Stand Out From The Crowd

While you've mastered your job duties and you understand how the gears of your company turn, there are still some things that you can do to help you stand out from the crowd and help your career grow.

State of mind

First, you should approach your career with the correct mindset.

"The thing that helps you really stand out is your attitude," says Erin O'Hara Meyer, principal of Administrative Excellence in Rosemount. "Put ego aside. If you're someone who doesn't say, `that's not my job,' and you're someone who is willing to do whatever needs to be done, then people know they can come to you and get the results they need."

Join up

Joining a professional organization is a great way to grow and develop in your career. For administrative professionals, the premier organization is the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

But joining isn't enough. O'Hara Meyer notes that it is important to relay what you've learned back to your company.

"I ran a committee, and it helped me develop good communication skills," shares O'Hara Meyer.

Those skills transfer back to your workplace, when you have the opportunity to work on committees and teams in your company.

Computer skills

There's almost certainly a computer on yours and everyone else's desks in the office, and becoming a software expert will help you stand out.

"Learning new software and gadgets really helps you stay ahead of the curve," adds O'Hara Meyer. "Don't be afraid to take the lead."

"Keep current with all the changes in software, so you can recommend when your company or department needs to upgrade and you can tell them why," notes Susan Fenner, manager of education and professional development for the IAAP.

Offering special skills and abilities will win you a lot of respect in the office, and that respect will translate into great things for your career.

Robert Elsenpeter is a freelance writer from Blaine.

Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks in clinics, doctors' offices and urgent care settings. "Here in the Midwest, assistants usually do clinical work," says Michelle Blesi, who directs the medical assisting program at Century College. "Elsewhere, they do both administrative and clinical tasks."

Administrative duties may include answering phones, handling correspondence, maintaining patient records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission, billing and bookkeeping. Assistants are so versatile that they've been called "the Swiss Army knife" of healthcare.

Most medical assistants complete an 18-month diploma program or receive a two-year degree. Course work includes human biology, psychology, English, software applications, laboratory techniques and medical terminology. Students also participate in a 300-hour externship in a clinical setting.

Successful completion of the diploma or degree qualifies graduates to sit for a national certification exam. "For entry-level assistants, certification is more important than a degree," Blesi says. "But for those who hope to continue school or go into clinic management, a degree is necessary."

Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. Blesi says that virtually all who graduate from the Century College program find jobs immediately. In the metro area, the average starting hourly salary is about $14. Newly graduated assistants are usually expected to pass the national exam within the first year of employment.

Springboard

Medical assisting is an attractive field for career-changers. "Between 10 and 20 percent of my students are looking for a new career or retraining after a layoff," Blesi says.

Nancy Giguere is a freelance writer from St. Paul who has written about healthcare since 1995.