2 answers
Samantha
Student
Wasilla, Alaska
3
Questions
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Is the schedule flexible?
When working as a Certified Medical Assistant are employers flexible for the schedule? For example say I have a weekly doctors appointment will they work around that?
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2 answers
Jenifer C.
Registered Nurse
4
Answers
Updated
Jenifer’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
Congratulations on your role as a CMA!
I would say that in the medical field, most employers are flexible if they receive advanced notice of your request for time off for an appointment, vacation, etc. There is a saying “work to live, don’t live to work”; this basically means that we work to make a living, but we shouldn’t live to only work.
When I used to be a nurse manager, I was very accommodating and flexible when an employee would ask for time off. As long as they requested the time off in advance, I was able to make staffing adjustments. Emergencies do happen and that is okay, yet for something you have planned on your personal schedule, just let your supervisor know in advance.
Good luck to you in your career!
Congratulations on your role as a CMA!
I would say that in the medical field, most employers are flexible if they receive advanced notice of your request for time off for an appointment, vacation, etc. There is a saying “work to live, don’t live to work”; this basically means that we work to make a living, but we shouldn’t live to only work.
When I used to be a nurse manager, I was very accommodating and flexible when an employee would ask for time off. As long as they requested the time off in advance, I was able to make staffing adjustments. Emergencies do happen and that is okay, yet for something you have planned on your personal schedule, just let your supervisor know in advance.
Good luck to you in your career!
Brian Stimpson
Medical Assistant
4
Answers
Manchester, New Hampshire
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Samantha
I agree with Jenifer, giving plenty of notice for appointments helps. I believe each employer is different but I have found that when I work with my employers they are very accommodating. For instance, I have found is that my employers appreciate me keeping my appointments on a fairly routine schedule and either early in the day or at the end of the day whenever possible. It is less disruptive to the work flow to either come in late or leave early than to take a chunk out of the middle of the morning with a 10am appointment. I also check the upcoming schedule or talk with my manager to plan the best days to schedule my appointment. For instance Mondays are a slower day on my team, all of our regular providers are in surgery, so I try to schedule on Mondays if possible or on other days I try for 8:00 appointments and come to work a little late.
Hope this helps
Brian
I agree with Jenifer, giving plenty of notice for appointments helps. I believe each employer is different but I have found that when I work with my employers they are very accommodating. For instance, I have found is that my employers appreciate me keeping my appointments on a fairly routine schedule and either early in the day or at the end of the day whenever possible. It is less disruptive to the work flow to either come in late or leave early than to take a chunk out of the middle of the morning with a 10am appointment. I also check the upcoming schedule or talk with my manager to plan the best days to schedule my appointment. For instance Mondays are a slower day on my team, all of our regular providers are in surgery, so I try to schedule on Mondays if possible or on other days I try for 8:00 appointments and come to work a little late.
Hope this helps
Brian