Building Your Resume as a New Medical Assistant

If you recently graduated from a medical assistant program or you are about to, you may be wondering how you can gain the experience needed to land your first job. Navigating your way into a brand-new career can be scary and sometimes overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Here are a few tips and tricks to help launch you into your first job after becoming a medical assistant.

Master Your Externship 

Excelling at your externship will greatly improve your chances of finding a job quickly upon graduation. Many students are actually hired by their externship site, and for those who aren’t, they are given a glowing recommendation which can do wonders in helping them obtain employment elsewhere. Your externship colleagues will be a valuable reference when you apply for jobs, so it’s imperative that you’re always professional and do your best. 

Get Certified

After completion of your medical assisting program, it’s important to take the next step of passing the exam to become a certified medical assistant. While not all employers or states may require you to become certified in order to gain employment as a medical assistant, many employers prefer to hire only those with candidates with certification. Plus, choosing to become certified demonstrates how serious and committed you are to your new profession. Certification will stand out on your resume and give you a great advantage over applicants who aren’t certified. 

Consider Volunteer Opportunities 

If you weren’t successful in getting hired on at your externship site, consider finding volunteer opportunities that have the potential to lead to employment or at the very least, a recommendation. If you aren’t sure where to turn, contact your local hospital or long-term care facility as a way to gain experience, but also connect with professionals who would be willing to write a letter of recommendation to help you get hired. 

Take Stock of Your Skills 

Before you apply for jobs, it’s important to identify the skills you succeed at, as well as identify those skills that could use a little strengthening prior to becoming a medical assistant. After completing your medical assisting program, you should have a wealth of new skills to take stock of, including medical terminology, patient etiquette, using electronic health records, as well as the ability to perform a variety of administrative and clinical skills. When building your resume, don’t forget to list your soft skills too. Soft skills are equally important as they highlight your personal qualities like empathy which can show your potential employer you know how to make a patient feel more comfortable, or your ability to multi-task or be a team player and step in wherever needed. 

What to Look For 

When it comes to finding your first job after becoming a medical assistant, on-the-job training is an absolute must! While you’re likely anxious to just dive in and get started, you still have a lot to learn, so being patient and learning the ropes from experienced medical assistants who have been in your shoes before is a healthy part of the process. 

Interested in Becoming a Medical Assistant? 

If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, the more you can set yourself apart from other candidates, the more opportunities will come your way. Taking the time to practice your training, gain experience, and improve your skills will set you up for success in your exciting and rewarding career in medical assisting. To get trained in a new healthcare career quickly, contact Athena Career Academy today. We offer no wait list and flexible class schedules.