Medical Assisting Interview.

We interviewed one of our Medical Assistant instructors. Our Medical Assisting program is an 8-month program. Our MA program is available at our Riverside and Huntington Park locations.

What makes your program stand out? “There’s a lot of diversity in the field. The scope of jobs you can get is large. You don’t only have to work in doctor offices; you can work in hospitals as well, along with working for specialty doctors, also just as your job you aren’t only working in the front office or with patients, your job itself is diverse.”

What can students expect on their externships? “Being able to utilize all their skills they have learned during their class time. It will depend on what scope of practice of medicine the externship you go into. Here at American College of Healthcare and Technology we try and simulate many world-like experiences you may face in medical offices of different practices like orthopedics, pediatrics, OB-GYN, erectile dysfunction, cardiology and many other specialties.”

What’s a small change that a student can make to make them better? “It’s good if you have passion. You don’t want to hold yourself back. Always be as curious as you can. A lot of the time fear will hold you back. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your instructors because often others do not know the answer and do not be afraid to think outside the box.”

What is something a student will learn, they may not be expecting? “The students are going to be learning a lot of medical terminologies and asking questions of that may be uncomfortable like about the reproductive system. Some people may never have touched someone to get their vitals and there is a certain feel and you will have to learn to read your patients to see their comfort level and you are going to find out how a patient is going to respond to you.”

What is the most exciting thing a student will learn in the MA program? “I think when they learn that they are going to be interacting with their fellow students. I see the relationships that the people develop in the class. Sometimes the students are quiet or not talking to any other students and by the time the end of the course they grow a lot closer and many friendships are made.”

What is a tip that you can give to a student to make them a better student? “One of the ways I try and make my students better is to challenge them, for instance, to challenge themselves with interactive tools like helping them better memorize information. Something else I would suggest is to form study groups, some people learn by hearing some by doing the activity itself, it is good to surround yourself by different kinds of learners to improve yourself.”

What makes this program so rewarding? “It is the beginning of a professional career and they will see where they are and see even more opportunities to grow even more. I have had students that have started off as medical assistants and they have gone back and became nurses. One of my students who I had gone back to school years later and became a nurse practitioner. In the end what really makes this program as rewarding as possible is all the work we do is positively affecting someone in some way.”

What advice would you give your students to make themselves better from day one? “Believe in yourself. Be sure you know what motivates you because everything starts with you first. Make sure the reason you are doing this is yours, and not anyone else’s because the motivation you need to have comes from within. People around you may be naysayers, wondering why you are going to school, and you have to believe in yourself to block that out to be the best person you can be.”

What is something about the medical assisting field that students may know even after they graduate from the American College of Healthcare and Technology? “That the medical assisting field is a lot like customer service, and that you are going to have to learn to work with rude patients. You have to remember going to the doctor’s office is not a pleasant adventure for the patient. You are going to learn how to deal with delicate situations with people, and to make them feel comfortable in an uncomfortable position.”

For any additional information, visit us online at www.ach.edu or call us at (951) 729-5320 or (323) 585-9000

American College of Healthcare and Technology has two convenient locations.

Our Huntington Park offers the follow programs: Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Veterinary Assistant, and Massage Therapy & Physical Therapy Aide.

Our Huntington Park campus proudly serves the following communities: Bell, Bell Gardens, Compton, Southgate, Los Angeles, Vernon, Maywood, Cudahy, Florence, South Central LA, Watts, Lynwood, City of industry, Lawndale, Paramount, Inglewood, Commerce, Downy, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Carson, Long Beach, Bellflower, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Whittier, Gardena, Hawthorne, El Monte, La Puente, Monterrey Park.

Our Riverside campus offers the following programs: Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Veterinary Assistant, Massage Therapy & Physical Therapy Aide, Dental Assistant, Surgical Technology, and Pharmacy Technician.

Our Riverside campus proudly serves the following communities: Corona, Moreno Valley, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, La Sierra, Arlington, Jurupa Valley, Rialto, Pedley, Mira Loma, Rubidoux, Bloomington, Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Wildomar, Temecula, Murrieta, Loma Linda, Fontana, Grand Terrace, and Glen Avon.

11801 Pierce St., Suite 100
Riverside, California 92505
(951) 729-5320

6606 Pacific Blvd, Suite 204
Huntington Park, California 90255
(323) 585-9000