Chapter 5
Making the Most of Your Externship Experience
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The Externship: A Window of Opportunity
• Externship: period of time during which you work in a
medical office while still a student
• Occurs during final term in school after passing all other
required courses
• 60-240 hours
• Receive credit toward degree or certificate; not a paid
position
Learning Objective 5.1
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The Externship: A Window of Opportunity
• Benefits of an externship
– Can gain hands-on experience
– Helps test your knowledge
– Enables you to apply theories and procedures
learned in the classroom
– Can discover areas of medicine in which you might
be particularly interested
Learning Objective 5.1
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Arranging an Externship
• Clinical coordinator matches students to externship sites
• Meet with clinical coordinator to discuss details about
externship
• A preceptor is assigned to work with you at the
externship site
Learning Objective 5.1
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Types of Externship Facilities
• Family or general practice
– Wide range of skills
• Specialty practices
– Specific skills for particular field of medicine
Learning Objective 5.2
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General and Family Practices
• Primary care providers or internists
• Treat wide variety of complaints and illnesses
• Family practitioner usually treats newborns to adults
• General practitioner might only treat adult patients
Learning Objective 5.2
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General and Family Practices Externship
• Advantages
– Externship provides exposure to all types of
procedures
– Will widen your scope of skills and abilities
• Disadvantages
– May not have a chance to experience the procedures
and skills that are specific to a particular specialty
Learning Objective 5.2
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Specialty Practices
• Physicians focus on particular field of medicine
– Pediatricians
– Dermatologists
– Orthopedists
– Obstetricians
– Cardiologists
– Podiatrists
Learning Objective 5.2
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Specialty Practices Externship
• Advantages
– Provides experience in observing and performing
special examinations and procedures
– Might make medical assistant more desirable job
candidate
• Disadvantages
– May not experience broad range of procedures
Learning Objective 5.2
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Mentorship
• Preceptors
– Act as mentors during externship
– Provide valuable advice and insights
– Are willing to work with you and help you feel
comfortable
– Understand what you are going through
– Are there to help
Learning Objective 5.3
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Hands-On Experience
• Using technical skills
• Enhancing “soft skills”
• Useful for entering the medical assisting field
Learning Objective 5.3
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Using Your Technical Skills
• Take every opportunity to observe other health care
professionals performing basic medical procedures
• Ask questions if unsure about equipment or procedures
• Refer to flash cards or pocket guides containing step-bystep instructions for each procedure
• Perform allowable procedures involving needles or
syringes only under direct supervision
Learning Objective 5.3
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Enhancing Your “Soft Skills”
• Communication and customer service “people skills”
• Work with actual patients
• Learn to identify and accommodate patients’ needs
• Practice patience and sensitivity
• Be aware of body language: yours and the patient’s
• Remember personal medical experiences
• Talk to the person, not the problem
Learning Objective 5.3
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Skills Assessment
• Helps you understand where your strengths and
weaknesses lie
• Clinical coordinator evaluates progress during and after
completion of externship
• Self-evaluation form is also completed
Learning Objective 5.3
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Externship Benefits
• Provides hands-on experience
• Teaches you to work well with patients and coworkers
• Gives you opportunity to practice skills and learn from
trained professionals
• Provides you with constructive criticism to help you
improve and refine your skills
• Helps determine interest in a particular medical specialty
Learning Objective 5.3
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Applying Good Habits
• Prepare for the externship by doing many of the same
things that prepare you for class work
• Good classroom habits can apply to the externship
Learning Objective 5.4
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Applying Good Habits
• Manage your time wisely
– Leads to greater productivity
• Establish priorities
– Helps reduce stress
• Ask for help when needed
– Can lower stress level
– Helps you find solutions
Learning Objective 5.4
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Preparing for Your Externship
• Mental preparation
• Physical preparation
• Professional preparation
• Final details
Learning Objective 5.5
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Mental Preparation
• Avoid anxiety
– Take a time-out
– Be flexible
– Ask for help
– Use available resources
– Seek out new information
Learning Objective 5.5
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Mental Preparation
• Reduce stress
– Eliminate stressors
– Practice yoga
– Learn how to relax
– Take a walk
– Get a massage
– Exercise regularly
– Exercise your mind
– Take a bubble bath
– Learn to meditate
– Learn Tai Chi
Learning Objective 5.5
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Physical Preparation
• Benefits
– Increased efficiency and skillfulness
– Better memory retention
– Improved learning and mental activity
Learning Objective 5.5
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Physical Preparation
• Diet and exercise
– Eat a healthy, balanced diet
– Every little bit of exercise helps
– Choose an activity you enjoy
– Reduce caffeine intake
– Curb your sweet tooth
– Get your vitamins
Learning Objective 5.5
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Physical Preparation
• Proper rest
– Get at least eight hours of sleep every night
– Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
– Avoid caffeine for several hours before bedtime
– Listen to your body
Learning Objective 5.5
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Physical Preparation
• Vaccinations
– Hepatitis B
– MMR
– Chickenpox
• Most programs require
– Physical examination and serology profile
– Tuberculin skin test
Learning Objective 5.5
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Professional Preparation
• Time management
• Establishing priorities
• Help from family and friends
Learning Objective 5.5
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Professional Preparation
• Time management helps you
– Decrease stress and anxiety
– Organize and complete tasks to meet expectations
– Balance professional, personal, and social activities
– Keep on track toward completing externship and
working in the medical field
Learning Objective 5.5
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Professional Preparation
• Prioritizing
– Make a list to accomplish within a given time frame
– Be realistic
– Complete high-priority tasks first
– Delegate tasks or activities when possible
– Be flexible
– Simplify your life
Learning Objective 5.5
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Professional Preparation
• Enlist help from family and friends
– Let loved ones know when you’ll be busy
– Ask for help when you need it
– Reach out to others when you feel overwhelmed
Learning Objective 5.5
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Down to the Last Detail
• Final details to consider
– Transportation
– Child care services
– Coverage
– Financial support
Learning Objective 5.5
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Beginning Your Externship
• Learn interview techniques
• Make a good first impression
• Dress professionally and manage your appearance
• Maintain good attendance
• Keep a positive attitude
Learning Objective 5.6
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The Interview
• Guidelines for success
– Practice interviewing with family members or friends
– Rehearse what you might say in front of a mirror
– Remember to be polite
– Sell yourself
– Have a good grasp of your strengths and weaknesses
Learning Objective 5.6
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First Impressions
• Smile and greet others warmly
• Remember people’s names and use them
• Communicate your desire to help
• Display “open” body language
• Listen attentively and don’t interrupt
• Be sincere and honest
• Speak clearly and thoughtfully
Learning Objective 5.6
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Get to Know Your Preceptor
• Ask him how he prefers to be addressed
• Ask how your preceptor got into the field of medical
assisting, where he went to school, and positions he has
held
• Express interest in your tasks and ask the preceptor how
he handles challenging situations
Learning Objective 5.6
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Dressing for Success
• Looking your best promotes confidence and a positive
attitude
• Feeling confident encourages you to do a professional job
• A neat appearance gives the impression you take your
job seriously
• Ask your clinical coordinator or preceptor about office
dress code
Learning Objective 5.6
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Dressing for Success
• Helpful hints
– Wear freshly laundered and pressed clothing
– Avoid trendy or suggestive clothing
– Make sure clothing is in good condition
– Wear clean, appropriate shoes
– Check hosiery for runs and snags
– Keep hair clean and pulled back from face
Learning Objective 5.6
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Dressing for Success
• Helpful hints
– Keep makeup minimal and tastefully applied
– Avoid perfume and cologne
– Keep fingernails short
– Wear only minimal, tasteful jewelry
– Limit earrings to small studs
– Remove or conceal body jewelry and cover tattoos
Learning Objective 5.6
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Being There
• Attend all externship sessions
• Be reliable to the medical office staff
• Arrive a few minutes before scheduled sessions
• Plan transportation and have a backup plan
• Leave time for delays
• Set aside time before each shift to mentally prepare
• Notify all parties if you will be late or absent
Learning Objective 5.6
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Attitude is Everything
• Attitude is reflected in
– Performance of each task
– Your attendance
– Your appearance
• Professional success is more likely for students who
complete externship with a positive attitude
Learning Objective 5.6
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Completing Tasks During Externship
• Learning about the office
– Orientation
– The front office
– Office policies
– Safety procedures
Learning Objective 5.7
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Completing Tasks During Externship
• Orientation
– Mission statement or goals of medical facility
– Fire and safety policies
– Other emergency procedures
– Standard precautions
– Confidentiality rules
– Computer access and password assignment
Learning Objective 5.7
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Completing Tasks During Externship
• The front office
– Learn how to use unfamiliar equipment properly
– Learn filing system and how to handle patients’
medical information
– Seek out resources you’ll need to complete tasks
– Know procedures to use when answering telephone
Learning Objective 5.7
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Completing Tasks During Externship
• Office policies
– Set of general principles that must be followed
– Procedures are specific ways in which tasks should
be performed and are based on policies
– Know where policies and procedures manual is
located and refer to it often
Learning Objective 5.7
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Completing Tasks During Externship
• Safety procedures
– Follow office policies and procedures manual
– Keep germs at bay
– Avoid equipment injuries
– Avoid back injuries, chemical injuries, and injuries
from a fall
Learning Objective 5.7
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Interacting with Coworkers
• What’s the routine?
– Learn how the office runs on a daily basis
– Look, listen, and learn
• There is no “I” in team
– Work with the medical staff as a team
• Accountability
– For own actions and own learning; ask questions
Learning Objective 5.7
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Caring for Patients
• Know the equipment
– Be willing and flexible in learning new procedures for
operating equipment
– Follow appropriate office procedures to protect the
safety of yourself and patients
– Consult policy and procedure manual if unsure how
to operate a piece of equipment
Learning Objective 5.7
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Caring for Patients
• Maintain patient confidentiality
– HIPAA: the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
– HIPAA protects privacy, confidentiality, and security
of medical information
– Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in legal
action against the medical facility
Learning Objective 5.8
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Patient Privacy Practices
• Protect your computer password
• Log off computer when finished
• Keep patients’ charts closed when not in use
• Avoid leaving faxes and computer printouts unattended
Learning Objective 5.8
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Patient Privacy Practices
• Do not discuss patient information
• Don’t gossip about patients
• Keep your voice down when talking with the physician
• Don’t discuss patient information with other patients or
visitors
• Remove patient identifiers before handing in class work
Learning Objective 5.8
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