MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in Maine
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Pine Tree State. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
1,500+
ME Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
700+
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 Maine
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, rural health, geriatrics, telehealth
- ✓ 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 Maine
Maine has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Portland/Southern Maine (Cumberland, York Counties)
Maine's population center with Maine Medical Center and InterMed.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
MaineHealth physicians, InterMed, Martins Point Health Care, Greater Portland Health, Community Health Options
Specialty Clinics:
Maine Cardiology Associates, Spectrum Orthopaedics, SkinCare Physicians of Maine, Maine Medical Cancer Care
Hospital Systems:
Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Southern Maine Health Care, York Hospital
💡 Portland has 50% of Maine healthcare jobs. MaineHealth is state's largest employer. Accessible to Boston by train.
Central Maine (Androscoggin, Kennebec Counties)
Lewiston-Auburn and Augusta with Central Maine Healthcare and MaineGeneral.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Central Maine Medical Group, MaineGeneral Medical Center physicians, Community Health and Counseling, Kennebec Pediatrics
Specialty Clinics:
Central Maine Heart and Vascular, Central Maine Orthopaedics, Augusta Dermatology, MaineGeneral Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Central Maine Medical Center, MaineGeneral Medical Center, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
💡 Central Maine has lower cost of living than Portland. State government jobs in Augusta. Growing healthcare market.
Bangor/Eastern Maine (Penobscot County)
Northern Maine's hub with Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Northern Light Health physicians, Penobscot Community Health Care, Bangor Family Medicine, St. Joseph Healthcare
Specialty Clinics:
Eastern Maine Cardiology, Eastern Maine Orthopedics, Bangor Dermatology, Northern Light Cancer Care
Hospital Systems:
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Northern Light Inland Hospital
💡 Bangor serves northern and eastern Maine. Northern Light Health is major regional system. Rural opportunities abundant.
Midcoast/Downeast (Knox, Hancock Counties)
Coastal communities with Pen Bay Medical Center and Maine Coast Memorial.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Pen Bay Medical Center physicians, Maine Coast Memorial physicians, Island Medical Center, Penobscot Bay Medical Center clinics
Specialty Clinics:
Knox County Cardiology, Midcoast Orthopedics, Coastal Dermatology, Pen Bay Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Pen Bay Medical Center, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Waldo County General, Blue Hill Memorial
💡 Coastal Maine has seasonal tourism impact. Retiree population growing. Tight-knit communities with healthcare shortages.
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 Maine?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation