Christopher,
Thanks Christopher, being honest with students about such things manages expectations and serves as another anchor for trust.
Jay Hollowell
I wholeheartedly agree with Denise. Students should understand the physical and mental demands of the job. Too many students come through that are not physically capable of doing the job because of previous injuries limiting their mobility or ability to lift and assist patients. They need to understand not every patient gets better and that patients die. If they cannot handle patient losses due to death this may not be the field for them.
When I interview perspective students we discuss the potential certifications they may apply for including phlebotomist, Administrative Medical Assistant, ECG tech, etc. I recommend they get as many of the certifications as they can. Because like a car the more options you have for the potential employer the more likely he/she is to select you.
How their course of study will fit into their career plans.
I believe students should be advised on both the mental and physical requirements of the job. Students should also be told of different branches in which their profession could go...such as medical assistants can serve as phlebotomist or front desk associates.
In addition to the demands in the class, prospective and current students need to be aware of the expectations that relate to their field of study.
