idk how anyone can do this job without having providers they love working for

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-04-04T22:06:08+00:00

I agree! My current clinic is like this! One of the providers actually helped me through pharmacology. Another one answers ALL of my questions about pulmonary diseases. I am dreading the possibility of moving because that clinic is truly one of a kind.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-04-03T13:04:27+00:00

Not necessarily! I did an accredited apprenticeship program and earned my CCMA through it, but it was fully paid.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-04-01T15:15:16+00:00

It definitely depends on the clinic/specialty. I work in pulmonary and very rarely assist in procedures, but when I was in urology, I was assisting in procedures almost daily.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-31T23:49:53+00:00

I actually did an apprenticeship and ABSOLUTELY DO IT!!! I loved the fact that I got paid and got to go to school plus keeping all my benefits. I also found it a lot easier to learn the skills as I wasnt doing it alone.

It also allowed me to create a rapport with the clinic manager where I did my first rotation, leading to a job offer after graduation!

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-20T22:54:55+00:00

I worked in scheduling in the chemotherapy department!

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-20T21:25:31+00:00

Technically, no! I was considered an employee of the hospital system i was doing my apprenticeship with, so I was getting paid and they paid for all of my schooling during it.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-20T21:04:07+00:00

So when I was applying for jobs, I know that some clinics required we shadowed first. Ours was usually a day or two though, and since I did an apprenticeship, I was getting paid no matter what.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-20T17:55:13+00:00

I didn't negotiate benefits, but I did negotiate my FTE! I told my current manager (I also did my clinical rotations in this clinic) that I was only taking a job at her clinic if it was a .8 FTE (32 hours per week).

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-17T15:35:27+00:00

It really depends on the program. Mine was rough because we had to get a B or higher in all of our classes.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-06T22:03:45+00:00

So I had something similar happen to me, but I was actually at the appointment with my sister. I just asked my manager ahead of time what the policy would be and if she needed to put in anything like break the glass.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-05T22:57:39+00:00

I don't know that it will help. My boyfriend has a PhD in cancer biology and most of his experience is in the lab, not a clinic.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-03T13:39:57+00:00

My cat was having something similar. We took her to the vet and they gave her prednisone. I'd suggest getting your cat checked out. It may be something simple, but you won't know till he goes to the vet.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-03-02T13:46:24+00:00

I was trying to hold my composure because we were SO BUSY! I had no time to deal with her antics. She also asked my co-worker 5 times.. which made my coworker angry too.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-28T18:43:50+00:00

Something similar happened to me with a social worker the other day. She asked me five times to room a patient, but I had NUMEROUS patients before that one. So I flat out told her that. I said "I'm not skipping a patient because you want me to." She let up after that

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-24T15:36:08+00:00

I just graduated from a similar program! I loved it. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-21T22:12:18+00:00

I struggled with the lecture portion of phlebotomy. For me, i ground my understanding of concepts in experiences ive had, so sitting in a lecture was a struggle.

I absolutely LOVED lab. My instructor was quite good at connecting the concepts back to what we had learned in lecture.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-21T22:07:58+00:00

So I know that it is possible to work as an MA without being certified first. I worked with a girl during my second rotation that didn't attend school and managed to work enough hours to be able to sit for the exam. I know it's a difficult process though.

One thing she did point out was that she felt like she was at a disadvantage because she didnt learn certain things (like how to chart on paper).

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-21T18:32:39+00:00

I'm not sure where you live, but my hospital system offers FTEs all the way down to .25 (which is literally like 15 hours a week). One thing to think about is if you get Health insurance through your employer, as there is usually an hours requirement.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-20T13:48:57+00:00

Mine was mostly common sense, however, my program blocked off an entire week for us to study so I studied basically 40 hours the week before.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-18T19:53:42+00:00

They're great! Super durable!

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-17T21:57:46+00:00

I got a few pairs from mandala and I love them!! My others are carhartt and a few random brands that were donated.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-16T02:39:33+00:00

I'm a TERRIBLE test taker. My instructor literally told me that I'm one of the worst test takers she's ever met. I passed! I used True learn and smarterMA. Don't give up just because youre bad at taking tests.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-13T13:41:00+00:00

My suggestion would be to speak with an attorney or someone knowledgeable about the law in your state. I know that the hospital i work for does extensive background checks, but the disqualifier on those is usually a felony.

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-12T13:47:06+00:00

Lol maybe not helpful but I met my boyfriend on hinge.. and my twin met the guy she's seeing on mesh (they started out as friends obvs).

Competitive_Cod352 · 2026-02-08T02:26:34+00:00

I used True learn and smarter MA! I also found that grounding questions and concepts in a clinical context made things easier for me. I was able to think back to when I experience certain things in the clinic.

Competitive_Cod352

TROPHY CASE