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Where can I volunteer to get the most experience for medical assisting?

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Nija’s Answer

Hi Victoria,

It's wonderful that you are considering to volunteer in order for you to gain experience in medical assisting. You may not find a volunteer opportunity as a medical assistant; however there are volunteer opportunities where you can build your experience in the medical field. You can volunteer for the American Red Cross where you can assist with the blood drives. Also, you can volunteer at your local hospital, a medical clinic; community healthcare center; and at a medical office. Since you live in Tucson, Arizona, you can look into Tucson Medical Center; St. Elizabeth's Health Center; Southern Arizona Veterans Healthcare System; United Way of Tucson; Hospice Care programs; and other medical centers. You will be able to obtain some of the skills needed to become a medical assistant and you will gain experience volunteering in a medical center. I hope this helps you to explore volunteer opportunities that will help you prepare for your journey. Good luck to you and much success.


Nija recommends the following next steps:

Refer to volunteermatch.org to look for volunteer opportunities.
If you know where you want to volunteer at, call the center and speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Shadow someone who is a medical assistant so you are aware of the day to day responsibilities.
Thank you comment icon What a great answer from Nija. That's how you do it! Tom Behan
Thank you comment icon Thank you Tom for your positive feedback. I really appreciated. Nija Jackson, MSW, LCSW
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Cooper’s Answer

Hi Victoria,

I agree with Nija's response above. I have been a CMA (AAMA) for eight years now and I would highly recommend volunteering at your local hospital and shadowing a medical assistant. Depending on what you see yourself doing as a medical assistant, I would focus your volunteering efforts on working as a unit support volunteer. Unit support volunteers (i.e: working on a med/surg unit or ambulatory surgery) assist with basic administrative tasks and may also provide non-medical patient support. You will have access to working with PCAs, RNs, and other members of the patient care team to soak up medical knowledge.

For shadowing a medical assistant, I would reach out to local community colleges and talk with their program director. They have the best contacts and might have a list of graduates you can shadow.

Good luck!

Cooper recommends the following next steps:

At Tuscon Medical Center, they offer hospice volunteers and hospital-based volunteers: https://www.tmcaz.com/staff-and-volunteers/volunteering/
https://www.pima.edu/academics-programs/degrees-certificates/health-sciences/medical-assistant/index.html
https://carrington.edu/location/tucson-arizona/medical&;dentalprograms
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