant to be a learning experience; ask questions Your behavior and work performance will be a direct reflection on school that prepared you

FIGURE 60-3 Medical assistant extern clarifying externship issues with the office manager. Steve Debenport/Getty Images

What is an Externship or Practicum? Finding the Right Site Most schools have externship coordinator who screens and selects health care sites appropriate for training Often the school has affiliation agreement with externship site; outlines responsibilities of school and site

What is an Externship or Practicum? Finding the Right Site Generally, students do not select practicum or externship sites without assistance from the school or its externship/practicum coordinator

What is an Externship or Practicum? The Preceptor Role Physician may designate another member of health care team as supervisor for student Provides additional instruction and guidance for student by observing student's performance of particular skills

What is an Externship or Practicum? The Preceptor Role Provides formal written evaluation for student Looks for continual improvement in skills as student gains confidence

FIGURE 60-4 Taking a blood pressure is one of the procedures the medical assistant extern may perform under the supervision of a preceptor. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

What is an Externship or Practicum? Externship/Practicum Site Evaluation Was overall externship experience positive or negative? Explain. Was supervisor or preceptor approachable and available to answer questions?

What is an Externship or Practicum? Externship/Practicum Site Evaluation What, in your opinion, could be improved about this externship/practicum site and experience? Should this externship/practicum site be offered to other students?

Preparing for the Certification Examination Starts as soon as the student begins a training program All class notes and information acquired during training program should be maintained Variety of examination preparation courses are offered Review books provide student with sample test questions

Preparing for the Certification Examination Study questions generally related to three major categories covered on examination: General Administrative Clinical

Preparing for the Certification Examination Certification examination offered by AAMA and AMT organizations throughout year Examinations available at computer centers throughout United States

Preparing for the Certification Examination CMA (AAMA) examination Students who are graduates of CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs in medical assisting

Preparing for the Certification Examination Eligibility for RMA (AMT) medical assisting certification examination is graduation from regionally or nationally accredited program approved by U.S. Department of Education

Preparing for the Certification Examination CMA and RMA examinations consist of a comprehensive test that includes questions relating to: General transdisciplinary knowledge Administrative knowledge Clinical knowledge

Preparing for the Certification Examination Major Areas Tested on CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT) Examinations General Medical terminology Anatomy and physiology Behavioral science, psychology Medical law and ethics

Preparing for the Certification Examination Major Areas Tested on CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT) Examinations Administrative Oral and written communication Records management Insurance and coding Computers and office machines Bookkeeping, collections, credit

Preparing for the Certification Examination Major Areas Tested on CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT) Examinations Clinical Examination room techniques Laboratory procedures Pharmacology, medication administration Emergency procedures Specimen collection

Questions? 35