MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in Minnesota
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
6,200+
MN Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
2,800+
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 Minnesota
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-Mayo Clinic excellence, academic medicine, community health, rural health
- ✓ 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 Minnesota
Minnesota has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Twin Cities Metro (Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota Counties)
Minneapolis-St. Paul with Allina, Fairview/M Health, HealthPartners, and more.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
M Health Fairview physicians, Allina Health physicians, HealthPartners physicians, Park Nicollet (HealthPartners), Hennepin Healthcare
Specialty Clinics:
Minneapolis Heart Institute, TRIA Orthopedics, U of M Dermatology, Masonic Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
M Health Fairview University, Abbott Northwestern, Hennepin Healthcare, Regions Hospital, United Hospital
💡 Twin Cities has excellent healthcare market. Multiple major systems create competition for talent. Very high quality of life.
Rochester/Southeast (Olmsted County)
Mayo Clinic-world's #1 hospital. Healthcare destination for entire region.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Mayo Clinic physicians, Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic Health System regional clinics
Specialty Clinics:
Mayo Clinic Cardiology, Mayo Orthopedics, Mayo Dermatology, Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic Health System regional hospitals
💡 Rochester is Mayo Clinic town-world-renowned. Extremely competitive but unmatched experience. Consider Mayo regional clinics as entry.
Duluth/Northern Minnesota (St. Louis County)
Essentia Health and St. Luke's serve northern Minnesota and beyond.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Essentia Health physicians, St. Luke's physicians, Scenic Rivers Health Services, Lake Superior Community Health
Specialty Clinics:
Essentia Heart & Vascular, Essentia Orthopedics, Duluth Dermatology, Essentia Cancer Center
Hospital Systems:
Essentia Health Duluth, St. Luke's Hospital, Fairview Range (Virginia), Cook Hospital
💡 Duluth serves northern MN, northwestern WI, and UP Michigan. Beautiful Lake Superior setting. Healthcare shortages in rural areas.
Southern Minnesota (Blue Earth, Stearns Counties)
Mayo Clinic Health System and CentraCare serve agricultural communities.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Mayo Clinic Health System physicians, CentraCare physicians, Mankato Clinic, St. Cloud Medical Group
Specialty Clinics:
CentraCare Heart & Vascular, Mankato Orthopedics, CentraCare Dermatology, Mayo Cancer Rochester-affiliated
Hospital Systems:
Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato, CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital, Sanford Worthington
💡 Southern Minnesota has strong Mayo network. CentraCare dominates St. Cloud area. Agricultural communities need Spanish bilingual staff.
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 Minnesota?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation