CMA externship in renal/urology

[catlady113]

I am placed in a renal/urology office for my 240 hours for my C.M.A externship. I searched the MA boards to see if anyone had anything to offer on what they do but there was nothing. What should I expect?

The office manager told me for the first 4-5 days I would be doing front office than for the rest of my hours I would be doing back office. They have a lab on site and I know I will be doing urinalysis, phlebotomy, taking patient history, vitals, but is there anything else I can expect that is specific in these areas?

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Consider it a bonus of sorts. You will be exposed to a multitude of disease processes, and to a lot of very challenging patients in terms of comorbidities.

As far as what an MA does in these offices--be prepared to be busy, and play the role of coordinator--phones, follow-up, dealing with outpatient dialysis clinics, lab, calling in scripts, making appts., etc.)

[jonorato]

i worked as a CMA in urology and we did it all! straight cath, place foleys, draw blood, run UA's, assist with procedures (cystoscopy, prostate biopsy, vasectomy, etc). We did NOT do phone triage, the RNs handled that.

We scheduled pt's for office visits, obtained preauthorizations, called back "normal" lab results, called in Rx, organized paperwork for surgeons.

Man, I wouldn't change it for the world! Prepare to see & do a lot! Take every opportunity to absorb as much info as you can & seize every opportunity to practice your skills or learn new skills! Treat every day like it is a job interview, you might just get offered a job at the end. Be prepared to run b/c it's a fast paced environment.

Let us know how you like it. :)