week 1 Career Development Lesson

Which questions would be appropriate for the medical assistant (MA) to ask at the end of the interview?

"Why is this position available?" "Who would I report to in this role?" "What would the training schedule look like?" The MA should ask why the position is available to learn information about the culture of the company. The MA should ask who he/she would be reporting to in this role. It may not be the person conducting the interview, and the MA should expect to meet the person who will be his/her supervisor before making a decision about the job. The MA should ask about a training schedule to determine if the clinic is well prepared to bring on a new MA at this time.

Approximately how many years of relevant work experience should be listed on a resume?

10 years Approximately 10 years of relevant work experience should be listed on the resume.

What time should the medical assistant (MA) arrive for the interview?

10-15 minutes early The MA should arrive for the interview 10-15 minutes early. Any earlier is inconvenient for the manager.

How many continuing education units (CEUs) are required every 5 years to remain certified as a CMA (AAMA)?

60 For individuals with the CMA (AAMA) certification, a minimum of 60 CEUs must be obtained every 5 years. Ten must be administrative in nature, 10 clinical, 10 general, and the remaining 30 can be from any of the three categories. Half of the CEUs must be earned from an AAMA-approved program. Individuals with the RMA credential must earn 30 CEUs every 3 years. The NHA requires 10 CEUs every 2 years.

Which are accrediting organizations?

ABHES CAAHEP The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools is an accrediting organization. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is an accrediting organization.

Which are ways for the medical assistant (MA) to earn continuing education units (CEUs)?

Attending an ethics lecture Watching a webinar on personal protective equipment (PPE) Attending a nutrition conference Becoming certified in phlebotomy Reading research journal articles Attending lectures on health care-related topics like ethics are an excellent way to stay current on topics and earn CEUs. Watching a webinar on PPE is a great way to earn CEUs and remain diligent about personal protection. Attending a nutrition conference will help the MA understand the role nutrition plays in health care and will also earn CEUs for the MA. If the MA earns additional health care certifications, those educational hours will count as CEUs. Research journal articles are helpful for the MA to stay current on the latest research, and reading them will also earn CEUs for the MA.

What are components of appropriate interview attire for a medical assistant (MA)?

Clean shoes Natural hair color Freshly laundered scrubs Shoes worn during the interview should be clinic appropriate and clean. The MA is allowed to color his or her hair, but only natural colors should be worn to an interview. Scrubs worn to an interview should be freshly laundered and pressed.

Which person who knows the medical assistant (MA) would be optimal for providing a good letter of recommendation?

Current supervisor Fellow Parent Teacher Association (PTA) volunteer Phlebotomy instructor A current or former supervisor would make an excellent candidate for a letter of recommendation or reference. A fellow volunteer would be able to provide valuable work ethic information in a letter of recommendation. An MA instructor would make an excellent candidate for writing a letter of recommendation.

Which pieces of information should be gathered while scheduling an interview?

Day and time Parking availability Name of person conducting interview The medical assistant (MA) should ask what day and time the interview will be held. The MA should ask where he or she should park when arriving for the interview. The MA should ask the name of the person who will be conducting the interview.

Which is a hands-on experience in a clinical setting?

Externship An externship is a hands-on experience in a real clinical setting, designed to help the student put his or her classroom skills to use.

Which section should be first on a chronological resume?

Header As the header lists the candidate's name and contact information, it should be listed first, with the candidate's name in bold or in font that is larger than the rest of the text.

Which are benefits of professional development for a medical assistant (MA)?

It can help the MA get a better job. It can teach the MA a new technique. The MA can learn to interact with patients more effectively. It refreshes knowledge learned in school. Having new skills learned through professional development will be helpful in the MA's job search. The MA can learn many new techniques, skills, and technology through attending professional development. Professional development can center around patient interactions, cultural sensitivity, and communication, and would be helpful for the MA. A goal of professional development is to ensure the MA does not forget any of the valuable information learned during the MA program.

If the medical assistant (MA) is not selected for the position but is still interested in working at that clinic, he or she should send what piece of follow-up documentation?

Loss letter A loss letter will let the hiring manager know the MA is still interested in the position and to keep him or her in mind if anything comes up in the future.

Which pieces of information should a medical assistant (MA) provide when prompted to "Tell me about yourself"?

Name Skills learned College attended Desire to use skills The MA should begin the response by providing his or her name. The MA should outline skills learned while attending the MA program. The MA should state which college he or she attended for the MA program. The MA should express a desire to use his or her MA skills. This will help the hiring manager view him or her more favorably.

Which pieces of information would be included on the resume about each educational institution attended by the medical assistant (MA)?

Name of the institution Dates of attendance Name of the institution is critical information and would be included in the education section. Dates of attendance is important information that should be included about each educational institution attended by the MA.

Which is required for the medical assistant (MA) to become certified?

Pass the credentialing examination. All students must pass a credentialing examination to become certified.

Which are components of a portfolio?

Resume Transcript Certificates of completion Letters of recommendation The resume is the most important component of the portfolio. Transcripts would be included in the portfolio, if the medical assistant has any. Certificates of completion are important components of the portfolio. Letters of recommendation are important components of the portfolio.

What is the goal of the resume?

To get an invitation to interview The purpose of the resume is to highlight the qualities of the candidate that would make the hiring manager want to interview the candidate.

What is the purpose of the cover letter?

To get the reader to read the resume The purpose of the cover letter is to get the hiring manager to read the resume.