It's good to know how much experience candidates have as a medical assistant. They may have just finished their training and only have internship experience so will need to decide if they are a good fit for you in other ways. What to look for:

• Medical assistant experience
• Communication skills
• Fit for your company

Example: "I've served as an intern as past of my medical assistant program. I just completed my program in June, and at the conclusion of my year of training, I was placed in a pediatrician's office as an intern. I shadowed and worked with the other medical assistants in the office, and I can say my time there really reaffirmed my belief that this is the right profession for me."

A lot of companies prefer to employ prospects who have experience with electronic health records (EHR) software. Ask candidates to name the names of the software applications they've trained on, as well as ask if they are familiar with the software you use in your company. What to look for:

• Experience with EHR software
• Recording patient medical history
• Computer skills

Example: "We used a simulation of EHR software at my training program. The simulation had many of the same components as the commercially used software common in clinics and other medical settings. The intern I completed at the pediatrician's office utilizes eClinicalWorks, so I have some experience using that program."

It is important that medical assistants understand HIPAA regulations and how it applies to the work they do. This question will ensure they have a full grasp of the importance of HIPAA and how to follow said regulations in their day-to-day work. What to look for:

• Understanding HIPAA regulations
• Proper training
• How to implement standard regulations

Example: "We were trained on HIPAA in my training program, and in my internship, the medical assistants took clients personal privacy seriously. We utilized only clients' given names in the waiting area, ensured the patients' exam rooms were closed prior to starting any conversations and made sure clients' charts were always out of view of others. And obviously, we knew to never go over clients' cases with anyone other than with their doctors."

Medical assistants are often tasked with doing a mix of administrative and clinical work. Be set to have the candidate talk about the front office jobs they've done or have been trained to do. What to look for:

• Administrative skills
• Proper office training
• Ability to handle front of office tasks

Example: "We learned a great deal about office tasks in my training program. We were trained in Microsoft Office and learned to use scheduling software as well. My program spent time focusing on patient intake, scheduling and other interactions, so we would have the professionalism to deal with clients face to face and on the phone. Also in my internship, I spent time working the front desk with the other assistants, so I have real-world practical experience as well."

Drawing blood is part of a medical assistant's job, so you want to know about a candidate's phlebotomy training and their comfort level when it comes to drawing blood. What to look for:

• Phlebotomy training
• Comfort with taking blood
• Taking patients vitals

Example: "I am very comfortable with blood draws and succeeded in my training program. I did not have the chance to draw blood at my internship so I don't have any genuine client experience. I did, however, complete numerous phlebotomies on my schoolmates during my time in school."

Taking patient's history and vitals are the bulk of medical assistants' day-to-day work and an important part in ensuring patients get the care they need. This question will inform you of the candidate's experience with these tasks. What to look for:

• Taking patients vitals
• Recording patient's medical history
• Basic skills of medical assistants

Example: "At my internship, I had the chance to take patient vitals on some clients. In school, we also learned about taking client histories, and I was able to assist with this at my internship as well."

You want to make sure a candidate has all their certifications up to date before they begin work and if they need to be renewed to know how soon they will be able to get that done. What to look for:

• Proper first aid training
• Red Cross certifications in place
• Understand the recertification process

Example: "Emergency Treatment, CPR, and AED training were part of my medical assistant training, and my Red Cross accreditations are still good for 18 more months. And I know I will have to recertify every two years."