Enrollment into most Medical Assisting programs will include an externship. However, in some cases, it is optional. Even when it is not required, I highly suggest that students participate in the externship process, for it will be the only experience that you have as the Medical Assistant when you graduate. This information can be included in your resume, which is very valuable when looking for your first job.
Usually, a coordinator works with your College/University to partner with a variety of healthcare facilities in your local area. These facilities have agreed to provide volunteer/clinical externship opportunities. As part of the process you may be asked to provide certain information before the externship can begin. Below is a list of items that may be required:
This information is not always requested, but I would advise you to be prepared to gather these items in the event that the facility requests them from you.
Once you have agreed upon your externship, there are rules you must follow while on site. Each student must understand that the externship is voluntary. Typically, there is NO payment for the time they are at the site. All externship sites are contingent upon availability, scheduling, and staff needs of the facility.
Students are expected to provide their own transportation. Please remember that attendance and punctuality is important at the facilities. Each student agrees to comply with all facility policies including, but not limited to, the policy on professionalism, dress, uniform, and proper hygiene practices for a medical setting.
The externship facility is under no obligation to offer you employment (or any other employment benefit) at the conclusion of your volunteer/clinical externship experience. The student will be responsible for keeping track of the number of hours required for the externship.
Your coordinator will assign you to a site, generally no more than a 30-minute drive from your home, if possible. It is the coordinator’s responsibility to ensure that each student understands how the externship experience works. It is generally treated as a class, where the student is graded at their site. The coordinator will visit the site to make sure the experience is going well. All volunteer/externship assignments are final and remain at the discretion of the facility. Under no circumstance is the facility or your educational institution considered an employer during the externship.
I had the opportunity to work as a Program Coordinator/Externship Coordinator several years ago. It was a very rewarding experience. I performed these duties at several institutions. Each one had some differences but the outcome was the same and the same rules applied as explained above. Most institutions require that each student perform the externship due to grades being issued. There are a few schools that do not require an externship. I feel that it is important to perform the externship for the actual experience received.
Externship is very rewarding and it allows you to learn and see what actually goes on in the field. There are some facilities that do offer a position to the student and some that are not able to do so. I also tell my students to ask for a letter of reference for their time there and the office usually does. I have had many responses from offices that would state that they enjoyed the student and that they wish that they could hire them. Many of them would refer them to offices that were looking to hire as well.
While on externship, I ask my students to do their best work, take notes, be on time, be there when scheduled, and be professional. I also let them know that if they are late, do not call, or no show too many times there is the possibility that they could be terminated from the site. Unfortunately, this has happened, and there is nothing I as the coordinator can do. If this does happen, the student can be placed at another site when one becomes available or if it is a class, they will have failed the class if we cannot place them again. Be mindful of the task at hand by making sure that your forms are completed and turned in when they are due. Any delay in getting the paperwork in will possibly delay your start date.
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