| Every August hundreds of thousands of students | | | | behaviors that are consistent with being a professional. |
| head off to colleges around the country. Many of | | | | It is expected that students will respect themselves |
| these students will attend a traditional 4-year college | | | | and others, refrain from profanity, and dress according |
| while others will opt for a community college or a | | | | to their school's dress code. Students are encouraged |
| career college. Career colleges afford many students | | | | to demonstrate a strong work ethic, be punctual and |
| a more flexible schedule, smaller classes, hands-on | | | | attend all class. Professionalism starts on the first day |
| learning experiences and instructors who are active in | | | | of class and not after graduation. |
| the field. Medial Assisting is a popular career choice for | | | | 4. Complete an Externship- Externship requirements |
| many career college students and is expected to be a | | | | include students completing 160 hours of hands-on |
| fast growing health profession over the next few | | | | experience. The externship can be completed in |
| years. | | | | various settings such as a medical clinic or doctor's |
| Below are five success strategies Medical Assisting | | | | office. Most career colleges offer placement |
| students can use to help them have a successful | | | | assistance n finding an externship placement site. |
| academic and professional career. | | | | Students are expected to be punctual to their work |
| 1. Complete a Medical Assistant Diploma Program- | | | | site and complete assigned job duties as outlined by |
| Most diploma programs take on average eight months | | | | their externship supervisor. Although externship do not |
| to complete. Classes entail lectures, labs and computer | | | | pay, these experiences often open the door for |
| skills. Without formal completion of a diploma program | | | | permanent employment with a strong letter of |
| some certifying agencies will not allow certification until | | | | recommendation from the externship site supervisor. |
| five years of experience in the field is reached. | | | | 5. Certification- After completion of a diploma program, |
| 2. Specialized Medical Assistant Associate Degree- | | | | students are strongly encouraged get certified. The |
| Some colleges offer students the opportunity to | | | | National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and |
| further their education beyond the diploma program | | | | the American Medical Technologist (AMT) are the two |
| and receive an Associate of Science or Associate of | | | | main certification agencies. These certifications are |
| Applied Science in Medical Assisting. These programs | | | | mobile and recognized throughout the U.S. Exam fees |
| usually take two years to complete and coursework | | | | and requirements vary between these two agencies. |
| from the diploma program may be transferable. | | | | Copyright 2010 Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD. All Rights |
| 3. Professionalism- In addition to completing | | | | Reserved Worldwide in all Media. |
| coursework, students are highly encouraged to exhibit | | | | |