In order to kick off your career as a medical assistant, you’re going to have to go through an interview first. This experience can be stressful, but with proper preparation and experience, you should be able to answer all questions accurately, honestly and confidently. Here are some typical questions that are asked in a medical assistant interview collected by Prism Career Institute to familiarize you with the process and to help you get ready for interviews after the completion of your program of study.
- Are you a people person?
Working as a medical assistant requires constant interaction with patients and the doctors you are assisting. This means you need to have strong interpersonal skills while being able to maintain a positive and caring attitude that will keep patients relaxed and comfortable. Showing that you enjoy helping others and are willing to be a team player will set you apart. Try to give an example of how your people skills helped you during your studies or at other jobs.
- What experience do you have working with patients?
If you are just leaving school and are looking for your first real job in the field, you may not have a strong answer to this question. Fortunately, Prism Career Institute offers an externship program, which provides training in a real-world setting in order to gain the skills and experience needed to transition into a full-time job. These externships can take place in a variety of settings, from a small private practice to a large hospital, to help you decide what type of environment fits your personality and skills best. You’ll be able to relay your experience gained while completing this externship to the interviewer.
- Describe a time when you had a difficult patient and how you handled them.
This question ties together your interpersonal skills and your level of experience. While almost everyone has at least one story about a tough patient, be cautious about your answer. Your response should demonstrate that you can identify difficult situations and respond appropriately based on your training. At the same time, it’s a good opportunity to show that you know the value of compassion and understand that discomfort and stress are often at the root of tough encounters with patients.
- Are you experienced in administrative responsibilities?
Medical assistants have a wide variety of responsibilities. Other than helping out with patients, you may also be asked to work with checking in patients at the front desk, updating medical records and scheduling appointments. Share any experience you have with these or any similar tasks, and highlight your organizational skills for this question. Since medical records are mainly kept online now, this may also be a good spot to convey your skills with electronic health records (EHR).
- How do you protect the rights and privacy of patients?
This is another question that will require some preparation beforehand. It is an opportunity to display your knowledge of HIPAA regulations and declare the importance that maintaining the safety of your patients has to you. Before the interview takes place, brush up on this material so you can deliver a strong response that aligns with the proper regulations.
Prepare for Medical Assistant Interview Questions and More
With a solid background of education and experience, you can walk into an interview with confidence, knowing that you stand out among the other candidates. The Medical Assistant Program at Prism Career Institute provides this base of knowledge, as well as extensive career services to thoroughly prepare you for your job search. Both day and evening schedules at our Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey, locations offer flexibility that lets you learn on a schedule that works for your busy life. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant and would like to learn more about the program, be sure to contact us with any questions.