Scribe/MA Interview/Professional Urgent Help

[Cynaic]

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Hi all,

So two days ago I applied for a paid scribe/MA (dual responsibilities) position at a private ortho practice. I have really little clinical experience so I expected to hear nothing back. Yesterday was my first hospital volunteer shift at a new program and during it a doctor walked in the room. He let me stay, talked to the patient then talked to me. I told him I recognized him as the owner of the practice I just applied to work at. He asked me a few questions then told me to "come in to the practice, tell them i'm your man and move your application to the top of the stack and set up an interview." I was busy today so i'm going in tomorrow at about 9:30 and going to bring a resume and dress up professionally. I plan to say "Hi, I'm xxxx and I applied for the scribe/MA position. I met Dr. x the other day and he strongly urged me to come in to express my strong interest/enthusiasm for the position and to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview". Please give me thoughts/advice?

I haven't done many professional interviews or gone after a position in this manner before. I've actually only ever held one job before and it was for just a summer. Thanks all for your time and input.

 

[Cynaic]

Also the practice isn't in on thursdays so I couldn't go in today. He also said enthusiasm can make up for a lot of other things. I haven't heard back from the initial person I sent my resume/application to but that was only two days ago.

Due to the pay/location and clinical experience being the major weakpoint of my application this is my dream job.

 

[965978]

Don’t have any advice to give you. Seems like you know exactly what to do. Just be confident and professional. It does, however, seem weird that he wants you to tell his staff that you have met him personally when he could just have told them that himself.

On a side note, I hate when you have to excessive display enthusiasm to get something. I’m one of those “strong and silent types” in real life and I absolutely hate the fact that my silence is seen as a weakness when I reality I only say things that need to be said.

SILENCE DOES NOT EQUAL UNENTHUSIASTIC!!!!!

 

[965978]

Btw let me just tell you that doctors are one of the flakiest people you’ll ever meet.

If there was a dollar for every time a doctor ghosted a pre-med, world hunger could be solved.

 

[sunshinefl]

Don’t have any advice to give you. Seems like you know exactly what to do. Just be confident and professional. It does, however, seem weird that he wants you to tell his staff that you have met him personally when he could just have told them that himself.

On a side note, I hate when you have to excessive display enthusiasm to get something. I’m one of those “strong and silent types” in real life and I absolutely hate the fact that my silence is seen as a weakness when I reality I only say things that need to be said.

SILENCE DOES NOT EQUAL UNENTHUSIASTIC!!!!!

Selfishly, I do like that “excessive display of enthusiasm” works because I am extremely outwardly enthusiastic/excitable/passionate. Even when it’s a con, I can’t rein it in very long.

 

[907914]

Hi all,

So two days ago I applied for a paid scribe/MA (dual responsibilities) position at a private ortho practice. I have really little clinical experience so I expected to hear nothing back. Yesterday was my first hospital volunteer shift at a new program and during it a doctor walked in the room. He let me stay, talked to the patient then talked to me. I told him I recognized him as the owner of the practice I just applied to work at. He asked me a few questions then told me to "come in to the practice, tell them i'm your man and move your application to the top of the stack and set up an interview." I was busy today so i'm going in tomorrow at about 9:30 and going to bring a resume and dress up professionally. I plan to say "Hi, I'm xxxx and I applied for the scribe/MA position. I met Dr. x the other day and he strongly urged me to come in to express my strong interest/enthusiasm for the position and to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview". Please give me thoughts/advice?

I haven't done many professional interviews or gone after a position in this manner before. I've actually only ever held one job before and it was for just a summer. Thanks all for your time and input.

I recommend you do not apply simply because, with absolutely no prior clinical experience, you will be providing a huge disservice to the patients without having been through a formal MA training. Ma may just be a technical school, but they at least know how to do things to a minimal extent.

 

[Cynaic]

I recommend you do not apply simply because, with absolutely no prior clinical experience, you will be providing a huge disservice to the patients without having been through a formal MA training. Ma may just be a technical school, but they at least know how to do things to a minimal extent.

The position description implied that you begin as solely as a scribe and are trained on site for the additional responsibilities. I don't think I would be dropped into the thick of it without proper instruction but I can't say for sure. Also there are several students from my university working there and they may be doing all the MA duties for now for all I know. Thanks for your input and i'll keep it in mind.

 

[Cynaic]

Selfishly, I do like that “excessive display of enthusiasm” works because I am extremely outwardly enthusiastic/excitable/passionate. Even when it’s a con, I can’t rein it in very long.

Also extroverted here and feel like it may be a positive for me.

 

[Cynaic]

Btw let me just tell you that doctors are one of the flakiest people you’ll ever meet.

If there was a dollar for every time a doctor ghosted a pre-med, world hunger could be solved.

I've had similar ghosting experiences with professors when I tried to get research initially so I'm trying to keep my hopes at reasonable levels. Thanks for your input. I was also confused as to why he wouldn't tell them himself but the other volunteer that was there with me thinks he did it because he wants to make sure I actually want it. He did keep emphasizing enthusiasm and actually putting in the effort to make things happen so it may be a way of screening applicants. For all I know they only want students who just show up and actively pursue it, this is how I got my last two research jobs.

 

[907914]

The position description implied that you begin as solely as a scribe and are trained on site for the additional responsibilities. I don't think I would be dropped into the thick of it without proper instruction but I can't say for sure. Also there are several students from my university working there and they may be doing all the MA duties for now for all I know. Thanks for your input and i'll keep it in mind.

I keep forgetting how ass backwards the states are...In Washington, you need like the highest type of certification you can get to do full MA duties (like, National certification isn’t accepted in every state, but Washington certification is?) But then other states you just need your high school diploma or whatever...I guess if you are qualified and willing and the practice/physician is willing then go for it.

 

[907914]

Btw let me just tell you that doctors are one of the flakiest people you’ll ever meet.

If there was a dollar for every time a doctor ghosted a pre-med, world hunger could be solved.

Had a physician in the practice I work for say to me “I am on the board of directors for XXX medical school and the dean of admissions is my golfing buddy, I’ll put in a word for you.” I didn’t know how to tell him “Please don’t...” but luckily it was at the work Christmas party so we were all tipsy and he doesn’t remember a single thing. Doctors - full of promises.

 

[Cynaic]

I keep forgetting how ass backwards the states are...In Washington, you need like the highest type of certification you can get to do full MA duties (like, National certification isn’t accepted in every state, but Washington certification is?) But then other states you just need your high school diploma or whatever...I guess if you are qualified and willing and the practice/physician is willing then go for it.

Just checked and in my state it is legal although it appears I won't be able to train other MA's and it requires specific on the job training.

 

[shark bait hoo ha ha]

I was hired as an MA in NY for my gap year since I am an EMT. They won’t through you to the wolves. And they won’t let you do certain things like drawing blood if you need to be certified for it in your state. I would take this opportunity and run with it because it is a great experience. A lot of my experiences have come from physicians that I randomly met or had a family connection with. Yes some are flaky however if you keep in contact you’ll get in eventually.

 

[Tenk]

Had a physician in the practice I work for say to me “I am on the board of directors for XXX medical school and the dean of admissions is my golfing buddy, I’ll put in a word for you.” I didn’t know how to tell him “Please don’t...” but luckily it was at the work Christmas party so we were all tipsy and he doesn’t remember a single thing. Doctors - full of promises.

Umm, you underestimate the power of drunk golf buddies. That was a guaranteed acceptance.

 

[907914]

Umm, you underestimate the power of drunk golf buddies. That was a guaranteed acceptance.

Hey, if the powers at be make him remember or compel him to reach out during the cycle it a way that benefits me then cool. I just don’t want to know about or have an active part in gaming the system for my benefit.

 

[965978]

Hey, if the powers at be make him remember or compel him to reach out during the cycle it a way that benefits me then cool. I just don’t want to know about or have an active part in gaming the system for my benefit.

I wouldn’t necessarily consider it gaming the system. Especially since a single dean doesn’t have the sole power of admitting someone (for LCME accrediated schools at least).

Btw I’ve heard this happens all the time in residency applications. A major factor in a candidate’s rank position might be based on someone the program director personally knows who has worked with the candidate.

 

[907914]

I wouldn’t necessarily consider it gaming the system. Especially since a single dean doesn’t have the sole power of admitting someone (for LCME accrediated schools at least).

Btw I’ve heard this happens all the time in residency applications. A major factor in someone’s rank position might be based on someone the program director personally knows who has worked with the applicant.

To the first bolded: I guess the school is only in their 3rd year of the accreditation process....? But yah, I know it isn’t gaming the system necessarily. I don’t want my name floating around any ADCOM member until I actually apply, otherwise I feel they may think I ‘asked for a good word’ or something, and that would be perceived as unethical.

To the second bolded: I have heard the same. But I feel like it makes sense for residency as opposed to medical school. 1) MED school you are still a student whereas residency is a job interview 2) While Step 1 is the biggest deciding factor of your residency, It isn’t like medical school where getting the 94% vs the 99% is going to keep you out of anywhere, and those outside influences (like phone calls) have a lot more power.

 

[965978]

To the first bolded: I guess the school is only in their 3rd year of the accreditation process....? But yah, I know it isn’t gaming the system necessarily. I don’t want my name floating around any ADCOM member until I actually apply, otherwise I feel they may think I ‘asked for a good word’ or something, and that would be perceived as unethical.

To the second bolded: I have heard the same. But I feel like it makes sense for residency as opposed to medical school. 1) MED school you are still a student whereas residency is a job interview 2) While Step 1 is the biggest deciding factor of your residency, It isn’t like medical school where getting the 94% vs the 99% is going to keep you out of anywhere, and those outside influences (like phone calls) have a lot more power.

True. Btw step 1 isn’t the biggest factor for residency. Sure it can keep you out. But a high score has steeply diminishing returns. On the contrary there are some top medical schools (one in particular rhymes with Boshington University) that will essentially overlook some minor character flaws if you have a 527.

 

[southpaw3]

The position description implied that you begin as solely as a scribe and are trained on site for the additional responsibilities. I don't think I would be dropped into the thick of it without proper instruction but I can't say for sure. Also there are several students from my university working there and they may be doing all the MA duties for now for all I know. Thanks for your input and i'll keep it in mind.

I have a friend who did the exact job you're talking about (scribe/MA for private ortho office), and he had no clinical experience and did just fine! So I wouldn't worry about that 🙂 It's very common for MAs to be trained on the job, and I doubt you'll be doing any crazy MA stuff anyway since it's ortho and you're not drawing blood or giving shots (normally). Go get 'em! 🙂

 

[Tenk]

Hey, if the powers at be make him remember or compel him to reach out during the cycle it a way that benefits me then cool. I just don’t want to know about or have an active part in gaming the system for my benefit.

That’s not gaming the system. That’s normal stuff. Gaming the system is paying $500,000 to get into USC when you are as dumb as a potato.

 

[deleted804295]

Hi all,

So two days ago I applied for a paid scribe/MA (dual responsibilities) position at a private ortho practice. I have really little clinical experience so I expected to hear nothing back. Yesterday was my first hospital volunteer shift at a new program and during it a doctor walked in the room. He let me stay, talked to the patient then talked to me. I told him I recognized him as the owner of the practice I just applied to work at. He asked me a few questions then told me to "come in to the practice, tell them i'm your man and move your application to the top of the stack and set up an interview." I was busy today so i'm going in tomorrow at about 9:30 and going to bring a resume and dress up professionally. I plan to say "Hi, I'm xxxx and I applied for the scribe/MA position. I met Dr. x the other day and he strongly urged me to come in to express my strong interest/enthusiasm for the position and to discuss the possibility of setting up an interview". Please give me thoughts/advice?

I haven't done many professional interviews or gone after a position in this manner before. I've actually only ever held one job before and it was for just a summer. Thanks all for your time and input.

Yo you're so lucky. You're legit set.

I'm also applying to jobs soon. Need to make some bread over summer break.

 

[deleted804295]

I keep forgetting how ass backwards the states are...In Washington, you need like the highest type of certification you can get to do full MA duties (like, National certification isn’t accepted in every state, but Washington certification is?) But then other states you just need your high school diploma or whatever...I guess if you are qualified and willing and the practice/physician is willing then go for it.

Yeah I'm legit worried about some jobs in my state that are perfectly legit and with big corporations but don't need certifications.

My friend works at one in the healthcare setting and is putting a word in for me but it honestly feels like the US equivalent of Voluntourism. Aka doing work you're not qualified for.

 

[Cynaic]

Hey All,

Following up, I went in today. The woman in charge was very impressed with my initiative and glad I came in. She said she had 50 resumes she hadn't even started to look through and interviews wouldn't be for two weeks but wanted to interview me. We had an hour long interview that went wonderful. She said I seemed like a great fit and someone she wants to work with although final decisions wouldn't be made without the Dr. so she would talk to him when he came in. She even told me there's a class she wants me to take on the job in two weeks regarding some of the MA duties, introduced me to all the staff, gave me a tour, and told me where I would get scrubs if hired/which ones. Thanks all for your advice, i'm trying not to get my hopes up too much but it seems like I've got the job pending his approval.