MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in Michigan
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Great Lakes State. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
[Hero Image]
Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
10,500+
MI Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
4,600+
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 Michigan
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 — All specialties-automotive medicine, academic centers, community health, primary care
- ✓ 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 Michigan
Michigan has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Detroit Metro (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb Counties)
Michigan's largest metro with Henry Ford, Beaumont, and Detroit Medical Center.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Henry Ford Medical Group, Beaumont Health physicians, DMC Medical Group, Ascension Michigan physicians, IHA physicians
Specialty Clinics:
Michigan Heart, Beaumont Orthopedics, Henry Ford Dermatology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, DMC Cardiology
Hospital Systems:
Henry Ford Hospital, Beaumont Royal Oak, Detroit Medical Center, Ascension St. John, Beaumont Troy
💡 Detroit metro has 50% of Michigan healthcare jobs. Henry Ford and Beaumont are dominant systems. Auto industry drives occupational health.
Ann Arbor/Washtenaw County
University of Michigan Health-top-ranked academic medical center.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Michigan Medicine physicians, IHA (Integrated Healthcare Associates), Packard Health, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor physicians
Specialty Clinics:
Michigan Cardiology, UM Orthopedics, UM Dermatology, Rogel Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Michigan Medicine (University Hospital), St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare
💡 Ann Arbor has world-class Michigan Medicine. Very competitive but excellent training. Consider IHA for broader network.
Grand Rapids/West Michigan (Kent, Ottawa Counties)
Spectrum Health (now Corewell) and Mercy Health dominate West Michigan.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Corewell Health physicians, Mercy Health Physician Partners, Metro Health physicians, Cherry Health
Specialty Clinics:
West Michigan Cardiology, Orthopedic Associates of Michigan, Dermatology Associates of West Michigan, Lacks Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Corewell Health Butterworth, Mercy Health Saint Mary's, Metro Health Hospital, Holland Hospital
💡 Grand Rapids is Michigan's 2nd largest city. Corewell (formerly Spectrum) is massive regional system. Growing market.
Northern Michigan/Upper Peninsula (Traverse City, Marquette)
Resort communities and UP with Munson Healthcare and UP Health System.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Munson Healthcare physicians, UP Health System physicians, McLaren Northern Michigan, MyMichigan Health
Specialty Clinics:
Northern Michigan Cardiology, Traverse Orthopedics, Northern Michigan Dermatology, Cowell Family Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Munson Medical Center, UP Health System Marquette, McLaren Northern Michigan, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena
💡 Northern Michigan has tourism and retirees. UP has significant shortages with recruitment incentives. Beautiful natural setting.
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 Michigan?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation