Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not always required. Some medical assistants are trained on job, although this is becoming more and more less common than in past. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Because medial Assisting students must acquire both administrative skills, and competencies, and clinical skills and competencies prior volunteer experience in healthcare field, or working as a nurse assistant or home health aide can be very helpful.

Although there is no licensing for medical assistants, some States require them to take a test or a course before they can perform certain tasks, such as taking x-rays. Employers prefer to hire experienced workers or certified applicants who have passed a national examination, indicating that medical assistant meets certain standards of competence.

There is no easy recipe for making perfect medical assistant; in fact, it takes hard work, interest, uniqueness, and a dedication that comes from deep within. Some may think it all starts at medical office, where medical assistant works diligently, side by side with physician and other health care professionals, applying all skills learned. But this could not have been achieved without knowledge and willingness to share with others during your training. In other words: Your success begins in class room, and continues at work place! A typical curriculum usually includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

Some people aren't familiar with term externship. Your externship is final step of your medical assisting training. An externship has to do with YOU! It means you finally get a chance to put everything learned in classroom to use, dealing with actual patients and medical professionals in an actual medical office environment. Although many students have some apprehension about beginning externship, once there they find it to be a very rewarding experience.

Usually teaching staff where you receive your medical assisting training makes all necessary arrangements to set you up with a suitable externship site. Usually, a medical assisting education program must provide its students with an externship experience of at least 160 hours. The school has an already established contact list of possible externship sites. Sometimes you get to submit your "dream, or wish list" where you can name a couple offices or specialties that you would really love to do. At my school, for example, to be sent to attend to patient's needs at local medical center's day stay program, or dialysis was highly desired. The externship is an important part of transition from student to qualified medical assistant.

Shortly before it is time to begin externship, you may be asked to interview with physician or office manager at facility. Treat this interview exactly as if it were an actual job interview. Dress appropriately and professionally, and always take a resume, even if school has forwarded one to clinic. Compile a list of all addresses, telephone numbers, and names of supervisors and businesses you have previously worked for. Do not appear unprepared by having to ask for a phone book to look up information if asked to complete an application for employment. Once a good match is determined, a date will be set for externship to begin.

The externship is designed for several purposes. You expected to perform duties that were learned in school, as well as to learn and refine new skills that are taught by medical office staff. The ability to perform is important, but equally of value is your ability to be a good team member. You must use appropriate interpersonal skills, have a professional appearance, and display a good attitude. The externship gives you opportunity to prove your dependability. Attendance and punctuality are indicators of reliability and dependability. You must be willing to help with smaller duties, like pulling and filing patient's charts, and sometimes answer phones, as well as more critical ones, like assisting with patient intake and doing basic clinical procedures.