. PREPARING FOR AN EXTERNSHIP OR A NEW JOB
Resume Notes to Remember197
Interview Notes to Remember198
Retaining Your Position199
Keys to a Successful Experience200
Orientation to the Facility201
Reviewing Skills203
Work Organization204
Personal Record Keeping204
RESUME NOTES TO REMEMBER
• Make sure that your resume is neat. Print on professional resume paper, and use quality envelopes to match.
• Include your name and credentials. Your address and telephone number should be listed, but do not include such personal information as marital status or number of children.
• Include relevant MA skills that indicate what your education has prepared you to do in the office setting.
• Make absolutely certain no typographical errors are in your resume. Using a computer processing spell check does not ensure that the resume is free of errors.
• Proofread your resume at least three times; have someone else proofread it as well.
• Send a cover letter with the resume if you are mailing it.
• If you are dropping off a resume to a potential employer, dress professionally. Do not go into an office dressed casually in jeans, Capri pants, or shorts, and do not bring family members with you. If the office has an opening, you might be invited to an interview on the spot.
• Be sure to have a professional sounding message on your home and cell telephones in case a potential employer tries to reach you.
INTERVIEW NOTES TO REMEMBER
• If invited to an interview, plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Being on time is a crucial first impression. Make sure you have directions to the interview location and that you allow adequate time to get there (i.e., build in time for traffic delays).
• Dress conservatively, and invest in a suit for interviews.
• If you have tattoos or body piercings, make sure they are covered. Limit jewelry that may be distracting during an interview.
• Be certain that your cell telephone is turned off when you arrive for the interview.
• Be prepared to listen; maintain eye contact and professional body language.
• After your interview, follow-up by sending a thank-you letter. If more than one person interviewed you, you may want to send more than one letter. Be sure to proofread the letter before you send it!
RETAINING YOUR POSITION
Attaining a position as an MA is only the beginning to ensuring a successful career. After graduating, you alone can determine your success. Up until this point, you have had the positive influence of your instructors and the support of your classmates. You can still contact those people you have grown to trust and depend on throughout your educational experience, but decisions you make as an MA are your own.
Pulling out your cell telephone to text a friend or making a personal telephone call while a patient waits for you to assist with his or her care will be your decision. This decision could ultimately cost you your job, but, more importantly, it will cost you the respect of the patients you care for and the respect of your co-workers.
Repetitive incidents of „rule breaking” or inattentiveness are a detriment to the performance of your job. You can perform every procedure and job function with 100% accuracy, but you can still lose your position for exhibiting behaviors that are unacceptable or unprofessional.
The following seven keys will help make your externship or new position a successful experience:
1. Be on time and attend regularly. The medical office relies on its personnel. Poor attendance or tardiness, especially early in the experience, is a message that you may be undependable.
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