MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in Hawaii
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Aloha State. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
1,400+
HI Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
650+
Annual Openings
Why Get an MAA Externship?
A Medical Administrative Assistant externship gives you real-world front-office healthcare experience that employers value. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical secretaries and administrative assistants earn a median salary of $40,000+ with strong job growth. Hands-on experience sets you apart from other candidates.
An externship helps you:
- ✓ Practice scheduling, patient check-in, and EHR systems in a real medical environment
- ✓ Build professional references from healthcare supervisors
- ✓ Discover which medical office setting fits you best (primary care, specialty, hospital)
- ✓ Convert your externship into a job offer — many sites hire their externs
New to healthcare? EHired offers free training to prepare you for AMCA MAAC certification. An externship is optional but highly recommended for building confidence and connections.
⚠️ Important: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This self-managed approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.
How to Find an Externship in Hawaii
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a front-office healthcare externship.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for healthcare facilities with front-office administrative staff:
- ✓ Physician practices — Primary care, family medicine, internal medicine
- ✓ Specialty clinics — Primary care, family medicine, urgent care, telehealth, military healthcare
- ✓ Hospital admissions/registration — Front desk, patient access
- ✓ Urgent care centers — FastMed, Concentra, CityMD
- ✓ Medical billing companies — Revenue cycle management
- ✓ Health insurance offices — Claims processing, member services
Prepare Your Approach
Get ready before contacting sites:
- ✓ Update your resume — Include EHired training, any office/admin experience
- ✓ Prepare a pitch — "I'm completing MAA training and seeking hands-on front-office experience"
- ✓ Highlight your skills — Computer proficiency, customer service, attention to detail
- ✓ Be flexible — Offer to work their schedule, start immediately
- ✓ Dress professionally — Business casual for in-person visits
Make Contact
Reach out to facilities directly:
- ✓ Call first — Ask for the office manager or practice administrator
- ✓ Visit in person — Drop off resume, ask to speak with manager
- ✓ Email if provided — Brief, professional, attach resume
- ✓ Explain the arrangement — Unpaid, flexible hours, eager to learn
- ✓ Follow up — If no response in 1 week, call again politely
Complete Your Externship
Make the most of your experience:
- ✓ Track your hours — Log date, hours, and tasks performed
- ✓ Learn actively — Ask questions, volunteer for tasks
- ✓ Be reliable — Show up on time, every time
- ✓ Build relationships — Get to know staff, show appreciation
- ✓ Ask about openings — Express interest in future employment
Sample Script: Calling a Medical Office
"Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I'm completing a Medical Administrative Assistant training program and I'm looking to gain hands-on front-office experience through an externship. I'm wondering if your practice might have room for an extern? I'm flexible with scheduling, I'm proficient with computers and EHR systems, and I'd be happy to help with patient check-in, scheduling, phones, and whatever the front desk needs. Would it be possible to speak with the office manager about this opportunity?"
Key points to emphasize: You're trained, you're free help, you're flexible, and you can handle phones and computers. Many medical offices are understaffed at the front desk and welcome extra help.
Where to Find Externships in Hawaii
Hawaii has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Oahu (Honolulu County)
Hawaii's population center with 70% of state residents. Queen's, Kaiser, and military facilities.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
The Queen's Health Systems physicians, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific Health physicians, Straub Medical Center, Castle Medical Center clinics
Specialty Clinics:
Hawaii Heart, Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii, Hawaii Dermatology, Queen's Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Queen's Medical Center, Kaiser Moanalua, Straub Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, Kapiolani Medical Center
💡 Oahu has most opportunities. Military healthcare (Tripler, Pearl Harbor) accessible with clearance. Very high cost of living.
Big Island (Hawaii County)
Hilo and Kona communities with Hawaii Health Systems and Kona Community Hospital.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Bay Clinic, Hilo Medical Center physicians, Kona Community Hospital clinics, West Hawaii Community Health
Specialty Clinics:
Kona Cardiology, Big Island Orthopedics, Hawaii Island Dermatology
Hospital Systems:
Hilo Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, North Hawaii Community Hospital
💡 Big Island has healthcare shortages, especially in rural areas. Housing more affordable than Oahu.
Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai)
Tourism-driven economy with Maui Health and community health centers.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Maui Medical Group, Kaiser Maui Lani, Maui Health physicians, Malama I Ke Ola Health Center
Specialty Clinics:
Maui Cardiology, Valley Isle Orthopedics, Maui Dermatology, Pacific Cancer Institute
Hospital Systems:
Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Molokai General Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital
💡 Maui has resort community healthcare needs. Molokai and Lanai are very small, isolated communities.
Kauai County
Garden Isle with Wilcox Medical Center and community health centers.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Kauai Medical Clinic, Wilcox Health physicians, Ho'ola Lahui Hawaii, Garden Island Medical
Specialty Clinics:
Kauai Cardiology, Kauai Orthopedic, Island Dermatology
Hospital Systems:
Wilcox Medical Center, Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital
💡 Kauai is small but has consistent healthcare demand. Tourism and retirees drive volume. Tight-knit community.
What You'll Learn During Your Externship
A front-office healthcare externship exposes you to real administrative workflows. Here are skills you'll develop:
Appointment Scheduling
Booking, rescheduling, and managing patient appointments. Learning scheduling software and optimizing provider calendars.
Patient Check-In/Out
Greeting patients, verifying demographics, collecting copays, updating contact information, and discharge procedures.
EHR/EMR Systems
Navigating electronic health records like Epic, Cerner, or Athena. Entering data, scanning documents, managing patient charts.
Insurance Verification
Verifying patient coverage, understanding copays/deductibles, prior authorizations, and eligibility checks.
Billing Basics
Understanding CPT and ICD codes, charge entry, payment posting, and patient billing inquiries.
Phone & Communication
Professional phone etiquette, message taking, patient callbacks, and coordinating with clinical staff.
Ready to Start Your MAA Career in Hawaii?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation