Skills & Attributes of a Professional Medical Assistant

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Training to Become A Professional Medical Assistant; Skills & Attributes   Medical assistants are held to a higher standard of professionalism than employees in other industries. The way the medical assistant approaches the job and interacts with patients is critical to the success of the physician’s practice, hospitals, outpatient clinics and other healthcare facilities. Patients expect professional behavior and put trust and confidence in those who are professional in demeanor. There are a specific set of skills and attributes that shape a medical assistant into a professional.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Medical Assistant Professional Skills There are many skills that contribute to the professionalism of medical assistants. Medical assistants should work on being loyal, dependable, courteous, initiative driven, flexible, credible, confidential, and optimistic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Loyalty – medical assistants should be devoted to the success of the medical practice and hold the belief that being a medical assistant at the medical practice is in their best interest. Loyalty should be reciprocal and if a medical practice is offering equal pay for equal work, the medical assistant will feel like the medical practice is doing its best for them as well.  Medical assistants can go one step further and be committed to the medical practice if they support the employers’ strategy and objectives.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Dependability – a dependable medical assistant not only shows up for work on time but also produces consistent work. A medical assistant must follow through when the physician gives an order. The dependable medical assistant will also be counted on and given more responsibility.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Courtesy – the medical assistant should be friendly and kind to patients at the medical practice. Attention should be given to the patient as they arrive at the medical facility. The medical assistant should offer a warm smile and friendly attitude to the arriving patient.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Initiative – the medical assistant should be self-motivated and ambitious. Medical assistants that show initiative have a take charge attitude. The medical assistant should observe a need and make themselves available, rather than wait for a supervisor to direct them to an area that needs attention.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Flexibility – the medical assistant should have the willingness and ability to respond to changing situations and expectations. Flexible medical assistants will modify their approach to tasks based on the unique demands of each situation, especially in an emergency. In a medical facility the patient comes first, and every medical assistant should lend a hand where ever they are needed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Credibility – trust is a vital component of the medical assistant and patient relationship, and the credibility of the medical assistant should be strong. The information that is given to patients must be accurate as the patient may see medical assistants as an agent of the physician.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Confidentiality – Patients are entitled to privacy under the HIPAA act. Confidentiality extends to the home and other environments outside of the medical office. The medical assistant is prohibited from discussing confidential patient information to family and friends. Consequences will be enacted if the medical assistant breaches patient privacy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Medical Assistant Professional Attributes The medical assistant will need specific attributes to be a professional while working with colleagues and dealing with patients. These attributes include teamwork, time management, prioritization and goal setting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Teamwork – medical staff must work together for the benefit of the patient. The medical assistant should accept the tasks given to them by their supervisor unless they are illegal, unethical, or place patients in danger.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Time Management – the medical assistant should use their time efficiently and concentrate on the most important duties first. They should make a schedule, prioritizing tasks and allowing for emergencies along the way. The key to time management is prioritizing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Prioritizing – a form of triage should be used by the medical assistant to sort tasks into the must, should and could categories. Of course, the medical assistant needs to attend to emergencies, but they also must anticipate what will do the most good and in what order those tasks should be completed to benefit the most.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Setting Goals – if the medical assistant doesn’t set goals, they will never know when the goals have been achieved. Setting goals can also help the medical assistant accomplish what they want or need to each day, giving them more motivation to achieve those goals. Learning never ends as a medical assistant and that is what makes this career so rewarding. Interested in learning more about developing the skills and attributes of a medical assistant? Ready to start a Medical Assistant Program? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our summer classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.   -Allen School          

Different types of Medical Assistants

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Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. It will continue to experience rapid growth as America’s aging population increases in size, creating an even greater demand for healthcare services. This means that now is the perfect time to begin a career as a Medical Assistant.

There are several types of MA’s, all of which are vitally important to the healthcare teams they are a part of. An MA will work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to assist with patient care, handle administrative tasks, and complete clinical procedures. In many clinics and doctors’ offices, an MA is in charge of managing the office, which allows the physician to devote more time to providing top-quality patient care.

Employers set their own educational requirements for the Medical Assistants they hire. The standard is typically a minimum of one-two years of formal training at a technical or vocational school, resulting in a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.

Duties and Responsibilities of Medical Assistants

Although the duties of an MA may vary somewhat from one job to the next, they all work to keep doctors offices and clinics running smoothly. In all cases, an MA performs delegated to them with the goal of supporting the physician in providing the best possible patient care. In smaller practices, the MA may perform virtually all office and clinical tasks, but in larger practices, may have a specialized function, which may include managing other staff.

Types of Medical Assistants

There are three main types of Medical Assistants: Clinical, Administrative, and Specialized .

1. Clinical Medical Assistant

A clinical Medical Assistant’s primary focus is on patient care, conducting assessments, and performing other clinical tasks. This may include preparing patients for medical examinations, documenting vitals and medical histories, instructing patients on home care, performing minor treatments, and assisting the physician during examinations. While the job duties of a clinical MA are broad, the main focus will be on the clinical aspects of the practice.

2. Administrative Medical Assistant

Administrative Medical Assistants mostly perform administrative tasks such as managing patient records, making appointments, answering phones, maintaining the front desk and reception areas, and performing general accounting and billing. Administrative MAs play a pivotal role in physicians’ offices. They ensure that the business side of the practice operates smoothly to ensure minimal interruption to the physician’s core function of providing patient care. To be effective in this position, job candidates should have superb written and oral communication skills, proper phone etiquette, above average computer skills, and a basic understanding of medical terminology.

3. Specialized Medical Assistant

Specialized Medical Assistants perform specialized clinical tasks, since their specialized training allows them to work closely with physicians and serve patients more directly. Depending upon the size of the medical practice, specialized MAs may report directly to the physician, or to an administrative manager. The specific tasks will depend largely on their area of specialization, size of the practice, and the number of assistants on staff.

There are many specialized Medical Assistant certifications available through the Association of Medical Technologists. To receive certification, MAs must complete an accredited training program and pass the certification examination. In many cases, certified Medical Assistants earn higher wages and have better job opportunities than those without certification. Whether interested in a career as a Clinical, Administrative , or a Specialized Medical Assistant, this career promises ample employment opportunities, great earning potential, and a career that is both challenging and rewarding.

If you’re ready to pursue a successful career in the healthcare field and interested in learning more about developing the skills and attributes of a medical assistant. Contact the Allen School of Health Sciences Today! We are 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

Top Personal Qualities of a Medical Assistant

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Most of us have had the help and support of a Medical Assistant while visiting a hospital or a physician’s office and hopefully, the interaction was a pleasant one. It’s not just the information you learn, however, that ensures you will have the qualities of a Medical Assistant. To become successful in this field there are some basic qualities that a candidate should possess.

Communication Skills

Among the most important Medical Assistant qualities are communication skills, as these are the basic characteristics of this profession. An MA should listen to a patient explain their concerns without interruption. At the same time, however, they ask questions to guide them in explaining their concerns. There are some diplomatic ways to obtain the essential information from the patients in order to help the physician treat them efficiently. Communication skills also involve narrating the vital instructions to the patient, given by the Doctor. As an MA you should answer any questions the patient may have effectively and unmistakably; even if that means checking with the Doctor for the correct answer.

Compassion

Besides being a good listener, it is very important that a Medical Assistant is compassionate to their patients. An MA should try and understand the worries, concerns, and other emotional states of each patient by discussing with them. Interacting with each patient in a compassionate way will help them to feel more comfortable and relaxed at the time of their health assessment.

Stress Management

A physician’s office or a hospital can be full of patient activity. At times this can make a Medical Assistant feel quite stressed. As an MA you will have a lot of administrative and clinical duties to perform each day on top of a busy waiting room and patients’ questions. Occasionally these work-related stresses can contribute to confusion and anxiety so it becomes your responsibility not to let that spill onto your patients. An MA should have the capability to overcome daily stress levels professionally and figure out the best way to handle any stressful situations that arise.

Reliable

A Medical Assistant is expected to be a reliable person. The physician, healthcare group associates, and the incoming patients depend on the Medical Assistant to relay the correct information and perform each task correctly. For those reasons, a Medical Assistant should be punctual, career-focused, and should value the conventional code of behavior.

Honesty

Among a Medical Assistant’s traits, ‘honesty’ is the best policy for this lifetime career. The personal information that a Medical Assistant collects has to be maintained as confidential in a healthcare setting. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a confidentiality rule that needs vigilance and care in maintaining each patient’s set of information. However, it is also considered courteous to behave trustworthy to a patient while reviewing their health or personal information (even during informal conversation). Every Medical Assistant will be introduced to circumstances where they need to prove their ethical and moral characteristics daily therefore honesty is a chief quality to become a professional Medical Assistant.

Willpower

At times, you will be interacting with a physician who is bursting with questions that may overwhelm you or with a disgruntled patient who is in a lot of pain and maybe lashing out at you. In a situation like this, having strong willpower towards your personal feelings is extremely important. Being a professional in a health care environment, not reacting but instead responding, and remaining polite all at the same time is the unique Medical Assistant trait that is necessary for you as a good professional.

If you possess the above-mentioned traits, then go ahead and join a professional Medical Assistant training program that will give you all the essential courses required to become a successful medical assistant. Are you thinking about a new career as a Medical Assistant?  We are enrolling now for classes starting soon! 

Contact Allen School today to learn more.

Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant in Phoenix Arizona

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Medical Assistants (MA’s) are some of the hardest-working professionals in the healthcare field. They have both clinical and administrative duties, which means one minute they might be scheduling appointments and answering phones, and the next, they’re rushing to take a patient’s vital signs. Being a Medical Assistant means stepping up to fill gaps, solve problems, direct patients, and keep clinics and medical units running smoothly.

This career isn’t for everyone, but there are some great benefits for those who do find a career as an MA appealing. We identified some of the top advantages below.

The path to becoming a Medical Assistant is relatively short

You know you need a college or technical school education but you’re also itching to launch your career as soon as possible. While some healthcare-related degree programs take several years, earning  Medical Assistant credentials are considerably shorter. In a blended format that combines traditional and online learning classes, the Medical Assistant program at The Allen School Phoenix Campus can be completed in less than a year!

You can work in a variety of locations in and around the Phoenix area.

Some healthcare jobs are limited to hospitals, but that’s not the case for Medical Assistants. As an MA you may find yourself working in a hospital, clinic, as part of a general practice or even in a surgery clinic. Medical Assistants can also find employment at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and many other settings.

You’ll get to build relationships with patients.

Since Medical Assistants direct patients through their appointments: direct them where to go, take vitals and perform screening questions, they have a chance to engage in conversation that can turn meaningful. A simple question like “How was your day?” can help patients relax and connect. Medical Assistants work face to face with people all day, making interpersonal skills very important in this career. If you have a passion for helping people, Medical Assisting is a great choice!

You’ll be part of a team.

Some careers can feel isolated—like you are doing the work all by yourself. This is not the case if you become a Medical Assistant. MAs in Arizona are an important member of the healthcare team and frequently work alongside physicians, nurses, physician assistants or nurse practitioners. This means not only will you be able to ask questions and consult with your colleagues, but they’ll rely on you, too.

You’ll acquire necessary skills for advancement.

Medical Assistants need a handful of soft skills to complement their technical skills. Sympathy and good communication skills are near the top of the list. These transferable skills can be leveraged in many healthcare careers, so honing them as a Medical Assistant can help you advance down the road.

The technical skills of a Medical Assistant can lead to other opportunities as well. Learning how to draw blood or perform EKGs can translate to a variety of other healthcare professions. Clinics in Phoenix are constantly in need of people to take on leadership roles, whether it’s as a team lead or, with further education, as a clinic administrator.

You’ll never be bored.

Being a Medical Assistant means you probably won’t spend time sitting around waiting for your next task. That wide variety of skills we mentioned makes an MA very useful as “pinch hitters” when the clinic gets busy.

You can be a specialist or a generalist.

While an MA’s duties can span several responsibilities, they don’t always have to. Those who prefer dabbling in several different areas would fit in well in a smaller clinic. You’ll gain a broad knowledge of the medical field due to the number of tasks you’ll undertake in all parts of the facility. If you prefer focusing on a few specific tasks, you may opt to work in a larger clinic with a bigger staff. This setting will allow you to specialize in a particular department that interests you, honing the precise skills needed for that position.

You’ll start gaining experience before you graduate.

Every Medical Assistant program is different, but some require students to complete an externship or internship while earning their certificate. For example, students enrolled in the Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix Campus compete a clinical internship of 275 hours before they graduate. The clinical experience makes a great addition to your resume and job search as well, since you can demonstrate to employers that you have hands-on experience.

Make a difference as a Medical Assistant

Are you considering becoming a Medical Assistant (MA) in Arizona? Not only is this an honorable decision that can allow you to make a positive difference in the lives of countless patients, but it’s also one that can lead you to an extremely fulfilling career. As an MA your daily role will be one that centers around helping others, and you will have an important role in the health and safety of our society as a whole.

The Allen School of Health Sciences Phoenix Campus is 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

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!  Contact Allen School today to learn more about an exciting career as a medical assistant.

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