A guideline about the best ways to obtain an externship.
- Timing is everything!
You can call/connect with offices after week 3 in the Dental Assistant program and after week 8 in the Medical Assistant program. - Use your community to your advantage!
Treat the externship as a job search since you will be reaching out to offices in your area. Ask for the Office Manager, introduce yourself as a student in our program and ask about their externship availability. Keep a running list of at least 5 offices you contact; their names, emails, phone number, and their responses. - You can reach out to multiple offices based on your interest in the field!
Dental Assistant Program
Periodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatrics, General Dentistry, Endodontics.
Medical Assistant Program
Family Medicine-(best exposure), Urgent Cares, ER facilities, Pediatric clinics, Cardiology, Med-spas, Allergy clinics, Podiatry clinics, 24 hour clinics, Dermatology clinics, ENT-Ear, Nose & Throat,
If you have a great connection with your personal dentist or medical clinic, we recommend connecting with those offices first! - Have your resume updated and ready!
You will be updating your resume in the program to reflect the skills and processes you have learned! Make sure you update your resume to include the name of your medical/dental assistant school as your most recent education and expected completion date.
On the objective or summary section of your resume, have a sentence that states you are currently "seeking an externship" and why you would be the best fit! - Local Job Boards!
You can look up local medical/dental assistant jobs online/in your area and connect with the offices to see if they are also open for externships as well! - Stay in touch!
Don't forget when you complete your externship, you can ask the office if they are currently in their hiring season or if they recommend any sister offices that are hiring to get connected! Please save your externship evaluation forms as they are an excellent addition to your resume after you update it to reflect your completed externship.
Watch the video below for more externship insights!