1. Preparing for the World of Work58
Preparing for the World of Work

2. Learning Outcomes
58.1 Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
58.2 Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
58.3 Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.

3. Learning Outcomes 58.4 Explain key factors for a successful interview.
58.5 Describe ways of becoming a successful employee.

4. Introduction Maximizing applied training experience Certification
Searching for a position
Resume
Cover letter
Thank-you letter
Developing a plan
Interviewing techniques
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
You will
Learn how to maximize your applied training experience.
Gain the hands-on experience you need for securing a position in medical assisting.
Understand the process for becoming a nationally-certified medical assistant.
Know how to effectively begin searching for a position in medical assisting.
Includes completing a résumé, cover letter, and thank-you letter.
How to form a strategic plan to secure this position.
Gain valuable interviewing techniques.

5. Training in Action Applied training experience
Opportunity to gain on-the-job experience
Minimum of 160 hours
Mandatory requirement
ABHES
CAAHEP
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Applied training experience – externship or practicum
It is an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned.
A mandatory requirement of fulfilling a medical assisting program in accredited educational institutions.
Externship opportunities
Physician offices
Laboratories
Hospitals
Administrative billing offices
Clinics

6. The Applied Training Process
Partnership
Applied training coordinator
Arranges experiences
Ensures that the site will provide a thorough educational experience
Acts as liaison
Requirement – affiliation agreement
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
The educational institution partners with local medical facilities
The applied training coordinator – procures applied training sites
Students should be positive about the experience and appreciate the opportunity to train with the facility.
Affiliation agreement – states the expectations of the facility and the expectations of the student.

7. The Applied Training Process (cont.)
Clinical Training Time Sheet
Medical Assistant Program
Complete the log daily and fax the log each week to the school no later than 5 p.m. Friday.
For each day attended, please include a brief description of the duties performed.
The Timesheet must be signed and dated by both the student and the Clinical Site Supervisor.
Screening
Interviews students
Drug screening
Background check
Time sheets and progress reports
Progress reports submitted weekly
Student is monitored a clinical preceptor
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Screening
Clinical site may screen students prior to their applied training.
Always be honest when providing information for a criminal background check.
Time Sheets
Completed on a daily basis and faxed to the educational facility at the end of every week.
The clinical coordinator or a medical assisting instructor may make weekly telephone calls and site visits.
Some schools require weekly progress reports from each student, outlining the procedures and duties the student performed during the week.
When students finish their applied training, the preceptors will complete a final evaluation and the students will be graded on their applied training performance.

8. Expectations of Applied Training Candidates
Professionalism
Accept constructive criticism
Do not question how procedures are done
Demonstrate compassion and empathy
Use proper verbal skills and grammar
Turn cell phones and pagers off during working hours
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Constructive criticism – feedback about your performance given to help you improve your performance.
You are expected to be open to suggestions and ideas.
You may be exposed to some procedures that are not performed exactly as you were taught. Remember that there is usually more than one way to get the desired result in patient care.
Your behavior is expected to be as professional as if you were an employee there.

9. Expectations of Applied Training Candidates (cont.)
Attendance
Report each day assigned to a schedule
Be dependable and punctual
Adhere to policies regarding breaks and lunch
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Chronic attendance and punctuality issues can be grounds for termination of your applied training.
In the event of an emergency, you are expected to call the medical facility and the school 2 hours before the beginning of your shift, as would any other employee.

10. Expectations of Applied Training Candidates (cont.)
Professional appearance
Uniform and shoes
Name tag or badge
No artificial nails, visible tattoos, or facial piercings
Hair and make-up
Avoid colognes, perfumes, and scented hair products
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Most facilities require a uniform. It should be clean, pressed, and well fitting.
Shoes per dress code, clean and polished.
Nails should be trimmed and clean – no artificial nails, like acrylics.
Facial and tongue piercings are not acceptable when working with patients, and visible tattoos must be covered.
Hair should be a natural color and pulled back from your face and off your collar.
Makeup should be conservative and in good taste.
Perfumes, colognes, scented shampoos, hair gels, and hairsprays should not be used because patients with respiratory conditions or allergies may not be able to tolerate them.

11. Expectations of Applied Training Candidates (cont.)
You represent
The school you attend
The profession of medical assisting
Yourself
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
During your applied training experience, you represent
The school you attend
It is important to maintain a good reputation in the medical community.
You will depend on the school’s reputation to obtain a job.
The profession of medical assisting
Participating in a medical assisting applied training program gives you an opportunity to represent the profession of medical assisting to patients and the community.
Yourself
First impressions are lasting impressions.
Even if you are not offered a position here, or if the site is not one where you would like a permanent position, the office will be able to give you your first professional reference and may be key to your obtaining your first position as a medical assistant.

12. Expectations of Applied Training Candidates (cont.)
Initiative and willingness to learn
Accept all assignments
Ask for additional work
Look for additional experiences
Make a good impression
Be assertive and confident
Step out of comfort zone
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Initiative and Willingness to Learn
Accept all assignments with enthusiasm and grace; they may be a test on how well you accept assignments and work within a medical team.
Ask for additional work if you are idle, and look for tasks that need to be done.
Be prepared to observe and participate in all office policies and procedures.

13. Apply Your Knowledge Very Good!
What are the expectations of a candidate for an externship?
ANSWER: Candidates are expected conduct themselves in a professional manner, to be dependable and punctual, to dress and appear as a medical professional, to exhibit initiative and a willingness to learn, and to make a good impression.
Learning Outcome: Carry out professionalism in all applied training scenarios.
Very Good!

14. Obtaining Professional Certification
Preferred by many employers
Hiring advantage
Career advancement
Credentialing agencies
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
American Medical Technologists
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Some employers require and many prefer a medical assistant who is certified.
Certification makes you more desirable in a competitive job market and enhance the possibilities of career advancement once you are hired.
Credentialing agencies
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Offers the CMA (AAMA) exam
The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Offers the RMA exam

15. Certification Qualifications
AAMA
Graduation from an accredited program
Test
30 days prior to graduation
Within 12 months after graduation
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Both agencies require that you are of good character, including having no felony convictions or guilty pleas to felonies.
AAMA
Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program.
You may take the test up to 30 days prior to graduation or within 12 months after graduation.

16. Certification Qualifications
AMT
Graduation from an accredited program
Formal US Armed Forces medical services training
5 years work experience
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
AMT
Graduation from an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting program
Graduation from a program at a college with regional accreditation and at least 720 clock hours of medical assisting skills training.
Completion of formal US Armed Forces medical services training.
Someone with at least 5 years of experience working as a medical assistant may take the RMA exam.

17. Applying for the Exam Request an application Gather required documents
Review all exam policies and procedures.
Complete and submit the application
Schedule an exam time
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Both organizations require you to complete an application form.

18. Preparing To Take The Exam
Test format
CMA(AMAA) ~ computer-based
RMA ~ either computer-based or paper
General content areas
Medical administrative
Clinical
Laboratory
Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Medical ethics and law
Human behavior
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Preparation will increase your chances of successfully completing the exam.
Know
Test format – how you will take the test.
Content areas – gives you general information about the material covered on the test.
General Content Areas
These general areas are expanded further in the Content Outlines available from the AAMA or AMT.
Use the expanded Content Outlines as a study guide and review materials from each specific content area.

19. Preparing To Take The Exam (cont.)
Study tips
Start early
Study some every day
Create a study schedule
Study in a quiet place
Make flash cards
Use mnemonic devices
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Start by taking a practice exam that covers all the content areas of the real exam. This will give you information about your areas of weakness.
Use this information to focus your studies on what you do not know.
Take another practice test and identify the areas you are still having trouble with and study the content in those areas.

20. Preparing To Take The Exam (cont.)
Be well rested
Arrive on time
Bring all necessary documents
Tell yourself that you are prepared
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
The Day of the Test
Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
Eat a balanced breakfast. Your brain, like your car, needs fuel.
Take a short walk if you can. Exercise helps your brain as well as your body.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the testing site and make sure you know exactly where it is.
If you are taking a pencil and paper test, bring more than one pencil with you.

21. Apply Your Knowledge Hurray!
What two certification requirements do the AAMA and AMT have in common?
ANSWER: Both have requirements of graduation from an accredited program (with some additional choices for the AMT). Both require successful completion of a test.
Learning Outcome: Summarize the necessary steps for obtaining professional certification.
Hurray!

22. Preparing to Find a Position
Career services department
Job placement
Counselors
Resume
Interviewing skills
Positions available
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
The career services department – primary focus is job placement after graduation.
Many employers will contact a school’s career services department to recruit medical personnel.

23. Seeking Employment Internet and classified ads
Classified ads and employment websites
Medical practice network sites
Internet websites sites for job seekers
Explore job possibilities
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Internet Sites and Classified Ads
Employment websites and classified advertisements in area newspapers – describes the position’s duties and responsibilities as well as the type of education and experience preferred.
Becoming credentialed will help you bridge experience gap.
Job possibilities
Unit secretary in hospitals
Phlebotomist in labs
Patient care associate or patient care technician in hospitals
Entry-level medical coding and billing
Customer service representative in medical-related companies
Clinical or administrative positions in physician offices and clinics
Internet websites for job seekers allow them to post résumés online and to respond to advertisements that are posted by employers locally or statewide.
Newly graduated medical assistants should post their résumé and cover letter on all local hospital and physician network websites, and on local employment websites during their applied training to start circulating their résumés.

24. Seeking Employment Employment services Networking Temporary agencies
Application, test, résumé
Networking
Word-of-mouth
Organizations
Classmates
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Employment Services – employment and temporary agencies provide assistance in locating a specific job.
Networking
Involves making contacts with relatives, friends, and acquaintances that may have information about how to find a job in your field.
Look for opportunities at your applied training site.
Be active in medical assisting organizations and attend conferences.
Networking begins in the classroom. Classmates may know of positions as they gain employment.

25. Creating a Resume Components Personal information
Professional objective
Employment experience
Educational background
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Your résumé provides potential employers with information about your educational and work history and other aspects of your background.
Personal Information – include your name, address, telephone number, cell phone number, and address.
Professional Objective
A brief, general statement that demonstrates a career goal.
If you want to list a specific career objective, it would be best to mention it in the cover letter and not on your résumé.
Employment Experience
List the title of your most recent job first, the dates employed there, and a brief description of your duties.
Choose jobs that have been the most beneficial to your working career.
Only include jobs you have held for a longer period of time.
Educational Background
List your highest degree first, the school, the dates, and the major field of study.
Include educational experience that may be relevant to the job.
List skills obtained during your training.

26. Creating a Resume (cont.)
Components
Awards and honors
Campus and community activities
Professional memberships and activities
Summary of skills
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Awards and Honors – related to your career, or that indicate excellence.
Campus and Community Activities
Activities that show leadership abilities and a willingness to contribute.
Volunteer work.
Professional Memberships and Activities – career-related professional memberships.
Summary of Skills –
List the skills you have acquired in school and on your applied training.
List under headings such as “Clinical Skills” or “Administrative Skills”.

27. Creating a Resume (cont.)
Functional resume
Highlights specialty areas
Changing careers, reentering job marker
Chronological resume
List most recent first,
Stayed in same field, growth and development
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Functional résumé
Highlights specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths.
Useful when you change careers, reenter the job market after an absence, or have had a variety of different, unconnected work experiences.
Chronological résumé
Best when you stay in the same field as your prior jobs and when your employment history shows growth and development.
Do not use if you
Have gaps in your work history.
Have changed careers.
Have been in the same job for many years.
Are looking for your first job.

28. Creating a Resume (cont.)
Targeted resume
Academic-type resume
No relevant job experience
Stress achievements and community and volunteer work
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Targeted résumé
If you are focused on a specific job target, it should contain a clear, concise objective about what you are looking for.
List your skills, academic achievements, student honors, and other pertinent information that correlates with your objective.
Best if you have just graduated and do not have relevant job experience.
List your skills, achievements, and community and volunteer work first.

29. Writing the Resume Direct, functional style
Focus on words that imply action
Keep the reader’s interest
Highlight your accomplishments
Choose words that display strengths and demonstrate initiative
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Résumé writing is different from any other form of writing.
You should use a direct, functional writing style that focuses on the use of verbs and other words that imply action on your part.
Your résumé should keep the reader’s interest and highlight your major accomplishments in a concise, effective manner.
Choose words that display your strengths and demonstrate your initiative.
Refer to Table 58-1 Effective Résumé Terms

30. Writing the Resumes (cont.)
Tips
Organize information
List educational institutions
Choose format that best describes you
Use a computer and save work
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Organize your information by using a worksheet.
List all the addresses, dates, phone numbers, and supervisors of previous positions that you have held.
Write down brief descriptions of all the responsibilities and duties of your positions.
List your educational institutions and their addresses, your dates of attendance, and the type of diploma or degree, including your major.
Choose a résumé format that best describes your experience, education, and achievements.
Use a computer and save your résumé.

31. Writing the Resumes (cont.)
Tips
Proofread for spelling and grammar
Use high-quality paper
Be truthful and honest
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Proofread all spelling and grammar
Your completed résumé should be perfect.
Do not rely on the spell-checking feature of your computer.
Proofread your résumé line by line, and request that someone else also proofread your résumé.
Select a high-quality, standard size (8½ by 11) résumé paper with a weight between 20 and 25 pounds. Use an ivory or white paper with matching envelopes.
Use clear and concise statements and sentences.
Your writing should reflect a positive and confident tone.
Avoid using the word “I” because the reader already knows that the résumé is referring to you.
Be truthful and honest about your strengths and abilities. Do not mislead or exaggerate any skills, talents, or experience.

32. Writing a Cover Letter An introduction to resume
Markets your resume as well as your skills and abilities
Motivates the employer to consider you
Direct and to the point
One page in length
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
An effective cover letter motivates the employer to review the résumé and interview the candidate.
One page and typed on paper that matches your résumé.

33. Writing a Cover Letter Address to specific person
Research the facility
Descriptions of your qualifications should reflect words used in the advertisement
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Address the cover letter to a specific person in the organization. If a name is not available, it is acceptable to address the letter to “Human Resource Manager” or “Recruitment Manager.”
Research the facility or hospital prior to writing the letter. This helps you tailor your letter to show how your qualifications and interests directly relate to the needs of the company or medical facility.

34. Sending a Resume Use correct address, zip code, and name of facility
Fax – verify number
– log-in name
Post on a career job search site on the Internet
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
When sending, make sure you have the correct name, address, and zip code.
Type the address on a matching envelope.
Do not hand-write envelopes; professionally appearing mail is often opened first.
Fax
Verify the fax number and person or department you are faxing to.
Make sure your name is on all the faxed pages.
ing – choose a log-in name that is conservative and professional.
Internet job search site
Provides directions on how to post your résumé and cover letter.
Some school career services departments host online job fairs and will assist you in posting your résumé.

35. Obtaining a Reference
Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference
Generally 3 to 5
Employment
Academic
Character
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Prior to the end of your applied training, meet with your preceptor and ask for a reference – a recommendation for employment.
A reference can be in the form of a letter from the facility, preceptor, or physician, or it can be a request to include these people on your reference list.
Your first references in medical assisting are your instructors and then the applied training facility.
Generally have 3-5 references
Employment – your applied training facility, preceptor
Academic – ask instructors for a general letter before you finish your program.
Character – fellow members of professional associations or your classmates.
List them on a separate sheet of paper so that you can provide them upon request and update the list as needed.

36. Preparing a Portfolio Collection of employment documentation
Resume
Reference list
Awards
Transcripts
Diploma/certificates
Professional appearance
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
A portfolio is a collection of documents.
Use a portfolio to organize all your employment documentation.
Give your portfolio a professional presentation by printing your documents on a high-quality printer and organizing them in a nice binder.

37. Apply Your Knowledge Correct!
What do you include on a functional resume?
ANSWER: You should highlight specialty areas of your accomplishments and strengths.
Name two things that you know about the cover letter.
ANSWER: The cover letter:
Markets your resume as well as your skills and abilities
Direct and to the point
One page in length
Learning Outcome: Describe an appropriate strategy for finding a position.
Correct!

38. Interviewing Make sure prospective employers can reach you
Plan what to wear and how to present yourself professionally
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Make sure that prospective employers can reach you by telephone.
Invest in answering machine or voice mail.
Be sure the outgoing message is clear, concise, and professional.
Make sure all household members who answer the phone know proper etiquette and how to take a written message.
Plan what to wear and how to present yourself in the most professional way.
When a prospective employer calls with an interview invitation, write down the interviewer’s name, company or practice name, day, time, and location of the interview.

39. Interview Planning and Strategies
Practice interviewing
Anticipate question types – plan answers
Learn about the company
Dress appropriately
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Being successful in a medical assisting career is centered on communication. These communication skills will be assets during your job interviews.
Strategies to improve your interviewing skills
Practice interviewing – rehearse possible questions and be prepared to answer them directly.
Anticipate question types – expect open-ended questions such as “What are your strengths?” “What are your weaknesses?” “Tell me about your best work experience.”
Decide in advance what information and skills are pertinent to the position and reveal your strengths.
Dress appropriately – do not wear current fashions or fad clothing to an interview.
Pay special attention to grooming.
Simply carry a pen, your portfolio with extra copies of your résumé, and a small pad for taking notes.
Turn cell phones off during the interview or leave them in your vehicle.

40. Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.)
Be punctual
Be professional
Know the interviewer’s title and how to pronounce his or her name
Exhibit appropriate behavior
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Be punctual – a good first impression is important and can be lasting. Know the location and the time of the interview. Allow time for traffic, parking, and other preliminaries.
Know the interviewer’s title and the pronunciation of his or her name. Do not sit down until the interviewer does.
Exhibit appropriate interview behavior
Offer your hand for a firm, confident handshake, and be alert to the interviewer’s body language.
Maintain eye contact, pay attention to the interviewer, and show interest.
Ask intelligent questions that you prepared before the interview.
The interviewer will evaluate your personality and behavior. At the same time, you will be observing the office and learning more about the position. Be poised and relaxed

41. 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
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Maintain comfortable eye contact. Use other nonverbal techniques like a firm handshake to reinforce your confidence.
Relate your experience to the job. Show how your skills relate to the job.
Be honest. It is important to be confident and stress your strengths. It is equally important to be honest.
Focus on how you can benefit the company. Do not ask about benefits, salary, or vacations until you are offered the job.
Close the interview on a positive note.
Thank the interviewer for his or her time, shake hands, and say that you are looking forward to hearing from him or her.
After leaving the interview, write down any additional information you want to remember.

42. Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.)
Be poised and relaxed
Close on a positive note
Follow-up with a thank-you
Complete an application
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Be poised and relaxed. Avoid nervous habits like tapping your pencil, playing with your hair, or covering your mouth with your hand.
Use proper grammar and pronunciation as you talk with the interviewer.
Follow up with a letter within two days of the interview.
After an interview, it is professional to send a thank-you letter to the person or persons from the company who conducted your interview.
By sending a thank-you letter, you display common business courtesy, which can make a difference in the employer’s hiring decision.
Refer to Procedure 58-2 Writing Thank-You Notes
Complete an application.
Some employers ask you to complete an employment application at an interview even when you provide a résumé.
Fill in all sections of the application. Do not write “see résumé.”

43. Interview Planning and Strategies (cont.)
Comply with other aspects of the application process
Do not excessively contact the interviewer after the interview
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Comply with other aspects of the application process.
Request documents verifying your identity and eligibility to work in the US.
Check your police record, credit rating, and history of chemical or alcohol abuse. A drug screen may be requested.
Check your police record, credit rating, and history of chemical or alcohol abuse.
Do not excessively contact the interviewer by telephone or after the interview.
It is acceptable to ask when a decision will be made, and will you be called whether or not an offer of employment will be made.
It is also acceptable to ask permission to contact the interviewer to follow up on the position.

44. Interview Questions Anticipate questions you may be asked
Inappropriate questions
Not related to skills or abilities
Do not need to answer
Be polite and professional when declining to answer
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Anticipate questions – prepare answers.
Be prepared with any questions that you may have for the interviewer about the position or the facility. Questions about salary and benefits are not appropriate in a first interview.
There are questions that you are not obligated to answer. These questions refer to age, race, sexual orientation, marital status, or number of children.
They have nothing to do with your skills or abilities.
If you are asked an inappropriate question during an interview, be polite and remain professional in declining to answer.

45. Reasons for Not Being Hired
Poor appearance
Acting like a know-it-all
Poor communication
Lack of planning
Lack of confidence or poise
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Poor appearance, not being dressed properly, and being poorly groomed.
Not communicating clearly, as well as poor voice, diction, and grammar.
Lack of planning for the interview, with no purpose or goals communicated.

46. 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
No interest for the job
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.

47. Reasons for Not Being Hired (cont.)
Objectionable content on social networking sites
Only interested in salary
Inappropriate voic greeting
Unwilling to begin in entry-level position
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.

48. Reasons for Not Being Hired (cont.)
Making excuses for unfavorable record
No tact
No maturity
No curiosity about the job
Critical of past employers
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.

49. Salary Negotiations Salary ranges Geographic location
Medical specialty
Experience
Credentialing
Job description
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.

50. Salary Negotiations Determine income needed
Prepare a budget
Negotiating benchmark
Employer should bring up salary
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
As a new graduate, you will begin your career as an entry-level medical assistant. As you gain experience, your compensation will reflect that.
The first step in determining your compensation needs is to determine what income is required to meet your living expenses.
Prepare a budget by keeping track of your overall expenditures and living expenses.
Once your budget is established, you have a negotiating benchmark.
Employers will often ask you what you are looking for with regard to salary.
The best response to this question is to ask the employer the range of the position.
Once you know the range, quote a little higher than what your budgetary amount is, which will give the employer room to negotiate down if necessary.
Allow the employer to bring up salary first.

51. Apply Your Knowledge Correct!
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.
Learning Outcome: Explain key factors for a successful interview.
Correct!

52. On the Job Learn to be an effective employee
Identify skills of daily duties
Stay competitive and marketable
Integrate constructive criticism
Job description – expectations and duties
Learning Outcomes: 58.5 Describe ways of becoming a successful employee.
Once you have a job, you must learn how to be an effective employee.
Identify the important skills in your daily duties
Stay competitive and marketable through continuing education
Integrate constructive criticism from your employee evaluations into your daily work and annual goals.
Job Description – provides the standard benchmarks of your position.

53. On the Job (cont.) Employee evaluations
After probationary period and annually
Describes performance
Evaluates strengths and weaknesses
Placed in official employment record
Learning Outcomes: 58.5 Describe ways of becoming a successful employee.
Employee Evaluations
An initial employment review generally occurs after a 90-day probationary period and then annually thereafter.
Checks the goals and values of both the employer and the employee to make sure they support each other.
May help determine whether an employee is worthy of a merit raise.
The quantity and quality of work are assessed on this form, as are initiative, judgment, and cooperation.

54. On the Job (cont.) Continuing education Set annual education goals
you will be required to obtain a specific number of continuing education units (CEUs) yearly
On the Job (cont.)
Continuing education
Set annual education goals
Required to maintain certification
Stay current in healthcare topics
Learning Outcomes: 58.5 Describe ways of becoming a successful employee.
The need for more highly specialized training presents you with an opportunity for growth in your education and career.
Stay up-to-date in topics about
Medicine
Health care
Wellness
Insurance products
Pharmaceuticals

55. Outstanding! 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!

56. In Summary
58.1 Students’ weekly progress sheets should reveal new goals each week and progress on previous weeks’ goals.
Their assessment and the preceptor’s assessments should be similar and show professionalism, willingness to learn, and continual progress throughout the applied training.
58.2 When seeking national certification, students should determine if they are eligible to take the certification exam, gather necessary documents, apply for the exam, and study and prepare to take the exam.

57. In Summary (cont.)
58.3 Students should be able to list classified advertisements available in local papers, employment websites, networking and employment agencies where employment assistance is available, and provide a workable, professional résumé that can be used to begin the employment search.
58.4 Students 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.

58. In Summary (cont.)
58.5 The keys to becoming a successful employee include: using the job description to provide benchmarks as performance standards; using employee evaluations to improve performance; and continuing self-education throughout your career.

59. End of Chapter 58 Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
~ Aristotle