A medical assistant externship is a hands-on training experience in which students shadow professional medical assistants and gain real-world experience fulfilling administrative and clinical duties in a healthcare setting and receiving direct feedback from seasoned mentors. Many medical credentialing organizations require students to complete an externship before they can sit for the certification exam, including for the Certified Medical Assistant examination (AAMA)®.
Externships are typically provided throughout a medical assistant program to ensure students are gaining practical skills along with medical knowledge and theory. Some students even receive job offers from the healthcare facility where they complete their externships once they’ve earned their CMA certification, as the externship gives employers a first-hand perspective into their skills and work ethic.
At St. Louis College of Health Careers, we help place our students in rigorous externships that will give them the real-world exposure they need to prepare them for their professional role after graduation and certification. Our instructors prioritize balancing knowledge with hands-on training and experience to ensure students are equipped with both before graduating.
Internship vs. Externship
Externships are not internships. Internships last over several months to a year and usually focus on fulfilling specific duties in-depth. They’re typically more integrated within the team than those in an externship and are occasionally paid for their work. Externships may be shorter but are highly focused on learning opportunities. Students in an externship are not so much taking on duties as they are shadowing working professionals, watching them work and assisting when asked. Unlike internships, externships usually aren’t paid because they’re typically formed as part of an agreement between hospitals or clinics and healthcare education schools to give their students high-quality training opportunities.
Although interns are given more autonomy with tasks, those in an externship have the benefit of witnessing a broader range of tasks and receiving continuous guidance as well as practical advice on the field and work available within it.
Internships may provide a more immersive work experience that’s comparable to a traditional job, but externships can give students an active learning experience, allowing them a peek at the career they’re training for and the opportunity to network with existing professionals.
What to Expect During an Externship
Students in an externship are expected to actively observe and participate, asking questions and requesting feedback in order to gain a deeper, real-world understanding of patient care. While participating in an externship, your clinical responsibilities may be limited due to your ongoing training and lack of certification.
You may still be expected to assist with administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and managing records as well as basic clinical tasks under strict supervision, including blood draws. Put simply, you should arrive at your externship ready to learn, give your undivided attention and do hands-on work when asked.
How to Find an Externship
Your school will set you up with an externship, although you may be able to choose between participating healthcare facilities. It’s important when picking a school to ensure they have a reputation for helping students find externships in reputable facilities that provide comprehensive training so you feel better prepared for your certification exam as well as a professional network that can open doors in the future.
St. Louis College of Health Careers will provide you with a rigorous education, extensive real-world experience and a robust network of relevant professionals, equipping you with everything you’ll need to land a well-paying medical assistant role after graduation and successful completion of the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
Receive an Esteemed Education You Can Rely Upon Your Entire Career in St. Louis, MO
You can advance toward your dream healthcare career with confidence by getting a strong education at St. Louis College of Health Careers. Our Medical Assistant diploma program is designed to thoroughly prepare you for your aspiring role so you can feel confident in your ability to excel in your new duties and become an in-demand asset.
Acquire an education that will mold you into a highly valuable teammate to your colleagues and healthcare provider to your patients. Call 866-529-2070 to learn more about our medical assistant program and start your application today.