MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in {{state_name}}
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Pelican State. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
4,500+
LA Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
2,100+
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 {{state_name}}
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, cardiology, oncology, trauma, hurricane medicine, tropical/infectious disease
- ✓ 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 {{state_name}}
{{state_name}} has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
New Orleans Metro (Orleans, Jefferson Parishes)
Louisiana's cultural capital with Ochsner, LCMC Health, and Tulane.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Ochsner Health physicians, LCMC Health physicians, Tulane Doctors, Touro physicians, Children's Hospital physicians
Specialty Clinics:
Ochsner Heart and Vascular, Ochsner Orthopedics, Ochsner Dermatology, Ochsner Cancer Institute
Hospital Systems:
Ochsner Medical Center, University Medical Center New Orleans, Tulane Medical Center, Touro Infirmary, Children's Hospital
💡 New Orleans has 40% of Louisiana healthcare jobs. Ochsner is state's largest employer. Unique culture and lifestyle.
Baton Rouge Metro (East Baton Rouge Parish)
State capital with Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General, and LSU Health.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, Baton Rouge General physicians, LSU Healthcare Network, Primary Care Plus
Specialty Clinics:
Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Bone & Joint Clinic, Dermatology Associates of Baton Rouge, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer
Hospital Systems:
Our Lady of the Lake Regional, Baton Rouge General, Woman's Hospital, Lane Regional, Ochsner Baton Rouge
💡 Baton Rouge is Louisiana's 2nd largest city. LSU Health provides academic training. State government healthcare jobs.
Shreveport/Northwest (Caddo, Bossier Parishes)
LSU Health Shreveport and Willis-Knighton Health System.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
LSU Health Shreveport physicians, Willis-Knighton Physician Network, Christus Health Shreveport physicians, WK Pierremont physicians
Specialty Clinics:
Willis-Knighton Heart Institute, Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana, Dermatology Center of Louisiana, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Willis-Knighton Medical Center, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Christus Highland Medical Center, WK Pierremont
💡 Shreveport is healthcare hub for Ark-La-Tex region. LSU Health Shreveport is academic center. Lower cost of living than New Orleans.
Acadiana/Southwest (Lafayette, Calcasieu Parishes)
Cajun country with Ochsner Lafayette and Lake Charles Memorial.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Ochsner Lafayette physicians, Our Lady of Lourdes physicians, Lake Charles Memorial physicians, Iberia Medical Center clinics
Specialty Clinics:
Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Acadiana Orthopedic, Lafayette Dermatology, Ochsner Cancer Acadiana
Hospital Systems:
Ochsner Lafayette General, Our Lady of Lourdes, Lake Charles Memorial, Christus Ochsner St. Patrick
💡 Acadiana has unique Cajun culture. Oil/gas industry drives economy and healthcare demand. French heritage still present.
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 {{state_name}}?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MAA externships in {{state_name}}: