Medical Assisting Interview Tips
Once you’ve completed your medical assistant degree, diploma or certificate program, prepared your resume and started applying for jobs, the next step is the interview. Your medical assistant training program will have provided you with all the knowledge and skills needed to work as a general, clinical or administrative medical assistant. The key to success is to communicate this clearly and confidently in a job interview. It’s a good idea to practice your answers to commonly asked medical assistant interview questions so that you are fully prepared on the day.
Example Medical Assistant Interview Questions
Although these are examples of the type of questions likely to be asked at interviews for medical assisting jobs, different employers will have different interview techniques. These sample questions can help you prepare for an interview in advance. However, you can expect to be asked additional questions related to the specific requirements and duties of the position you’re applying for, as well as the type of healthcare facility or doctor’s office where the job is.
Why do you believe you are the best applicant for this position?
The key here is to relate your particular skills and qualities to the needs of the employer. It’s worth researching the company’s values and mission in advance so you know what type of employee they are looking for. It is important to sound confident without appearing arrogant.
What medical assisting experience do you have?
Give a clear answer here. Even if you’ve only recently finished your degree and this will be your first entry level job, you can discuss any externships or voluntary roles you had while completing your training program. Make it clear that you are comfortable working with patients.
Give an example of a challenging experience with a patient and describe how you dealt with it.
Employers love to hear real life examples of your experiences and how you handled difficult situations, so make sure you have a few stories ready to answer this type of question. It is important to focus on the positives and to communicate how professional, efficient and compassionate you are.
What are your weaknesses?
This is a common general interview question for any job applicant, not just medical assistants. The trick is to cite negative traits that can be presented in a positive light, such as being a perfectionist. You could say you don’t like to have outstanding tasks, so you tend to complete work ahead of schedule.
What aspect of being a medical assistant do you enjoy least?
Don’t be caught out by this question and begin complaining about the working hours, salary or any other aspect of the job. Instead, you could say you would like to have more responsibilities so you can be more helpful to patients and doctors.
How would your current or previous employer describe you?
Try to list all your traits that are important to being a medical assistant, such as your ability to pay great attention to detail and to remain calm when handling difficult patients. The interviewer is likely to ask your former employer for a reference, so be truthful and list the traits they are likely to have seen in you.
How do you plan to become a better medical assistant?
Your answer to this will show how dedicated you are to a career as a medical assistant. Cite any professional organizations you belong to, which journals you read and whether you plan to take further classes, or become Registered or Certified. Try to relate these actions to how they will help improve your skills to benefit the medical assistant profession.
Look the Part
You will be judged on your appearance, so choose your outfit to make a favorable first impression. Dress smartly, make sure you shine your shoes and wear only subtle accessories.
Give Yourself Time
You will want to feel calm and in control throughout the interview, so arriving late will not help! Give yourself plenty of time by preparing your outfit and getting everything you need to take with you ready the night before. Plan your route in advance and allow yourself extra time for unexpected delays, such as heavy traffic or trouble finding a parking space. You might want to do a trial run beforehand, so you get an idea of how long your journey will take and where the nearest parking lot is. If you arrive early and have to wait in reception before being called to interview, remember to take a few deep breaths and stay calm.
By preparing for the interview as best you can, arriving punctually, dressing smartly and being polite, you increase your chances of getting the medical assistant job you want.
