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S. S.

06-13-10

Extern: 05/2010-06/2010

My Externship

            Over the last six weeks I have spent close to 180 hours at AnewSKIN Dermatology with Dr. Rosio and his staff in order to complete my medical assisting externship.  While I had an idea of what this time would be like, there were many surprises along the way.  I was allowed to participate in exciting procedures and interact with patients on a day to day basis, taught many different techniques, and there was never a boring moment.  My overall experience at AnewSKIN Dermatology so far exceeded my highest expectations of what my externship would be like, I am left feeling sad that it is almost over.

            One of the first shocks I had was around my second week when I learned there would be a “MOHS Day” (Skin Cancer Surgery, real-time frozen section mapping with highest cure rate and least scar/most cosmetic) and the doctor was going to actually perform this in the office.  For some reason I had expected surgical type procedures to take place in a different location, with a team of doctors, and extensive patient monitoring equipment.  Little did I know, Dr. Rosio is a surgical team all on his own! With the help of his assistants of course.  Part two of this shock came when I was not only involved in assisting these surgeries, but was asked to “buzz” the doctor's implement with the cautery.  I wasn't sure of what was going to happen when I did this, but the crackling sound and absence of bleeding afterward clued me in.  As always, Dr. Rosio later explained the tool and its process in a way I could actually understand, which brings me to my next shock.

            Once I was able to room patients and assist Dr. Rosio on my own, (without my training MA Nicole) I discovered that he genuinely cared about teaching me.  He not only took the time to make sure I understood what was going on with the patient, but wanted me to learn how to chart correctly and comprehend it.  Even though at times this slowed him down, he never showed any sign of irritation or impatience with me and I very much appreciated that.  Learning knew things can be a difficult process and it helped a great amount to have an amazing teacher, Dr. Rosio, and trainer, Nicole.

            When I asked my school career counselor to place me in a dermatology office, it was mainly because I thought it would be the most interesting.  I did not at the time realize I would be in an office that offers cosmetic surgery, including face lifts.  I have to say the most exciting aspect of my externship was in fact the “S-Lift” I saw just last week.  Watching portions of a person's face literally moving outward from their face was more intense than I can describe, and bruising/swelling aside, the patient looked great the next day.  That day was also the only time I performed injections since I last practiced in school, which I have to say carried more weight since the medication was actually real and had purpose. 

            The second most exciting element at AnewSKIN Dermatology was the laser machines.  I didn't expect there to be machines that seem to magically help remove unwanted fat, wrinkles, pigmentation, hair, and blood vessels.  It was fun to help patient's improve their appearance, especially the day a patient found out she could lighten the port wine stain on the middle of her face.  Her reaction was one I will never forget, and I can only imagine how many other similar memories Dr. Rosio must have.  Of course my less than pleasant memories of the laser machines are of the smells, especially from laser hair removal treatments!

            I learned so much just in the last six weeks, it feels more like twenty!  It is hard to believe that my time is almost done and I will soon be looking for a permanent place of work as an employee rather than extern.  I feel that I have gained knowledge in a variety of different aspects to a medical office, and not just pertaining to dermatology.  By rooming patients and going over their chief complaints throughout each day, I believe I have developed patient interaction skills which are vital to any medical assistant.  Knowing which questions to ask the patient is important in order to gain a thorough history for the doctor.  The more complete the story, the better the patient care.

            The most important thing I feel I am taking away from my externship however, is a comfort level in the medical office that I wasn't sure I would achieve.  Initially I was worried that I wasn't going to possess the confidence in myself necessary to work in such a professional atmosphere, but I have proven myself wrong.  I am now feeling much more capable of the day to day scheduling in that I find myself looking ahead to see if there are appointments I can set up for.  Are there implements or trays that need to be set up, machines that need to be warmed up and placed in a room, things of that nature. 

I know that I was very lucky to be placed with Dr. Rosio at AnewSKIN Dermatology and I am eternally grateful to him and his staff for taking me in and making my externship so completely wonderful.  Thank you Dr. Rosio!!