Interesting Facts about Medical Assistants.

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Interesting Facts about Medical Assistants.

Ask yourself what you imagine a Medical Assistant does. You will be surprised how many people get it wrong! If you expect schooling for Medical Assisting to prepare you for changing bed pans or carrying out menial administrative tasks, your impression of this role doesn’t go deep enough.  The clinical medical assistant is a true chameleon of the healthcare industry. As a group, medical assistants demonstrate a range of talents that involves clinical as well as administrative tasks.

Medical Assistants Wear Many Hats.

Medical Assistant education requirements do not mention the need to be adaptable, but this is an important asset. Medical assistants wear many hats; they may be required to discuss medical records with a doctor one moment, then draw blood from a nervous patient the next moment. There are two languages used for each of these encounters: academic and emotional. A medical assistant knows that it’s just as important to care for a patient while blood samples are being taken as it is to be responsible for medical records and files. Busy and varied, this is an enthusiastic role that requires flexibility and commitment. Medical assistants have these qualities in spades.

Medical Assistants Play a Vital Role on Their Team.

A doctor needs an MA like a hamburger needs fries. Medical assistant classes prepare students for being one of the first faces a patient might see when arriving at a hospital or physician’s office.  The Medical assistant is responsible for checking the patient’s vital signs and preparing them for what happens next. Equally, a doctor is reliant on the information provided by the Medical assistant. The MA’s assistance in preparing the patient or clinic is essential for the doctor to be able to start work. In other occupations, you’ll see company directors who rely on their personal assistants to help make or break a deal, or professional athletes who count on their trainers to help them stay in the best shape possible. These types of professional duos take joint credit for their success stories. For healthcare professionals, the outcome can be life or death. Within the hospital or clinic, both roles are crucial for delivering seamless healthcare to patients.

They Have Hidden Talents Online and Off.

Medical assistants certainly don’t need to be computer geniuses, but there is no shortage of opportunities to utilize their tech skills. Now that patient records are electronic, healthcare workers are constantly brushing up on their IT knowledge as they go about their everyday work. MA jobs use computers for all kinds of routine tasks such as scheduling appointments, bookkeeping, or dealing with insurance companies. Use of technology means records are more accurate and the person using it saves a heap of time. In the past, manual entry of patient records was laborious and would slow down the process. Today with the use of electronic medical records, the process is much more streamlined. Some Medical assistants relish the use of technology to make work processes faster or more efficient, while others only use computerized systems and tools as required. Much of this kind of training can happen on the job. Using digital equipment becomes another part of the day-to-day activity, like complying with security measures or health and safety regulations. Becoming a Medical assistant can mean being as much a part of a digital world as it does to deliver face-to-face, practical and hands-on assistance.

Medical Assistants Are Everywhere!

Medical assistant programs prepare you for the role, but the job itself can be based anywhere, at any specialty. This is one of the most attractive features of working as an MA; working in hospitals, doctor’s offices, healthcare centers… Throughout the course of a career, it’s possible to try out different settings to find out which is the most enjoyable or challenging for you. Being able to move around easily can help with relocation issues or other practical considerations as well. Working in a large or busy hospital will offer a very different experience from working in a small family practice. For instance, in a hospital, the staff will interact with many different people at all level and from various walks of life. Working closely with the same group of people at a small doctor’s office lets you get to know your colleagues and patients better. Which setting is more appropriate will depend on the individual. Medical assistant courses, internships and networking along the way will help to provide a taste of what each place might have in store, but freedom to choose is a powerful motivator for job seekers.

Medical Assistants Have Options.

As a medical assistant, you may reach a fork in the road. Often, you can take the opportunity to specialize in areas you are passionate about; This may be a lifelong passion, or a growing interest discovered interning or in classes. When certified medical assistant training is over, however, you may be inspired by a colleague, an establishment, or general advancements in healthcare. If you still don’t feel you’ve found your niche, as an MA you can specialize in several different areas. Those who enjoy interaction with patients can move into patient care. For some individuals, clinical duties are more inspiring than clerical duties, but others may prefer keeping medical records or managing billing information.  For more hands-on assistants who are fascinated by drawing blood and visiting the lab, phlebotomy is a common choice.

They Set Their Own Schedule

Medical assistant schools’ welcome students from all backgrounds which makes this a popular career choice. You will be amazed at how diverse the range of motivations are that lead students to train for this career. Some students might be working towards a medical assistant certificate while juggling full-time work, family or other study. A young adult may have wanted to work in healthcare for as long as they can remember, and this becomes the first step in that process. A recent high school graduate could be training alongside a seasoned office worker who wants a completely new career.  The beauty of the Allen School of Health Sciences is our blended program of online and classroom learning. Our programs run both during the daytime and during the evening to accommodate every situation.

How Long Is Medical Assistant Training?

Medical assistant training does not take as long as you might think. The Allen School’s accelerated program will take less than a year to complete. Anyone in a Medical Assistant training program is working towards their dream job, so you know these students are determined to get that job.

The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

-Allen School

Expectations during a Medical Assistant Externship

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Expectations during a Medical Assistant Externship

Updated August 17, 2021

You can learn a lot in the classroom, but you can’t learn everything, especially if you are studying to be a medical assistant. It’s a job that requires extensive medical knowledge as well as skills and professional attributes that can only be gained through hands-on experience. At the Allen School of Health Sciences, as in most medical assistant programs, that comes in the form of an externship that is made up of 275 hours in a health care facility. We want to prepare our students for all aspects of the work.  As such, we have developed an outline of what to expect from your Medical Assistant externship.

Working under Supervision

Probably the greatest benefit of a medical assistant externship is the opportunity it provides to practice skills and duties while being supervised. In your classes, you’ll learn what and why medical assistants do what they do.  However, the moment you apply that knowledge in the real world with real patients, even the simplest tasks like taking blood pressure can be daunting. The good news is that you are not alone.

Your supervisor will work with you closely, especially at the beginning, to ensure you remember everything you’ve learned in class.  This will enable you to feel comfortable administering your duties. In addition to acting as a guide, of sorts, your supervisor may also serve as your safety net to ensure you don’t miss anything. This aspect of supervision can and should relieve a lot of pressure. It is common to feel nervous before you’ve gained your skill, practice, and habits, but a supervisor’s presence should assuage your fears.

You will also be able to observe her as well as others perform procedures that you will eventually do yourself. It’s one thing to read about medical assisting in a textbook and quite another to witness it in a working environment. The example your supervisor and others set will give you more opportunities to learn before you perform a task yourself.

Asking a Thousand Questions

Your medical assistant externship should be a time to unleash your curiosity. These 275 hours may be training hours, but they are also an opportunity to learn all aspects of a job from the professionals who are doing the job. In class, you will learn about best practices and may have already asked why different medical procedures are done a certain way. In your externship, you can ask less technical questions such as “How do you help nervous patients calm down?” and “Why do we put away the files like this?”

Asking questions that interest you will make all aspects of the work more personalized and will help the answers stick.

Learning the Role

A major part of the job is all about communication. The authority with which you carry yourself and the empathy you bring to patient interactions can’t be taught in a lecture. They are skills, critical to the position, that you can only learn in your medical assistant externship and you will learn them. As you practice and watch the professionals around you, you’ll understand the interpersonal aspects of the work and you will excel at them. When you begin your externship, you may feel like a student. Ideally, by the time you leave, you can expect to feel like you fit the role of a medical assistant.

Gaining Confidence

At the end of your externship you can expect to feel confident in your abilities to be a medical assistant. Self-confidence is a huge part of any healthcare job.  This can be challenging for educators as it cannot be learned in a textbook or seminar. Gaining confidence in your ability to perform administrative and clinical duties requires practice, real-life experience, and supportive supervision. It requires, in other words, an externship.  You won’t just learn how to be a medical assistant: You will become one.

At the Allen School of Health Sciences, we are committed to preparing our medical assistant students for employment as soon as they graduate.  This is the reason why externships are such a critical component of our curriculum. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, you can earn your certificate in less than a year. We are enrolling now for our summer classes.  As always, we would love to hear from you!  Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more about an exciting career as a medical assistant.

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25 Fascinating Facts About the Health Sciences

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Learning about the breakthroughs and discoveries of the health and sciences field can hold one’s attention for hours at a time. It can seem like there is no limit to the number of interesting facts that health-science researchers and scientists have compiled throughout history. This is one of the major reasons The Allen School has passionately taught health science for over 60 years. Let these fun and incredible facts stoke your interest and deepen your knowledge in the study of the health sciences.

Interesting Facts About Health Sciences:

  1. The Hippocratic Oath, which still unites doctors around the world to a common ethical code, was written over 2,000 years ago. (Source: “Hippocratic Oath.” Encyclopedia Britannica, edited by Adam Augustyn.)
  2. Myofascia – like that tough casing around a steak – is found in and around all tissues of the human body, and it adapts to the particular musculoskeletal movements unique to each person. (Source: Cleveland Clinic.)
  3. Now cliché, the slogan “You are what you eat” achieved widespread popularity after a 1923 beef advertisement, which claimed: “Ninety percent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs. You are what you eat.” (Source: Martin, Gary. “You are what you eat.” The Phrase Finder.)
  4. Everyone knows that the rich green color of most plant life is due to chlorophyll. What is not widely known is that its molecular structure is almost identical to the hemoglobin contained in the blood. (Source: Oregon State University.)
  5. The vagus nerve, which plays an integral role in regulating the entire nervous system, connects to every organ of the human body except the adrenals. (Source: Dr. Mark Sircus.)
  6. A study reviewed by the NIH proved that slow, deep breathing reduces one’s heart rate, increases vigor, boosts alpha brain waves, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. (Source: Zaccaro, Andrea et al [2018]. How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life […]. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.)
  7. As far back as the early 1930s, scientists working for John Hopkins University were able to clearly see and identify living microscopic organisms even smaller than bacteria by using extremely advanced microscope technology. (Source: Johnson, Hal. “Newest Microscope Will Trail Unknown Germs to Their Lairs.” San Diego Union, Dec. 12, 1931.)
  8. During experiments aimed at discovering what was responsible for slowed decay rates in certain plant tissues, Nobel Laureate Albert Szent-Gyorgyi conclusively identified what we now know as vitamin C. (Source: Science History Institute.)
  9. In the mid-1800s, people ridiculed the suggestion by Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis to wash one’s hands before delivering childbirth or conducting surgery. (Source: The Washington Post.)
  10. The electromagnetic field of the human heart is over 100 times more powerful than the brain and can be detected by magnetometers up to three feet away. (Source: “Science of the Heart.” 2022. HearthMath Institute.)
  11. A study concluded that “self-awareness” and “targeting emotional processes” (e.g., journaling) significantly reduced pain and improved the physical functioning of patients suffering from chronic pain. (Source: Hsu, Michael C., MD et al [2010]. “Sustained Pain Reduction Through Affective Self-awareness in Fibromyalgia […].” Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25, 1064–1070.)
  12. Spending at least two hours in nature per week creates health improvements comparable to meeting common exercise guidelines as well as overcoming socioeconomic barriers to health. (Source: White, Matthew P. et al [2019]. “Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.” Scientific Reports, 9 [Article no. 7730].)
  13. The Medical Assistant field was officially recognized in 1956 with the founding of the American Association of Medical Assistants. (Source: American Association of Medical Assistants.)
  14.  Since 1961, The Allen School of Health Sciences has assisted and trained thousands of people for their new careers in healthcare. Learn more at one of our Allen School of Health Sciences campuses.
  15. The human body generates approximately 3.8 million new cells every… single… second! (Source: Starr, Michelle. “Your Body Makes 3.8 Million Cells Every Second […].” 2021. ScienceAlert.com.)
  16. Laughter has been repeatedly proven to stimulate organs, relieve stress, and improve immunity. (Source: Mayo Clinic.)
  17. Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph system doesn’t have a constantly pulsing network of tubes to keep it moving. The body’s solution? Movement! Exercise stimulates lymph nodes, drains cellular waste products, and enhances natural immunity. (Source: MD Anderson)
  18. Fingernails grow faster on one’s dominant hand. (Source: American Academy of Dermatology Association.)
  19. A study on how taking photos affects memory suggests that taking a picture of something actually reduces one’s memory for it. (Source: Soares, Julia S. & Storm, Benjamin C. [2018]. Forget in a Flash […], Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 7(1), 154-160.)
  20. Yarrow and mallow were some of the earliest known medicines, used as far back as 60,000 years ago to heal internal and external surface barriers of the body. Today, people use them for the same reasons. (Source: Applequist, Wendy L. & Moerman, Daniel E. [2011]. “Yarrow […]: A Neglected Panacea? […].” Economic Botany, 65(2), 209-225.)
  21. Knowledge and use of medicinal mushrooms go back thousands of years. Even the 5,300-year-old Ice Man “Ötzi” had finely preserved mushroom specimens tucked in his pouch. (Source: Stamets, Paul E. et al [2018]. “Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees.” Scientific Reports 8 [Article no. 13936].)
  22. Mycoremediation – the use of fungi with toxin-remediating properties – is becoming a popular method for quickly breaking down environmental pollutants and improving public health. (Source: Permaculture Magazine.)
  23. Legacy pollutants continue to be phased out of modern industrial use since lead was removed from paint in 1978 and from gasoline in 1995 – making our environment a safer and healthier place. (Source: Department of Ecology State of Washington)
  24. The next time you feel a sneeze coming on when you don’t have a tissue, simply rub the middle of your forehead up and down. It has a mitigating effect on the sneeze reflex.
  25. When sprouted, seeds and nuts boast higher levels of nutrients, reduced digestion-inhibiting anti-nutrients, and increased levels of enzymes that aid in digestion. (Source: SFGATE.)
  26. The placebo effect is getting measurably stronger over time. (Source: Tuttle, Alexander H. et al [2015]. “Increasing placebo responses over time […].” The Journal for the International Association for the Study of Pain, 156(12), 2616-2626.)

Learn More at Allen School of Health Sciences

Ready to start learning more about the health sciences? Working towards a new career? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for classes starting soon. We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Medical Assistant Interview Tips from Allen School Phoenix

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Interviewing can make even the most confident of professionals nervous. It is a natural part of the interview process, and in fact, employers in Phoenix understand you will be nervous because it shows that you are really interested in the opportunity. Here are some easy ways to ensure your interview anxiety will not affect your interview!

Be Prepared

Proper preparation prevents poor performance! Proper research before an interview is one of the most important steps in your preparation. Researching the company, job opportunity available, and other key factors about the position will allow you to anticipate questions you may get on the interview and tailor your answers to the company you are interviewing with, which will make a strong impression on the hiring manager. Where can you look? Check out the company’s website if one is available, talk to other employees that work there already, read recent industry related information about the specialty of the doctor. There are a lot of suitable places in Phoenix to get information very easily.

What is the worst that could happen?

Sometimes just thinking of the worst possible outcome, and realizing it is not all that bad, will allow you to relax a bit when you go into the interview. Realizing that even if you don’t get the job, you can continue to apply for additional opportunities, may make you realize that if your nerves get the best of you, you can learn from your mistakes and do better the next interview.

Breathe

Deep breaths are a wonderful way to vanquish negative feelings and return to the present moment. Taking just 30 deep breaths will change your shallow and nervous breaths into long confident ones.

Positive Visualization

Visualizing the potential positive outcomes of your situation may make you more confident and comfortable with handling that situation. Think about how you will feel if you leave that interview knowing that you answered all the questions as well as you could!

Are you ready to start working toward a career in healthcare? Contact the Allen School Phoenix Campus today! We are enrolling now for classes starting soon and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School Family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Article updated July 2024

Helpful Tips to Becoming a Better Medical Assistant

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For students in a Medical Assistant program, you may be busy learning about the clinical aspects of the job which can include drawing blood, administering an injection, or taking a patient’s vital signs. These are clearly a very important part of your training but in addition, there are “soft skills” that are important to your training as well. Learning to be a reliable employee is a skill that can be used throughout your entire career. Try these tips for getting a strong start in your new career.

1. Be an Early Bird

Plan to arrive at work 10 to 15 minutes early every day. You will need this time to put your belongings away and get ready for your workday. This gives you time to review the list of patients who are scheduled and to check on the day’s supplies. It helps you avoid the feeling of having to “hit the ground running” the minute you step in the door. By arriving early, you can start off your workday feeling calm and organized.

2. Stay Positive

Work is called “work” for a reason; it’s hard work! Every day there may be tasks that you don’t enjoy, changes that you weren’t expecting, or problems that arise. Rather than griping or complaining, take a positive approach! Remember that handling problems is simply part of the job. Try to focus on the parts of the job that you do enjoy rather than the negative aspects. With a positive attitude, you will find that you inspire the others around you.

3. Carry Your Own Weight

As a Medical Assistant, you will be part of a healthcare team in a medical office or a hospital setting. Others on your team might include nurses, office staff, physicians, and fellow Medical Assistants. Each of these people are counting on you to do your job. If you shirk your responsibilities, then someone else will have to pick up your slack. Make sure you take your responsibilities seriously and put forth your best effort to fulfill your duties. As a team member, you should also be proactive. If you see a need that isn’t being fulfilled, see where you can help. This kind of approach helps make you a valuable member of your team.

4. Be Respectful to Anyone and Everyone

Medical offices and hospitals are busy places. In the course of serving patients throughout the day, healthcare professionals can get stressed and hurried. Despite this, try to stay polite and respectful to everyone throughout the day. Showing respect to others will result in receiving their respect in return. This includes everyone you work with from the newest employees to the head honchos. Most of all, this includes patients; even those who may test your patience. Being a respectful person is a career skill that should stay with you for your entire career.

5. Keep up with Your Education

In a field like Medical Assisting, you need to be sure to keep your skill sharp. New technologies and medications are always arising, and you want to be sure to stay on the cutting edge. Be sure to attend continuing education classes, join a professional association and read their newsletters and blogs regularly. Having up-to-date knowledge of your career field is something that you can be proud of and something that others will respect.

Following these tips is a way to “go the extra mile” as a Medical Assistant. If you follow these guidelines, you can improve your approach to your work. What’s more, the better you perform on the job, the better you will feel about your career.

At the Allen School of Health Sciences, we are devoted to fostering the necessary positivity, empathy, professionalism, and integrity in future medical assistants. The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

-Allen School

Going back to school as a working adult in Phoenix Arizona.

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The Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix Campus offers a program oriented toward working adults. People frequently enroll in schools to acquire new skills for a new career. Our Allen School – Phoenix campus has a fast-track program with a blended format of online and hands on learning in a clinical setting making it easier and more convenient for working adults to finish school. Enrolling in the Allen school is a great way to make a career transition, learn new skills, study subjects of personal interest, and enhance marketability in a competitive Phoenix job market. Unfortunately, many would be students who desire to position themselves for a career change or return to school do not do so because of fear.

The First Step is Admitting It

The following concerns and fears are shared by many working adults in Phoenix. Working adults are concerned about the cost of returning to school, the time commitment involved, and the challenges of attending classes with younger students. Many are also concerned that their employers will be unimpressed with their new career. However, most working adults enrolling in school, end up fitting in well and are more than up to the challenge of returning to school as an adult. They usually enroll with fear and concern, only to later realize that their fear and concerned were unfounded.

I’m Afraid It Will Be Too Expensive

It can be expensive returning to school. The expense alone is enough to cause many working adults to reconsider their decision to return to school. However, when education viewed as an investment, the costs of attending school does not seem as large of a sacrifice. It’s best to have a long term rather than short term perspective. At the Allen School -Phoenix Campus, we are here to provide you support and guidance on the financial aid process. We have a dedicated team for you and your family, so we can assist in completing the financial aid process. Financial aid is for those students who qualify. Before deciding against returning to school based on the cost, consider how earning your certificate or getting advanced training will help you in your new career.

I’m Afraid It Will Take Up Too Much Time

It’s reasonable for adult students to feel overwhelmed with their current responsibilities. As a result, returning to school can be that much more intimidating. Working full-time, raising a family, and fulfilling other responsibilities are enough to occupy already full schedules.

However, it’s possible to make time to return to school–and many adults do it quite successfully. It may require sacrificing time spent enjoying leisurely activities, but it is possible to make the time. If you set a goal and have unwavering commitment to reach it, you can develop the ability to make sacrifices that will allow you to accomplish your educational objectives.

I’m Afraid It Will Take Forever to Complete My Program

The Allen School offers an accelerated learning program. As a result, this program requires less time than would be required if one pursued their education the traditional way. Our fast-track program can be completed in less than a year.

It may seem intimidating and daunting to enroll in school, but this should not be a reason for missing out on the benefits of acquiring more education and a new career. Adults who simply put together a good, workable plan can smoothly make the transition back to school and make the experience a great success. Ready to start a Medical Assistant Program? Contact the Allen School Phoenix Campus today! We are enrolling now for our classes starting soon and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Support for Single Parents Returning to School in Phoenix

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We’re impressed when we hear about single parents in Phoenix returning to school on top of everything else, they have going on! Getting an education isn’t just important for you, it’s crucial for your kids, too. We often hear from single parents in school who are:

  • Working full-time and going to school during the day or at night
  • Completing intensive internships on top of their jobs
  • Returning to school as ‘older’ students to earn or finish their program.

Congratulations to all of you! We know how frantic everyday life can get; working and parenting can be overwhelming. We also know that returning to school is one of the best ways to gain new skills and move ahead. If you’re a single parent in school or consider returning to school, here are our tips for success:

 Write Down Your Goals

Make your goals specific. For example, “I will have taken all my required courses by the fall “or “I will take an accelerated program with internship before the end of the year.” “I will attend every optional study session offered, even if it is scheduled on Friday afternoon.” Make a contract with yourself and sign your name. Promise yourself to move ahead with a well thought out plan.

Get Organized

 Do not think you can plop your school stuff down on the kitchen table every night. Find a shelf, box, or file cabinet in which to keep your school materials. The kitchen table can certainly turn into your ‘school desk’ at night, but you need a defined, organized place to keep everything, otherwise, valuable study time is wasted on looking for misplaced things, or items the children somehow managed to ‘borrow.’

Don’t Procrastinate

Single moms or dads in school in Arizona do not have the option to procrastinate. What winds up happening is that you’ll put off an important school paper but then something will come up with a child that will take time away from you from getting that paper done on time. The best way to manage the inevitable stresses of juggling multiple responsibilities as a single parent in school is to prioritize and NOT procrastinate. When your assignments are completed, you can enjoy guilt-free time away from the pressures of school.

Learn to Say ‘No’

When returning to school, you must learn to say no to demands that do not help you to either progress in your studies or personally benefit you or your children. Lots of us have trouble saying no. If this is difficult for you, keep a tangible reminder, like a picture of a vacation spot you’d like to visit, to remind yourself that once you complete your program you will have the opportunity for a better life with increased income, and career advancement.

 Now, we’d love to know:

If you want to start a career as a Medical Assistant or learn about a career in health care, Contact the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus today! The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering our accelerated blended program of online and hands-on campus learning in a clinical setting. We are enrolling now for our classes starting soon. We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-ALLEN SCHOOL

Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant in Phoenix

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Medical assisting in Phoenix Arizona is not just a job; it’s a highly rewarding profession with a diverse array of roles and responsibilities. A day in the life of a Medical Assistant is difficult to pinpoint because your day-to-day activities may vary depending on what type of practice you work for or department you work in. No matter where you work, however, it is super important to have attention to detail, professionalism, and compassion. If you work primarily at the front desk, you’ll be responsible for answering the office’s phone system and using medical questions to determine the severity of the caller’s problem. You also are tasked with informing the physician about patient concerns, scheduling appointments, and greeting patients as they enter the office. Medical Assistants in Arizona should demonstrate professionalism and tact when interacting with patients and follow protocol for determining a patient’s immediate needs.

Attention to detail is also extremely important in the front office. In addition to your reception duties, you will also need to obtain patients’ insurance information, collect insurance co-payments, verify patients’ addresses and phone numbers, update and maintain HIPAA authorizations and call insurance companies for pre-authorization and pre-certification approval for testing or surgeries. Mistakes can be costly for both the practice and the patient, so it’s critical that you are thorough and meticulous in completing these tasks.

If you work in the back office, you’ll have an even greater opportunity to interact with patients and may even assist the physician in treating patients. On a typical day, you could help collect patients’ vital signs such as their blood pressure, pulse, respirations, height and weight. You would also be responsible for obtaining the patient’s medical history and determining their chief complaint (the reason why he or she is in the office) so that you can brief the physician.

Other duties might include performing visual acuity testing, ear irrigations, hearing tests, and setting up the exam room for a procedure. Sometimes you might be able to assist the physician with minor surgical procedures, such as inserting or removing sutures. Medical Assistants in Phoenix, Arizona play an important role in making a patient feel comfortable during an appointment. Often, they can help reduce a patient’s anxiety about an upcoming procedure by relaying information from the physician in terms that the patient can understand. It’s important to have a good bedside manner and a calm demeanor when dealing directly with patients. Finally, some Medical Assistants in Phoenix might be responsible for performing in-house laboratory procedures. These include drawing blood, urinalysis, throat cultures, pregnancy tests, drug screens, EKGs and much more. Attention to detail is important here as well because an error could cause a misdiagnosis.

Regardless of their role, Medical Assistants in Phoenix Arizona serve an essential function for the healthcare team. From the front office to the lab, they contribute to the success of the practice and ensure that patients have a good experience during their visit.

If you want to start a career as a Medical Assistant or learn about a career in health care, Contact the Allen School today! The Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus is offering our blended program of online and hands-on classroom training in a clinical setting. We are enrolling for classes starting soon. We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family.

Contact Allen School today​ to learn more.

Medical Assisting at the Allen School of Health Sciences Arizona Campus: A Career to go Places!

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The American Association of Medical Assistants describes a Medical Assistant as someone who works alongside doctors, usually in a clinical or office setting (https://www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/what-is-a-medical-assistant). Though the description may seem similar to that of a nurse, there are some key differences. A Medical Assistant commonly handles tasks such as checking vital signs and showing patients to their rooms along with various other administrative duties. A licensed practical nurse, on the other hand, provides basic care measures like catheterization and prescription administration. While Medical Assistants often work in clinics and ambulatory care, licensed nurses more commonly work in settings like nursing homes and hospitals. Here are some other perks of being an MA:

Start Working Sooner!

Medical Assistants can begin working in the healthcare field sooner than students who attend nursing programs at four-year universities. At the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus, our accelerated program allows you to graduate in less than a year. Our MA program includes an internship which is 11 weeks and provides our students with 275 hours of clinical-based training. Having an internship as part of your Medical Assistant program can really help with future job prospects.

Medical Assistant grads of the Allen School Phoenix campus graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the healthcare industry. They are trained in both clinical and administrative tasks that are critical to running an office or clinic.

Diverse On-the-Job Experiences 

With a vast array of skills at their disposal, Medical Assistants can explore different areas of medicine and discover what they are passionate about. Medical Assistants can perform many different tasks needed to keep the clinic or office open in addition to treating patients. Their versatility also ensures they will not be bored on the job because there is always something they can do. Additionally, the patients and what they are seeking to be treated for each day vary. Every day on the job is different than the one before.

Helping People

An MA helps physicians run their offices, but they also provide patients with compassion and understanding while doing so. Like their fellow healthcare professionals, Medical Assistants take satisfaction in knowing they are helping patients and changing their lives for the better.

Will it be easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely! The Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix Campus offers the essential resources medical assisting students need to excel in the classroom, in their externships, and in the workforce to help care for patients. The Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix campus is offering virtual and in-person campus tours for enrollment for our Medical Assistant program. Classes start soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family.

-Allen School

Article updated July 2024

Successful Medical Assistant Internships in Phoenix, Arizona:

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As an internship student in Phoenix Arizona, you are expected to use the knowledge you’ve gained from your training program, at the medical facility site that you are placed. An internship is the hands-on learning portion of your education, so you’ll get to learn additional skills here, as well as improve the ones you’ve learned in school! It’s very important to be a team player and to have proper interpersonal skills, as these will go a long way at your internship! Here are some other important skills to carry out on your intern site:

Concentrate on your appearance.

Dress professionally. You should wear proper work attire because all Medical Assistants in Phoenix Arizona are expected to maintain a clean, tidy, and professional look.

Understand the rules and guiding principles.

When you step into an internship program in an Arizona medical facility, you are considered a ‘visitor’ there. You will be expected to follow the policies of the facility, along with the other staff members, so it’s a good idea to read and understand the workplace policy manual thoroughly. It’s also important to take notes and consider your internship a hands-on job interview.

Be dependable and punctual.

A Medical Assistant internship in Phoenix provides you with a great opportunity to establish your reliability, loyalty, and competencies as a Medical Assistant. Promptness and timeliness are the best indicators that establish your dependability. It is important to be punctual, enthusiastic and prepared to help out with any front office duties.  At times you will be expected to answer the phone, handle administrative tasks, and assist the medical team with additional job duties.

Follow instructions carefully.

During the first few days of your internship, you will be treated in the same way as a new employee. You will be given simple duties in the first few days to assess your abilities, to see how well you follow straightforward directions and perform tasks. Your day-to-day responsibilities, tasks and duties will increase as the internship program moves forward.

Resolve issues in a professional approach.

If you come across a difficult situation on your internship site, contact Career Service or your Admissions Advisors at the Allen School of Health Sciences- Phoenix campus; We are here to support you. On your site, you will encounter all types of people and you will learn the appropriate ways to handle all conflict. Always remember that your Career Service and Admission Advisors are there to guide you toward a successful internship!

Maintain confidentiality.

 Keep in mind, privacy is expected from all students at their internship site. You should never discuss any personal patient information outside of the medical office.

Don’t forget to convey your thanks.

 Make sure to send a ‘Thank you’ letter to you intern site, for giving you an opportunity to accomplish your internship at their medical facility. This will create a great networking opportunity for you in the future.

To learn more about our health care program and internships, contact the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix campus today! At the Allen School of Health Sciences, we are devoted to fostering positivity, empathy, professionalism, and integrity in our future graduates. The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering our accelerated blended program of online and hands on classroom learning in a clinical setting. We are enrolling now for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

-Allen School