At Advantage Career Institute Medical & Dental School, our students are required to complete a 180-hour medical assistant internship as part of our Medical Assistant Certification Program. Taking part in an internship will benefit you greatly when the time comes to apply for a position in the medical field. Having a leg up over other candidates looking to break into the field will make it much easier for you to show your knowledge and passion when interview time comes. Here are some of the ways a medical assistant internship will increase your value to potential employers.
Learning Professionalism
Internships are one of the best ways to to hone your professional skills, which are valuable in all careers, not just ones in the medical field. Some of the skills you will be working on include communication, administrative procedures, and interpersonal skills. Unlike what you learn in the classroom, at an internship you will get an actual idea of what the job atmosphere is like and what your day-to-day work will be like when you start your new career.
Getting Hands-On Experience
No amount of educational experience can replace the benefits of actually getting out there and putting what you’ve learned in the classroom into practice. With a medical assistant internship, you’ll actually be doing the job you’re training for. You’ll still be learning, but once you’ve put in the 180 required hours, you will be in a much stronger position than those who only have the classroom experience.
Building a Stronger Resume
As one of the fastest growing professions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant positions can have strong competition. Making sure your resume is strong will put you at the head of the pack and make you stand out to potential employers. An internship is an important thing to include on a resume, because it shows you’ve done the work and are prepared to integrate quickly and in a professional manner.
Improved Time Management Skills
Before you start a new job, it’s important to learn how to work. With an internship, you essentially have a job: you will be required to arrive on time and complete tasks within a specified time frame. Being an intern will help you get into the swing of things for when you are working as a medical assistant in your actual career.
An Opportunity for Employment
Many employers use internships to shape interns into future employees. By showcasing your skills day in and day out, you will be proving that you can do the job and express how fit you are for the position in a way that a resume and job interview alone could never match.
Improving Communication Skills
Due to the nature of the job, medical assistants will work directly with patients, physicians, and other coworkers, sometimes under stressful circumstances. Proving you can handle the more difficult communication situations that might arise will make you very attractive to potential employers.
Increasing Your Earning Potential
A medical assistant’s pay is sometimes evaluated based on experience and skill. An internship is a valuable qualification that can improve your value to your employer and increase your earning potential.
Raising Your Self Confidence
Confidence can make or break an interview with a potential employer. By participating in a medical assistant internship, you will feel accomplished and have a greater understanding of the field. Knowing your stuff will make it easier for you to answer any questions the interviewer might have and will help you to be less nervous about pursuing leads in the medical field.
The Medical Assistant Internship Program at ACI
At ACI Medical & Dental School, students in our Medical Assistant Certification Program are required to complete a 180-hour internship before they graduate. We believe that getting hands-on experience is invaluable and will help our students find employment upon finishing their chosen program. If you are interested in getting involved with one of our programs, or have questions regarding the internship program specifically, contact us today.
