Six weeks ago I started my Medical Assisting Externship. I was very nervous but determined I could do it. My first four days I spent at the front desk. Observing and learning the HER system, Scanning documents, faxing, checking patients in and out, learning about the scheduling system, answering phones, looking up patient’s charts and getting used to the schedule. After that I started shadowing for the clinical parts of the medical office. I observed how to call patient’s back, verify their identity, take vitals, hand patients urine cups and check for urine results. I also observed how to interview patients. Through the course of my externship, I learned how to merge templates, ask patients the right questions, look up imaging for patients and add imaging to a patients chart. I learned how to package urine samples, prepare them to be sent to the lab, and package them all to be sent to quest diagnostics. I was also able to learn about the spine, different areas of pain, and different kinds of names of drugs for nerve pain, muscle pain, NSAIDS, and opioid medication. One of my favorite parts of my externship was watching a doctor administer injections. I was also able to prepare a sterile field. Overall, I am happy and thankful for the experience. I will take this new knowledge with me on my new career as a Medical Assistant.
Tianna