If you are a recent graduate, landing your first medical assistant job can seem like a daunting prospect. Medical assisting is a competitive and rapidly growing field and you will almost certainly be going up against candidates who have significantly more experience than you. Not to worry! We have compiled a few tips that will help you stand out from the crowd and get your foot in the door of your first medical assistant job.
Get Certified
AAMA certification, while not required by most states, is one of the best ways to get your name on the short list of candidates for a medical assistant job. In order to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, you must complete a medical assistant training program through an accredited school. The average medical assistant program takes approximately 9 months to complete, though some can last as long as 2 years. They are offered at many colleges, universities, and technical schools across the country and you can even complete your training online.
If you would like to be placed in a medical assistant job within the United States, please fill out the form below or call us at 602-468-6300.
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Obtain an Externship
An externship is typically 160 hours of on-the-job training that is completed during the course of your medical assistant training program. You will spend most of your externship job-shadowing to get a clear idea of what is required of a medical assistant on a day-to-day basis.
Your externship is a golden opportunity to make professional connections and build a reputation for yourself that can lead to job opportunities once you have finished your training program. Make a good impression by letting them see your work ethic, enthusiasm for the job, and eagerness to learn. Those qualities often end up being far more valuable than experience.
For more information about medical assisting externships and how to obtain one, click here: http://medicalassistant.everestcollege.edu/medical-assistant-program/externship.
Prepare Your Resume & Ace the Interview
There are many different paths to becoming a medical assistant. A hiring manager might be unclear about how your experience and education are related to the job for which you’re applying. Because of this, use your resume and cover letter to clarify your specific training and why you would be a good fit for the position.
If you are lucky enough to land an interview, you will want to make a great impression. Show up early and present yourself in a professional manner. Make eye contact and exude confidence. A great way to boost your confidence is by practicing for the interview ahead of time. We have provided a list of common medical assistant interview questions and tips for answering them here: https://desmedcar.com/medical-assistant-interview-questions/.
If you would like to be placed in a medical assistant job within the United States, contact Desert Medical Careers at (602) 468-6300.
Are You Looking for a job as a Medical Assistant?
Desert Medical Careers has a high demand for clinical medical assistants and administrative medical assistants. We are typically able to easily place medical assistants in full-time and part-time positions throughout the Phoenix Metro Area. With over 20 years’ experience placing healthcare employees throughout the Valley, DMC is an expert at matching healthcare workers with their ideal work environment. Contact DMC today at (602) 468-6300.
Resources for this article
- http://www.onlinemedicalassistantprograms.net/how-to-become/
- http://www.medicalassistanttrainings.com/how-to-get-a-medical-assistant-job-with-no-experience/
- https://www.beyond.com/articles/landing-that-first-medical-assistant-job-12528-article.html
- https://theemedicalassistants.com/finding-a-medical-assisting-job-with-no-experience/
- https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/find-your-first-medical-assistant-job