MAA EXTERNSHIP
Medical Administrative Assistant Externship in Arizona
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on front-office healthcare experience across The Grand Canyon State. Build administrative skills, professional connections, and a pathway to employment.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
7,500+
AZ Medical Offices
$0
Externship Cost
3,800+
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 Arizona
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 — Cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, oncology, primary care, pain management
- ✓ 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 Arizona
Arizona has thousands of medical offices, clinics, and healthcare facilities with front-office positions. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Phoenix Metro (Maricopa County)
5th largest US city with Banner Health, HonorHealth, and Dignity Health dominating.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Banner Medical Group, HonorHealth Medical Group, Dignity Health Medical Group, Abrazo Medical Group, Valleywise Health
Specialty Clinics:
Arizona Cardiology Group, OrthoArizona, Affiliated Dermatology, Arizona Oncology, Valley Pain Consultants
Hospital Systems:
Banner University Medical Center, HonorHealth Scottsdale, Dignity Health St. Joseph's, Mayo Clinic Arizona
💡 Phoenix has massive healthcare market. Banner is Arizona's largest employer. Winter visitors increase demand seasonally.
Tucson Metro (Pima County)
University of Arizona health hub with Banner-UMC and TMC Healthcare.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Banner-University Medicine, TMC Physician Network, Northwest Medical Center physicians, El Rio Health
Specialty Clinics:
Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, Tucson Cardiology, Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology, Skin Spectrum Dermatology
Hospital Systems:
Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center
💡 Tucson has lower cost of living than Phoenix with strong healthcare. UA College of Medicine presence.
East Valley (Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe)
Rapidly growing suburbs with Banner and Dignity Health facilities.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Banner Health clinics, Dignity Health Medical Group East Valley, East Valley Physicians, Gilbert Primary Care
Specialty Clinics:
Arizona Bone & Joint, East Valley Cardiology, Arizona Center for Cancer Care, Southwest Skin Specialists
Hospital Systems:
Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner Gateway, Mercy Gilbert, Chandler Regional
💡 East Valley is Arizona's fastest-growing region. New medical offices opening constantly.
Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Yavapai, Mohave Counties)
Mountain communities with Northern Arizona Healthcare and Yavapai Regional.
Medical Groups & Health Systems:
Northern Arizona Healthcare physicians, Yavapai Medical Group, Verde Valley Medical Center clinics, KRMC physicians
Specialty Clinics:
Flagstaff Bone & Joint, Prescott Cardiology, Verde Valley Gastroenterology
Hospital Systems:
Flagstaff Medical Center, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, KRMC (Kingman)
💡 Northern Arizona has seasonal population swings. Retirees in Prescott drive specialty demand.
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 Arizona?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $850 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation