I NEED HELP!

ethel- Brooklyn New York in Patchogue, New York said: Hi CeeTee:
Well congratulations! I see you can't find a job either. You can't give up okay. Just keep on looking eventually something will come up for you. Meanwhile, sometimes you might have to go in another direction before you get what you want. It's better to have more than one skill under your belt. Because I'm in the same situation, unemployed, can't find a job as a Medical Assistant. I graduated in July 2007 with an Associates Degree. The Medical Assistant have a job website, but you got to have experience, speak a second language,and be CERTIFIED. Can you believe that? So I'm in a month course taking Customer service, in which they're suppose to help you find a job afterwards. Keep in mind that whatever we do is cutomer service. Your internship, babysitting, McDonald's, etc. I live in Brooklyn, New York. They're a lot of websites to go on so keep browsing and searching around, okay. Good lock, Ethel.

Yes I am going to take my Certification test if not this moth then next month but thanks any way

Hi LC:
This is Ethel writing once again. I saw this on Craigslist, Cleveland Ohio. It goes as follow: TRAINING SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW JUNE/JULY, $3000-$5000 WEEK. The e-mail is marie@staplelean.com. Also take this Doctor e-mail drsilverblatt@dr.silverblatt.com, maybe you can send him your resume or send a message.

hi ceetee:
It's Saturday, and I saw some job opportunities on Craigslists. Go to Craigslists Jacksonville Florida and read the lists of opportunities. Also type in Medical Assistant jobs Jacksonville, Florida. And change your resume and put in customer service. For example: General Medical Office Administration duties such as faxing, filing medical records, answered phones, distribution of messages to physicians, meeting and greeting people providing customer service. Because most medical assistant positions want customer service experience. Rewrite your cover letter and say that you also have customer service experience, because you do, okay.

Ok thank you very much I will try it

I just graduated with an Associate degree in Applied science (Mecical assistant). I'm certified with AAMA. i've been looking for a job and came across this site. I tell you i'm really nervous now. Are there any open jobs in Michigan?

Hi Tammy:
You're not the only one who's looking for a job as an Medical Assistant. But you're CERTIFIED so you really shouldn't have a problem. Try craigslist.org and click on Michigan. There are also other websites. Medical Staffing, Medical Assistants Jobs, careerbuilder.com, Office Team, Monster.com, After College.com Hotjobs.com, MSN.com, etc. My name is Ethel and I live in Brooklyn New York. I haven't done anything since my internship training in 2006. So I have to take the test to become CERTIFIED. If possible can you give me some insight on the AAMA? Do They also do CERTIFICATIONS? The facility I was training in didn't need anymore employees.

Michigan seems to be a difficult place to get a job in this field,from what I have been seeing,and the pay can be horribly low. Can your school help you out in getting something? Actually,they can so make sure they try,don't break contact with them or anything (which is easy to do if you hated the place). Their job isn't over yet.
There are always open jobs available everywhere but some areas are more picky than others in that many job sites are never advertising when a position comes up,they fill the spot by word of mouth,etc. Around here I will see an MA job ad in the papers maybe a few times a month but that doesn't mean many more positions aren't out there.
Good luck. I know you are thinking right now that they didn't tell you how hard it would be at this point.

ethel in New York, New York said: Hi Tammy:
You're not the only one who's looking for a job as an Medical Assistant. But you're CERTIFIED so you really shouldn't have a problem. Try craigslist.org and click on Michigan. There are also other websites. Medical Staffing, Medical Assistants Jobs, careerbuilder.com, Office Team, Monster.com, After College.com Hotjobs.com, MSN.com, etc. My name is Ethel and I live in Brooklyn New York. I haven't done anything since my internship training in 2006. So I have to take the test to become CERTIFIED. If possible can you give me some insight on the AAMA? Do They also do CERTIFICATIONS? The facility I was training in didn't need anymore employees.

Didn't they push the AAMA in your school? That's all I heard about in mine,but I went with AMT. Some places DO require certification. I am pretty sure a prestigious place like the Cleveland Clinic does,or at least they suggest it. But a lot don't care,I am afraid. Many MAs are certified and can't find anything,which adds to their frustration and confusion,especially when they come upon working MAs who admit they are not certified,and don't plan to be. It's still a good thing to do though,the end result of all that training.

Hi Ceetee:
Also try Net Temps in your State, Medical Assistant job, Medical Staffing in your State. Ethel

Hi Ethel, Thanks for the list of websites. Some I have been looking at but some I have not heard of.What would you like to know about AAMa, i'd be glad to help.What do you mean when you ask if they do certifications? Tammy

LC in Cleveland, Ohio said: Michigan seems to be a difficult place to get a job in this field,from what I have been seeing,and the pay can be horribly low. Can your school help you out in getting something? Actually,they can so make sure they try,don't break contact with them or anything (which is easy to do if you hated the place). Their job isn't over yet.
There are always open jobs available everywhere but some areas are more picky than others in that many job sites are never advertising when a position comes up,they fill the spot by word of mouth,etc. Around here I will see an MA job ad in the papers maybe a few times a month but that doesn't mean many more positions aren't out there.
Good luck. I know you are thinking right now that they didn't tell you how hard it would be at this point.

Tanks, No, they didn't, and i didn't realize how many people are doing MA jobs that have never gone to school. Why did i spend all that money? I worked in a factory for 26 years and then the factory closed, so I THOUGHT going to school and getting into the medical field was the way to go.now i'm not so sure!

Tammy:
Some Medical Assistants positions they want 2 to 3 years experience and CERTIFICATION. Meaning that they want someone who is CERTIFIED with a license or something. I always get asked that question when I go out on interviews. Ethel

ethel in New York, New York said: Tammy:
Some Medical Assistants positions they want 2 to 3 years experience and CERTIFICATION. Meaning that they want someone who is CERTIFIED with a license or something. I always get asked that question when I go out on interviews. Ethel

Ethel, The AAMA certification test is not to bad to take, as long as you study. How long have you been a MA?

Thank you so much I will try it

hi ladies,
to those who have been out of school for a while go back to your school and see if they will let you take the refresher course. Mine did and we are doing injections,and all the lab stuff which is great since i have been in the field with my externship and volunteer experience. right now it is hard to get a job so i am getting the extra stuff for my resume after reading all of the comments I want to make my resume stand out. I am a RMA since 2003 check out with the school to see if they will do the paper work so you can take the rma or cma exams and find out the price from your school i took the rma got a 92/100 on the exam which was 300 questions and cost $90.00 to take the exam which i was glad that i only had to take that one time it was hard i studied for 6 weeks you need a 70 to pass the test. I am going to do the phlobotomy the next phase which is ten weeks it will be worth it to have recent stuff and plus i get to see what the girls are doing my competion for jobs....take care and good luck have a polished resume and cover letter will help with the interviews i did get a few but didn't have enough experience...

lia in Yorktown Heights, New York said: Hi I am a medical asst. but out of practice for several years. i would like ro take a refresher course for the practical end of assisting but can not seem to find anywhere that does this. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks PS I will start over with a new course but I feel I just need to refresh my techniques Any ideas ? thanks Lia

try going back to the school that you went to for the training for medical assisting...I went back to mine and was amazed at how much has changed and better ways of giving injections...I was glad that i went back and the school is not charging me which is good take care and good luck

Hi Tammy:
I graduated from college in July 2007, but finished in October 2006. I'm currently unemployed. I feel no one is going to hire me at this time because all I have is internship training. I graduated as an Medical Assistant/Nurses Assistant with and Associates Degree along with several of the school certificates. I took the State Board Exam for Nurses Assistant and didn't do well. I was given the option to take the test again twice for $52.00. I took the test from www.nha.now who gives tests in various States in various schools. I have to buy the book for a Nurse Technician in order to study properly. Because the paper work that was printed from the computer I was studying from wasn't good. The test is 200 questions and you have to get 114 right. The only way I can get a job right now is to become CERTIFIED by the State. It's what they're asking for everytime I go out on interviews. Meanwhile I'm currently taking a (1)month course in Customer Service. I want to be flexible having more than one skill. I was told the MA test is hard. It's why I took the Nurse Technician test. Once you pass the test you will get CERTIFICATIONS for Nurse Technician, EKG, and Phlebotomy. It's why I asked you that question. Thanks, Ethel

Ethel, I've never heard of that test. I didn't think the AAMA test was that bad, but i studied like crazy. If you go to www.aama-ntl.org they have practice exams on it.If there's anything i can do to help you, let me know. Tammy

Hello Ethel, thank you so very much for the encouragement.I will pursue ma and see what happens. thanks again.

Hi Sandy
Just hang in there. We all know that getting our foot in the door isn't going to be easy. But if you go to a good Medical Facility to do your internship they will hire you. I graduated from ASA July 2007. It's what you want to get out it. Ethel

Hi Tammy:
Thanks for your continued support. As you can see it's not that easy for some of us who is constantly trying to get their foot in the door. I'm going to look at that website you gave me to search. Maybe there's a different and a much better way. It's why I wrote to you explaining how this company works that CERTIFYS people. www.nha.now operates out of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. They charge range is different prices depending on your profession. Some cost less, some cost more. Right now I'm still looking for work. The job placement counselor has given me a lot of interviews to go out on all next week. I will be taking advantage of the opportunity to. I'll keep you updated of my progress, okay. Thanks Ethel

boo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin said: I live in Milwaukee WI and just graduated as a medical Assistant, and still have no job, can someone please help me find a website where there are actual job openings??? I have searched everywhere.

Boo:
Hi! Here are some websites that you can check out. Click on to craigslists.org in your State. You could also be a Medical Office Administrative Assistant to. Other websites is Office Team, Careerbuilder, Indeed.com, yahoo.com, intel staffing, net temps, also go to a medical employment office in your Stste or temporary agency, after college.com, and check some of the local clinics in your town or state, you have to go places to leave a copy of your resume. Also just play with your computer on medical assistant. It will take you to websites. Good luck and don't give up. Ethel.

Another idea is to send out cover letters & resumes to different Dr offices in your area. Put c/o office manager on the outside of the envelopes. Thats what I did, and I have an interview on Monday with one of the offices I sent one to. I don't know if anything will become of it, but its worth a try! Good Luck!!!

Good luck ladies in your search for the medical assiting job...I am going to look back in retail since i could not find a job in it but i wish all of you the best make sure the resume is in order and that you know how to do injections is a must from all of my teachers that i talked to that is a big time must that you know this skill big time...i do wish you the best i did try but have to find a job doing something so i am going back to retail or something else take care....

THERESA,
The bills still have to get paid I know ,but dont give up.You have to be persistant and it will come.I am a certified Phlebotomist and we are in the same if not a worser position than MA.They have more have more DR offices than labs and blood banks.It took me over a year to find a job.At one point I was going to give.I was advides to be persistant,if they are not hiring at the time keep calling at least once a week.Make them remember your name.Get out there and walk into Dr. office,it might be some you missed ,look in the phone book.There is someone out there willing to give you a chance because some people know how it is.Of course there is some that know they can pay you less because you have know experience so they will heed the chance.My advice to you if someone does offer you a position ven though the money might not be what the school told you would get.TAKE IT,take it to get your foot in the door.Let them use you for cheep labor and you use them for experience.Then when the time is right 1or2 yr if they are no giving you what you need then you have the experience to go somewhere else.You have to start somewhere and you have to pay your doos.You need to start by being persistant and beleive in yourself.

Hi Everyone,
I just found out that I passed the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam (CCMA). I have a few questions about the exam:
1) When I update my resume do I put ccma after my name? For example, Jane Doe,ccma.
2) The administrators at the NHA said that since I passed the test, I am now also a certified phlebotomist and EKG tech. Is this true? If it is true then why are there seperate tests for EKG and phlebotomy?

Thank you

Hi Alicia. The answer to your first question is yes,use CCMA. You can also use "cma" but it has to be in lower case letters since you didn't take the exam through AAMA. They are funny about that.
The answer to your second question is no,a medical assistant is NOT certified in phlebotomy unless they took a specific phlebotomy certification exam. Same for EKGs. NHA is not an agency that a lot of people recommend and this is one of the reasons why (false information). But congratulations on passing (what a relief,huh).

Hi Theresa:
Your right about trying to find a job as a Medical Assistant. I graduated in 2006 as a medical assistant with a Associates Degree, with Nurses Assistant as well. All I have is internship training because the medical facility didn't need to hire anyone at the present time. So I went on several interviews. The job placement counselor couldn't never find me a job because everywhere I went medical facilities wanted you to be CERTIFIED by the State. Then I said I may as well take on another skill because no one is going to hire me because all I have is internship training. I took a one month course in Customer Service. I finished and got a certificate in the course and now I'm working in a call center for a survey company part time. It's the same thing I was trying to tell the other girls who have tried to find a job as a medical assistant. It's not easy for some of us. Secondly I don't know how to give injections. The doctor was going to show me but he never got around to doing it. I would like to go back to school for a medical receptionist or learn trauma. I like getting my hands dirty. Ethel Brooklyn, New York

Hi Alicia:
CONGRATULATIONS! On passing the CCMA examination test. Unfortunately for me I didn't pass. I have the options of taking the test again for $52.00 twice. I took the test with the NHA as well. Yes you do get CERTIFICATIONS for EKG and Phlebotomy to. They told me if I pass the test for Nurse Technician I will get CERTIFICATIONS for Phlebotomy and EKG as well. On your resume, you suppose to put that you're a certified CCMA, but not next to your name. You make a copy of your resume with your license on it. Or when you go out on interviews you present it to the interviewer. As for me I need to get that book for the nurse technician or CCMA. I graduated in 2007 from ASA and all I got is internship training dating back to 2006. Because of that no one will hire me. The medical facility didn't need anyone at the time. So I just had to take another training skill in customer service. I got a certificate in customer service and is now working part time. I went out on several interviews for medical assistant, medical administrative assistant but they want experience and you to be CERTIFIED. I really want to work in the medical field. Ethel Brooklyn, New York

Thank you everyone for answering my questions. Good luck to all of you. It is very hard to get a job as a medical assistant. As a matter of fact, its very hard to get a job in any field. Ethel, I graduated from ASA also, I am now attending mercy college. I want to get my bachelors degree in psychology, and possibly start a different career. It is too hard to obtain gainful employment as a medical assistant especially if you don't speak a second language, and don't have atleast 2 years experience. Good luck to everyone.

What makes me upset is that the colleges continue to tell students that it is a good career choice to make, and that we would make up to $14.00 an hour! They need to wake up and stop sending students in that direction.

That is so true I just went to a place today for a interview and I was told $9.00 hr and then because I'm fresh out of school and my externship dosen't help at all they need some one with at least 6 months of exper. omg I was so upsetted so I went on this other interview for a CNA position they telling me how they will train me and I just got my CNA license a few days ago so now I got to pay back a student loan of $13,000.00 for the MA course and I only paid $300.00 for a 1 week course and test for CNA I mean come on something really needs to be done about this crazinest

So true! It seems like schools should go out and do some research before they are allowed to continue to tell students this just to get our money!!! The only problem with CNA jobs, is it's back breaking work! And you have to be able to stomach some of the nastier parts of the job.I have a friend that did this same exact thing and she hates it!

Your are ever so right well I'm just praying that something falls through or else I would have to take the job I got 3 kids and I am not eligible for assistant so I have to do what I gotta do but we all need to be prayerful

Hi Everyone,
I just recieved my certification package from NHA. They told me that with my CCMA certification I will be certified as a phlebotomist and EKG tech. What they didn't tell me is that I have to pay an extra $40 dollars to recieve those extra certifications. I can't find a job in the Medical Assisting field, and they want $150 dollars for the test, and now another 40 dollars for the two extra certificates. How do they expect people to pay for all of these things without a job. I'm getting fed up.

Hi,
I have a question, I looked up the average salary for Medical Assistants, and I see that it's supposed to be about $27,000 a year. My question is where are these jobs that pay this amount? Every job opening that I see for medical assisting offers less than 10 dollars an hour, part time.

I did see a job listing for around my area (Mich) that offered $14.00/hr but they wouldn't take your application with out 3-5 years experience.

Yes I heard you loud and clear it is so unfair I haven't got a job yet and Septmeber is quickly approaching and Sallie Mae don't want to here I haven't found a job yet they want their money like now

See that is what I'm talking about I mean we should form some kind of group and get our money back from these schools for lying to us

Alicia,
Where in NY do you live?

I live in brooklyn. The most expensive city in the country, and employers have the nerve to offer 8 dollars an hour, like I can support myself on that. I know I sound bitter but I expected to have a good career, and I now see how hard it is so hard to make a decent living.

I'm thankful that I received an associates degree in medical assisting, and was able to transferre my credits to a 4 year college. Hopefully with a bachelors degree, I will be able to get a job.

Hi everybody,
Someone just told me that MA's can be clinical research coordinators without any extra training. Clinical research coordinators earn about 40,000 a year. I'm going to do some research on this field, and see if this is true.

Ok, I do have an opening but its too far away. Good luck with job hunting. It is brutal out there.

OOOOOOOOH Thank you thank you thank you thank you I will get right on it like NOW

what school did you go to in florida? i'm here in wisconsin, it's not easy here. let me know annie

Advance Career Training and I got in so fast

sandy in Corona, New York said: Hello Ethel, thank you so very much for the encouragement.I will pursue ma and see what happens. thanks again.

Hi Sandy:
How you're coming along with getting into a higher level of education. Did you decide to make a go at becoming a Medical Assistant? If you did please study and be the very best you can be in your class. Pay close attention to the ones that always want you to help them, they'll start depending on you. It's okay to help now and then but let them realize that they have to get it just like you're getting it. If you can try taking a course in Nursing Assistant also. It's a (5)week course in some places. When you get to the end and have to start internship make sure you get the best out of your training okay. Ethel

true

Well thank god I got a job it's not medical assistant but it is CNA a very nice friendly retirement/home for the aged very dignified place and it start me out very well and they are still hiring and after 6 months you can go to school and they will pay for the most of it with a scholorship so I feel so blessed and I have benifits I pray that you all that are having a hardtime looking for work find something like I did by the grace of God.