As with any new employee, you may be given simpler duties on first few days of externship so that an evaluation can be made as to whether you can follow simple directions and work efficiently. However, duties and responsibilities should increase in importance as externship progresses. If not, you should speak with externship supervisor to determine if there is a reason why more responsibility is not being offered. It is important that you be able to accept constructive criticism and change any habits that might be unacceptable on externship site. Once people in charge of you are confident of your abilities to perform certain tasks, they will let you do them without asking, so, make it your goal to observe, learn all you can about unfamiliar procedures, and ultimately, perform certain tasks without being asked!

You must wear appropriate work attire, such as a uniform that identifies you as a student, or our own scrubs, wearing an identification badge. Medical assistants are expected to have a neat, clean, professional appearance. Do not gossip, complain, interrupt, or insist that office is performing a skill differently than you learned in school. You should not have excessive personal phone calls on site. If there are problems on externship, you should first speak to site supervisor, and if no resolution is obtained, school supervisor should be involved. You must learn to communicate with supervisors and not allow problems to go unresolved. You should not ask or expect physician to treat you or your family if an illness should occur during externship period. Do not expect or ask physician to dispense any medications from office. Also remember that confidentiality guidelines apply to externship student. No information regarding a patient should be discussed outside office for any reason.

By following professional guidelines and being willing to learn, you will find externship to be a positive learning experience. Remember, externship will in most cases be first job reference in medical field, so do a good job! Be sure to leave a few copies of your resume with externship office so that if job opportunities arise later, or if staff is aware of a position in another facility, they will be able to pass your resume along and assist you in job search process. It is acceptable to ask for a letter of reference from externship site supervisor or physician. Be sure to send externship office a "thank you" note for allowing externship in their facility. This makes a good impression and will express your appreciation for opportunity to learn in facility. By adhering to these suggestions, you will find externship experience to be one of great value.

Now, time has come to find a job! Good luck! ======================================

Danni R., CMA, CCMA, CMAA Founder/Owner/Web Site Maintenance: Advanced Medical Assistant of America http://www.certmedassistant.com Medical Assistant Net http://www.medicalassistant.net