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Talia, Medical Assistant OR EMT at Medical Clinic and San Diego Ambulance for EMT: Advize Career Interview
A career path in medicine doesn't always follow a straight line.
This interview reveals a journey from theater and psychology degrees to a fulfilling career as a Medical Assistant and EMT. The work involves diverse responsibilities—patient intake, assisting providers, extensive documentation—and requires teamwork, communication, and patience.
While challenges exist, such as being underestimated due to age, the rewards of helping people and witnessing positive patient outcomes are immense.
The interview highlights the importance of adaptability and emphasizes opportunities for undergraduates, including medical scribe roles, front desk positions, and EMT/Medical Assistant positions, often with on-the-job training.
A strong work ethic, a proactive attitude, and involvement in extracurricular activities, even unrelated to medicine, build valuable transferable skills for a career in this exciting and impactful field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Talia Wexler
Medical Assistant OR EMT
Medical Clinic and San Diego Ambulance for EMT
Loyola Marymount University
N/A
Entertainment, Music & Arts, Fine Arts, Music
Healthcare
Medical
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of an EMT at San Diego Ambulance
Talia's career path was initially unconventional, starting with a theater and psychology degree and an event planning internship in Israel, where a witnessed accident sparked an interest in medicine. This led to accelerated EMT training, ambulance work, and a current role as a medical assistant, showcasing a journey from unexpected beginnings to a fulfilling career in healthcare.
Main Responsibilities Of A Medical Assistant At A Medical Clinic
As a medical assistant, Talia's main responsibilities include "assisting the providers when they see patients," encompassing tasks such as room preparation, patient intake ("getting their vitals"), and procedural support, including "taking notes, scribing as well." This multifaceted role demonstrates the breadth of responsibilities in medical assisting.
A Day In The Life Of A Medical Assistant At A Medical Clinic
A typical day for Talia as a medical assistant begins around 8:15 AM with room preparation and chart preparation, including "printing out labs" and medication lists. The remainder of the day involves patient intake, vital signs collection, assisting providers during appointments, and thorough room cleaning and restocking, concluding around 4:00 PM.
Most Important Skills For A Medical Assistant At Medical Clinic
Talia, a Medical Assistant and EMT, identifies teamwork as a crucial skill, emphasizing that "everyone working there is working as a team" in a medical setting. Effective communication and patience are also highlighted as essential for navigating the challenges and collaborative nature of the job.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Medical Assistant At A Medical Clinic
Talia enjoys the learning opportunities and diverse medical exposure in their current role as a Medical Assistant/EMT, stating that they "get to learn a lot and see a lot of different medical conditions," which directly supports their goal of attending PA school. This experience also allows Talia to "make a difference and help people," by assisting with prescriptions and serving as a crucial point of contact for patients.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Medical Assistant At A Medical Clinic
Talia's biggest challenge as a Medical Assistant and EMT is "looking really young," which often leads patients and colleagues to underestimate their abilities and training. This perception, despite having the necessary qualifications, significantly impacts how Talia's expertise is received in their roles.
Favorite Parts Of Working In A Medical Clinic As A Medical Assistant
Talia enjoys seeing "people make a difference in people's lives," finding fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact of medical professionals and the patient's journey from initial state to recovery. This highlights a deep sense of purpose and satisfaction derived from the career in medicine.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Medical Industry, According To A Medical Assistant At Medical Clinic
Medical professionals who thrive are "go-getters" with "a larger end goal," often aspiring to further education in fields like medicine, physician assisting, or nursing. This drive and ambition are key traits for success in the medical assisting and EMT fields.
What A Medical Assistant At A Medical Clinic Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Medical Industry
Talia, a Medical Assistant and EMT, revealed a surprising aspect of the medical field: the extensive "paperwork and documentation," describing it as "a lot" and impacting time spent on other job duties. Despite this, Talia affirmed the career's ultimate "rewarding" nature.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Medical Assistants And EMTs
Entry-level medical field positions for undergraduates include medical scribe roles— "a cool position because you can learn a lot"— and front desk administration. For hands-on patient care, EMT and medical assistant positions are options, requiring training or certification, although some medical assistant jobs may offer on-the-job training.
Significant Career Lesson From an EMT at San Diego Ambulance
Talia, a Medical Assistant and EMT, emphasizes the critical importance of "flexibility" in navigating the unpredictable medical field, where "patient conditions and medical knowledge" are constantly evolving. This adaptability, Talia explains, is key to successfully facing unforeseen challenges and preparing for whatever comes next in their career.
College Experiences That Helped An EMT At San Diego Ambulance Succeed
Even without a defined career path in undergrad, Talia's involvement in numerous clubs and leadership roles, including president of an acapella group and Jewish Student Life, developed crucial skills. Their theater major further enhanced communication and teamwork abilities, contributing significantly to success as a Medical Assistant/EMT.
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