Pennco Tech issued the following announcement.
You’ve finally completed your training and earned your certificate from one of Bucks County or Camden County’s top medical assistant programs. You’ve lined up job interviews to venture off on your new career! Then, you go into the interview and get hit with questions you weren’t prepared for. Your answers don’t match up with what the interviewer is looking for and it ends up costing you the job.
Pennco Tech’s Medical Assistant – Administrative program gives students the skills they need to succeed in a growing, fast-paced industry — and that includes work shopping interview skills with our students through our Career Services department.
Here, you’ll find some commonly asked interview questions, along with how to answer appropriately. Review these to better prepare and increase your odds of landing the job!
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
When answering this kind of question, it’s crucial to find the right balance of not selling yourself short and not coming off as arrogant. When speaking about your strengths, talk about some of the things you feel you are best at — but avoid bragging about these accomplishments. As for your weaknesses, it’s best to address them as areas you are looking to improve on, not as areas that could potentially make you a liability.
Do you have experience with these aspects of the job?
There are certain skills that a potential medical assistant needs. It is likely they will ask about your experience in each area. Making sure you are prepared for each of them will be vital.
Computer Skills
This encompasses any work you have done with various EHR software and programs such as Microsoft Office. Having a mental note of which programs you have worked with is key.
Medical Coding & Billing
You should mention any types of insurances that you have billed, along with any experience with Medicare and Medicaid. If this will be your first job, talk about the knowledge you’ve picked up in our medical assistant school in Bucks County or Camden County.
Front Office Skills
Ideally, they are looking for someone who can perform clinical and administrative work and feels comfortable answering phones. Pennco Tech’s Medical Assistant – Administrative program helps promote these skills, which you can certainly bring up in your interview.
Patient Interaction
The interviewer is looking for a candidate who can take patient histories and vitals, as well as draw blood, if necessary. Some positions may also require you to work with patient prescriptions. Of course, you should draw on any previous experience, if you’ve had it. If you’ve yet to encounter this work on the job, share how you’ve trained for these situations while learning at Pennco Tech.
How do you handle difficult situations on the job?
As the medical industry comes with no shortage of difficult situations, this question is a likely one. While it might be tempting to exaggerate and play yourself up as the hero in a particular scenario, honesty is the best course of action. Draw from a previous experience you had — whether it be an internship or elsewhere — describing the issue and how you resolved it. Remember, they are looking for someone professional, courteous, and able to think on their feet!
What do you like most/least about your role?
Explaining what you like most about being a medical assistant is pretty straightforward. It’s when they ask you what you like least, on the other hand, that things can get a little dicey. Complaining during an interview sends a huge red flag to the potential employer. If this kind of question comes up, it’s best to say that you like all of your responsibilities. Adding that you would like to take on more responsibilities doesn’t hurt either!
What makes you the best candidate?
Be sure to describe some of the qualities you mentioned earlier in the interview, but make sure that you are not coming off as arrogant. Explain why you are interested in the specific company (do your research!) and how these qualities make you an excellent fit.
Ready to start your new career? Pennco Tech is accepting enrollment for our Medical Assistant – Administrative program at both our Bristol and Blackwood campuses. Fill out our contact form today to get started!
I just wanted to say thank you again for all your help…I just got a full time job at Kennedy Healthcare in Stratford, NJ as a Patient Services Representative. Thank you again.
Maria Z. - Medical Assisting Administrative Graduate
‘I got it!!!!!I got it!’, Anthony said as he raced into the Career Services Office. He was talking about his new job. Hired by a former graduate of Pennco Tech, Anthony will begin his new career with a two-day OSHA training course.
Anthony Z. - Air Conditioning/Heating Graduate
I enjoyed all my teachers. They made it interesting and challenging. I enjoyed going back to school at the age of 48! Career Services was a big help to me. Danielle was great. She helped me with my resume and showed me how to apply. I got the job with Dietz and Watson! Pennco Tech was the right choice for me as I get ready to start my career.
Mark E. - Electrician Graduate
I just wanted to say thank you again for all your help…I just got a full time job at Kennedy Healthcare in Stratford, NJ as a Patient Services Representative. Thank you again.
Maria Z. - Medical Assisting Administrative Graduate
‘I got it!!!!!I got it!’, Anthony said as he raced into the Career Services Office. He was talking about his new job. Hired by a former graduate of Pennco Tech, Anthony will begin his new career with a two-day OSHA training course.
Anthony Z. - Air Conditioning/Heating Graduate
I enjoyed all my teachers. They made it interesting and challenging. I enjoyed going back to school at the age of 48! Career Services was a big help to me. Danielle was great. She helped me with my resume and showed me how to apply. I got the job with Dietz and Watson! Pennco Tech was the right choice for me as I get ready to start my career.
Mark E. - Electrician Graduate
I just wanted to say thank you again for all your help…I just got a full time job at Kennedy Healthcare in Stratford, NJ as a Patient Services Representative. Thank you again.
Maria Z. - Medical Assisting Administrative Graduate
Original source can be found here.
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