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Sybil
 May 9, 08 - 11:52 PM |
Major problems with my externship =*(
So, I left in tears today...It's not as great as I though...not even close. Let me tell you why. This is VERY long-winded. 1. To get in, you have to drive into the campus and drive pass the security guard booth. They typically don't stop employees as they know them/what car they drive. My first day, I stopped, talked to the guard and told him I was a student. He was very nice and let me go through with no problems. The next day, the same guard was there in the morning, I stopped to tell him again (which I wouldn't have had a problem with), but he just waved me in, so I went. The next day, I was getting ready to stop when I seen the guard (a different one from the previous times) doing the whole hand-wave-motion thing, and the gate was up, so I went through. Later day, when I took my one hour break, I went home since I live only about five minutes from the place. I went back after a half an hour, and of course, I got stopped at the gate. The guard came out to talk to me and went pretty much crazy on me. He said "You just zipped through here this morning, you were speeding, you didn't bother to stop, you were speeding, you were driving like an idiot." etc. So, then I said "No." Before I could finish my statement he cut me off and said "Well, you're the only student that drives a black mustang. If you do one more stupid thing like that, I'm not going to let you park here, and I'll make you walk to work." I was just completely flabber-gasted and I didn't know what to say, so I just said "Okay." I felt like crying. 2. They have made me give two IM injections UNSUPERVISED. The MA that is my preceptor had me go into a room to give a patient a form to sign about getting a certain vaccine, then walked in a minute later, handed me the syrine, gauze, alcohol wipe, and band-aid, and said "You give it to her." then walked out. This happened twice. 3. On the topic of administrating injections, those injections I gave were drawn up by her. The MAs draw up the syringes every night before since they give so many of them. I was always taught NEVER to give an injection or a med that I did not prepare myself. I asked one of the other MAs and she just said "That's how our clinic runs." There are only two types of injections they give that clinical--One is a vaccine and one is a b-12. I can tell the difference because the b-12 is bright red and is 2 ccs, while the vaccine is clear and is 0.5 cc. She also signed off on the injection, but regardless...I don't like having to do that, AT ALL, and it's not even right/legal. 4. One of the doctors yelled at me twice today. The first time, I had to sit up front today and answer the phones (of course, they didn't tell me what to do, what to say, etc). One of the calls I got was from a nurse in the LTC center of this place. She told me that one of that particular doctor's patients fell and that I needed to tell her. So, I did. The doctor yelled at me and said "That's not my job, that's the NP's job, you're supposed to tell her, not me! Go page her and tell her." and gave me this really disgusted look. Later in the day, I had just gotten done with taking a patient's vitals, when one of the MAs told me to go tell that particular doctor that her patient was there. So, I did. The doctor got very rude and said "I already knew that, ok?" After that happened I went into the bathroom for a minute to cry. 4. They have had me call in Rx's, call in to make x-ray appointments, call in to verify insurance coverage ALL WITHOUT SHOWING ME HOW TO. I also do not have access to the patient's charts as they are on an electronic medical record system, and since I am not an employee, I cannot get onto the computers without having someone sign on. They also did not teach me how to use the system when I'm on it. 5. The MA that I'm supposed to be shadowing has only been there twice since I started, and ignores me most of the time when I am there. She is very cold towards me and makes me feel like I'm bothering her when I ask her something. The other MA is very quiet and rarely ever talks to me. I feel like an outcast. The only person there that has actually wanted to show me things and teach me things is the PA. He has been the nicest to me and the most willing to answer my questions in depth and pull me to the side when something unusual comes along, and explain in depth what it is/why it happens. After I left today, I got into my car and just broke down and cried. I got home, told my mother what was going on, and got so upset that I started to hyperventilate. I don't know what to do. I'm a student, I am there to learn and be taught...not be free labor for an understaffed team. They haven't bothered to actually watch me and make sure I'm doing things right/correct me when I'm wrong, they just tell me to do things, then make me feel like idiot when I mess up. I can't switch my extern site because the spring semester has already started, and I only have 5 weeks to complete 184 hours. If I drop out of this externship, I'll be out of $400 and have to pay $400 to take the externship/class in the fall. Please, help me out. Any advice or anything...I am so very upset right now. |
carilyn
May 10th, 2008 - 12:50 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Hugs to you. I am so sorry you are going through this. I could have written your exact post about my externship minus the clinical procedures they are letting you do. My site treated me like dirt. Wouldn't teach me any clinical procedures and I cried everyday for 11 weeks. My advice is make sure your instructor knows whats going on. 
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Clancy
May 10th, 2008 - 11:07 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Hugs from me too.... bless your heart, you are really going through a stressful time. I know that you want to learn & that's admirable, but if you choose to stay w/this extern site, you probablly need to lose that as a goal & make your new goal just getting through it & hope to learn a few things on your own along the way. Beleive me when I say that not all places are unwilling to teach. I haven't been in the field long, but I've had good experiences & horrible, like the one you've described... So, if you think you can "tolerate" (w/out putting a patient in danger)this place until you can move on? Can you (w/out crying or spilling your guts) talk to the PA & see if he/she might help w/the situation? Whatever you decide...stay...go/$400...do not beat yourself up!!! You are not to blame!! & We are here to support you!! |
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DG
May 10th, 2008 - 11:30 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
This happens more than people think,having a lousy externship. It doesn't get much attention though since those that went through it and ended up finding a job will repress those bad memories,act like it was just one of those things,or a "learning experience". Those who endured being treated like crap and then to top it off don't ever find a job in this field will usually just give up on this whole subject all together,and you won't see them on here. But I am. I wasn't wanted at the site I went to,the office manager didn't want anymore students but a teacher of mine talked her into it. I won't get into what I went through but to tell you to GET THAT SCHOOL OF YOURS INVOLVED IN WHAT IS GOING ON. Whoever is in charge of you from your school NEEDS to come there to the site to observe and then sit down with you and the OM to discuss what is going on,if only to talk about how you are just being thrown into things with no supervision. That is W-R-O-N-G. They are an office begging for a lawsuit from a patient. If other students have gone through trouble with this site then your school needs to remove it from their list! Enduring being treated badly and ignored is not what you need,it will affect your confidence which in turn WILL affect your ability to search hard for a job,which in some areas you have to do,search hard. So please INSIST the school gets involved,you are paying them and they need to step in and help you out. |
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Shelley
May 10th, 2008 - 11:41 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Dear Sybil, The first place I started my ex. at was very similiar. My opinion is that they are using you to fill in the gap of not having enough staff. I also was told to give injections on my own  . I called the AAMA to verify what I thought I knew, and yes, you need to be Supervised as a student. Learning how to give injections is not just giving the inj. but following thru from drawing it up properly. Do not let anyone bully you, this YOUR EXTERNSHIP! Not theirs.And you are there to put into practice what you have been studying for two years. If an MA asks you to speak w/ a Doc about anything, tell the MA ever so sweetly since you are a student and not an employee it really isn't your place. And smile.  Women in general are not always so nice to one another.And too often your exact senario is repeated over and over w/ other students. You have your very own scope of practice as a student. Follow it.Try to rectify this by speaking to your Instructorabout to how to handle this on your own, before having her speak to the office mgr.Don't create hostility were you don't have to. And lastly, always remember your experience here so someday when you have a student you will make them feel welcome and wanted.  Let us know how Monday goes, remember you have friends here 
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Jefff
May 10th, 2008 - 5:23 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Sybil, As a guy I'm always a bit reluctant to extend a hug to folks I don't know... Don't let them know they are getting under your skin. Externship sites get a variety of students. Some students, like the pre med, do nothing but watch the doctor. MA students are supposed to LEARN. Learning styles vary that is why in classes you, read about the subject, had a lecture, saw it done, and later had a competency to pass. Contact the your school externship instructor, let them know what is up. Think about what you are going to say. Talk to your preceptor. What would you do if you were employed there. It is obvious that you wouldn't want to work there, but they have a responsibility to uphold their commitment to the school and you. If they are incapable of fulfilling their commitment to effectively train and mentor you maybe they should rethink making those kind of arrangements. YOU ARE A STUDENT, NOT A CMA/RMA TEMP! I had to remind my externship site of my status and the contracts they make students sign just to train there. Do not use the word "work" use "train", you are there to train for work. |
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Sybil
May 10th, 2008 - 10:56 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Thanks for all of the advice/hugs everyone. I have my externship class on Monday, and our coordinator will hopefully be there. If not, I'm sure I can get her cell phone number from the program director (I used to have her cell number, but I got a new phone recently and lost her number). If she can't switch my site, I'm just going to have to stick with it, and if they try to get me to anything else shady, I will not hesitate to call OSHA or the AAMA and my school and possibly a lawyer. |
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Shelley
May 10th, 2008 - 11:19 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
There are MD offices that hire people right off the street and call them MA's, so what they are doing is not illegal. Where it gets sticky is the fact that your ex. site has a contract with the school to provide a place for students to do clinicals. Speak w/ the instRuctor about the best way to approach the clinical mgr. at your site, so you can have a "scope of practice" during your clinicals. Try not to approach this with a hostile attitude. You can make this work! Also, remember your clinical site is reference for future employers. I have my own mantra that I chant when things get tough...THIS TOO SHALL PASS
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Sybil
May 13th, 2008 - 5:40 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Long story short--Everything is much better. I talked to my externship coordinator, to the office manager, and to the MA that I'm shadowing, and everything is going good =) Thanks for all the support, everyone =) |
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DG
May 13th, 2008 - 6:47 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
GOOD,and I bet you feel a load off. But by any chance did you mention about seeing a lawyer to anyone? Just curious.......... |
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Sybil
May 13th, 2008 - 10:57 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
No, I didn't. |
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rosebud
May 14th, 2008 - 11:33 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
. I am hoping that every office is not as uncaring as the one you described. It almost makes me afraid to go into externship. Is there a way around this type of treatment. Can you change externships if you encounter this type of problem. |
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Sybil
May 14th, 2008 - 12:16 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
After I talked with them, things have gotten a lot better. Don't be scared about your externship. If you really do have a problem, your coordinator should be able to switch you (as long as you tell them a week or so into the externship). |
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Jennifer S
May 15th, 2008 - 10:02 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Sybil I am very glad that everything seems to be going much better for you!!!! I hope that I have a good experience when Im done. As an LNA, I had a rough time in the beginning with my co workers and stuff, and once I told them that I wasnt there to be pushed around or do anything illegal, they stopped. I know what its like to speak up and stand up for your self, and how much better that can make things! Good Luck in the future! 
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Cyrena
May 17th, 2008 - 2:59 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Ok. RE: Your problem number 2. That is not uncommon. WHy are you upest about this? This happend to me on my extern at Urgent Care. They expect you to have not only the knowledge, but the confidence in your clinical skills at your extern. After a certain point you arent going to shadow them anymore. YOu are going to be "working" as they are. Rooming Patients, getting vitals, taking blood, injections..etc, and yes, a lot WILL be unsupervised! You are going to be graded on your skills! Get used to it. Don't be surprised if you are unsupervised for your Veni's as well. If anything goes wrong, it's not your fault, so to speak. IT's theirs. ANd you should already be insured. So they arent worried too much. Unless something horrible goes wrong, like you stick a Patient with a needle after you stick yourself with the same one, and you are H.I.V positive. But is that common? no. |
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Shanna
May 17th, 2008 - 3:30 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Hello, I have been an M.A for only a year, and so far, I love it! I have done M.A work in Urgent Care, as well as Pediatrics. I have had horrible experiences with my extern, and wonderful experiences. In the midst of my 80 hour extern, i was let go of, but not for lack of clinical skills. I found my new extern, months later, and LOVED it there. I have to give credit to the first extern, for if I didn't have such a horrible experience with it, I would of not been able to have a sucessful second externship. I learned a LOT more with failure than with automatic success. I have to comment on your complaints , though. Number 3: its not that un-common, esp in Urgent Care to already have the Injections already drawn up. Every clinic does it differently, even if that is not very common or even heard of a lot. Also, if she signed off on it, thats not uncommon as well, only for the fact that you are the student, and SHE is taking liability on that injection. What reallly should of happened is, YOU should of just taken the initiative and signed off NEXT to her sign off. Why wait and get her permission? If she disagreed, you should of said something to the manager in charge, OR your externship coordinator at your school. Or whomever set you up at that exern site. number 4 :Doctors are human as well, not superhuman, and they are no better than you! If they become disrespectful, let them know that you felt they were rude to you and your feelings got hurt. A LOT of times, they aren't aware of the fact that they hurt your feelings. If this happens, I would ask another M.A "why the doctor was mad" and if you should say anything. If you have a good M.A working with you, they will talk to the doctor themselves to help smooth ruffled feathers. number 5 : That just doesnt make sense as to why they would even do that to you! I would of "complained" , but nicely, to the manager! That was wrong of them to have you use the computer system without a login name/password. I would of flat out asked them to show me how to use it! IF they had you call in RX, make X-ray appts, and call to verify insurance (Without showing you HOW), that is something that you should of put your foot down on, and demanded that someone teach you! I dont know you, but from what I am hearing, it sounds like you are hesitant to stand up for yourself, and in the medical field ESPECIALLY, you are going to have to make that a new priority of yours! You just stood there when the security guard was yelling at you , and you didnt say anything but mumble, "okay", then you walked away practically in tears. You HAVE TO DEVELOP thick skin as an M.A!!! NEXT, The important people you want to speak to regarding externship problems, is your SCHOOL externship coordinator /person! Keep in mind, you should of been told this from the beggining of your start date, that if you encounter any problems, do not hesitate to call the school! THEY should want to HELP YOU keep your extern as much as you, if not more! After all, they get money everytime a student of theirs graduates. sad but true. number 6: If the only person that was nice to you didnt have a clue to the problems you were having, then that makes me wonder if you getting "fired" from your externship could of been prevented. My suggestion, would of been to ask that P.A for assistance, and if he said he was unable to help you because time didn't allow him, then kindly ask him would he please ask someone else, such as an M.A there, to help you. They would of listend to the P.A, if not You. As for you having only weeks left to complete your externship,......you need to speak to someone at your school, that deals with finance. If you re-enroll, your payments may be post-poned, and since you got fired from your extern, it sounds like its the schools responsibility to find you another extern!! What school do you even go to? And why do YOU have to pay for your externship? That SHOULD really be part of your schooling as an M.A. |
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Jennifer
May 17th, 2008 - 7:43 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
To Cyrena, As an extern you are NOT supposed to be unsupervised. That is why you have a "preceptor". They are supposed to watch your skills. Later on, when she is actually hired, then that is the time to be left alone. It is ILLEGAL here to leave people alone, mistakes can be made, and lawsuits can form. 
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PBT
May 17th, 2008 - 11:25 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Amen to that. NOBODY should be left unsupervised AT FIRST if they are doing an invasive procedure to a patients's BODY. That would be injections and venipunctures. I saw what the phlebotomy training was like in a typical medical assistant program and a LOT is left out. Not once were those students taught about nerve damage,NOT ONCE. |
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Cyrena
May 19th, 2008 - 9:00 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Well, I was unsupervised practically the second day on my extern at the Urgent Care. They basically said "go for it" and I did Depo shots and TB and MMR injections. I really don't see what the problem would be , They teach you the skills for almost a year in school. They know externs have those skills, they are insured, they know how to document correctly, they know what to do. Sounds pretty basic to me. I didn't have any problems..... Whats the difference between an extern who is insured , and a M.A emplyee, and say....the M.A employee makes a needle stick mistake, and the student extern doesnt? I dont see the problem. AAMA or not. |
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Jennifer S
May 20th, 2008 - 11:38 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Well, I was unsupervised practically the second day on my extern at the Urgent Care. They basically said "go for it" and I did Depo shots and TB and MMR injections. I really don't see what the problem would be , They teach you the skills for almost a year in school. They know externs have those skills, they are insured, they know how to document correctly, they know what to do. Sounds pretty basic to me. I didn't have any problems..... Whats the difference between an extern who is insured , and a M.A emplyee, and say....the M.A employee makes a needle stick mistake, and the student extern doesnt? I dont see the problem. AAMA or not. WOW  Cyrena, you are VERY blind if you DONT see the problem with that. You got L U C K Y...Very lucky. As your "preceptors" they are supposed to guide you and shadow you in the office to make sure you are doing everything correctly. I HIGHLY doubt you have NEVER made a mistake since you started as an MA...Not only that, IF a mistake HAD happened, you would have lost your job, and once you make a large-scale mistake, unfortunately, that WILL follow you around. It can be fairly difficult to find a job after something happens that happened to be your fault. Patients tend to look badly on the DOCTOR if one of the staff has done something incorrectly. Its not just your job and reputation, its the entire office's. You are a representative of that practice. Furthermore, they really DONT know if the extern HAS those skills. They are assuming, and that can also lead to mistakes. If you are assuming that "they know how to document correctly" you are mistaken. Mistakes are made, thats that. We are human. Also,have you ever researched on-line about how much doctor's have to pay for Medical Liability Insurance?? Its through the roof! And they have to trust that you actually are helping the practice not hurting it. I think that you should be taking a different approach to your job......
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Sybil
May 20th, 2008 - 12:25 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Uhm....I didn't get fired from my externship, and as I said, things are MUCH better and I am still there. I simply did not think it was appropriate to have a student, on her first day, giving injections unsupervised. There's a big difference between giving your lab partner an IM injection consisting of sterile saline with a seasoned RN watching you to ensure it is done correctly, compared to a student giving someone a potent vaccine injection all alone. |
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PBT
May 20th, 2008 - 4:35 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Not to mention MANY medical assistant schools sometimes don't get the chance to have a doctor come into the school to supervise injections. That was what we were told had to happen and so we NEVER got to practice on each other. This is very common,I have talked to others who say they never got to practice also. And even if we had gotten to practice,it would have been over the course of a few days,not the full year. |
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Cyrena
Aug 29th, 2008 - 4:52 AM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Hey, Jennifer. Yes, I stand by my word when I say that I have NEVER made a mistake as an M.A, and that was a while ago when I was a student onmy extern. AND furthermore, you dont need a doctor to come into the class to teach how to give injections or take blood, for the instructors at our school are all CMA's, and their credentials are venerable. They have to of had experience as a M.A for some amnt of time, as well as be a current CMA! Oh and FYI, I am now a CMA. Still , with no mistakes!!!
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Jennifer S
Aug 29th, 2008 - 6:53 PM |
Re: Major problems with my externship =*(
Well Cerena, that is just fantastic. :-/ It is nice that you have never made a mistake. I have never made a mistake either, but I am not immune to it...I wish you luck in all your endeavors..... 
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