When Marissa Rodriguez and Sandra Salazar enrolled at Laredo Community College, they had some obstacles to overcome to fulfill their dreams of becoming medical assistants.
Both students are mothers who had challenges to fulfill in their classrooms and in their homes.
But thanks to the caring support and great education LCC provided, noted Rodriguez and Salazar, both recently earned Medical Assisting certificates and are heading toward brighter futures in life.
Salazar recalls the fear and intimidation she felt upon enrolling in the medical assisting classes at LCC.
“At first, I was lost and did not understand what was being taught in class,” Salazar said.
“But after awhile, I overcame my fears thanks to the encouragement and guidance I received from the faculty, and I passed my first two classes with A’s,” said the 22-year-old mother of two.
Rodriguez, a mother of four children, had similar challenges to overcome. She first enrolled at LCC in 2001, but decided to postpone her studies to tend to her maternal responsibilities.
Last spring, Rodriguez decided to take advantage of the greater options available at LCC for medical assisting students to study in the mornings, afternoons or evenings.
“The class flexibility made it possible for me to return to college,” Rodriguez said. “The instructor, Elizabeth Kurczyn-Valle, helped me succeed by offering an interesting and quality learning experience. She made it fun to learn.”
Shortly after completing the requirements to become an MOA, Rodriguez and Salazar had no difficulty in finding a rewarding job.
Rodriguez was employed immediately as a billing clerk for a local physician’s office.
“I was hired on the spot during the job interview as soon as they learned that I was a product of LCC,” Rodriguez said.
Salazar also found employment quickly at a local doctor’s office. But, she had to let go of her job after her young son broke his elbow and requires daily therapy. The 22-year-old hopes to get back into the workforce soon.
As for Rodriguez, she plans to continue her education at LCC. This fall, she is enrolled in some math courses to enhance her skills as billing clerk.
Instructor Valle is proud of her students’ accomplishments.
“To be a medical office assistant, you have to have a heart and enjoy working as an advocate for patients. I have all types of students, including those with children and those who travel daily to LCC from neighboring communities, and it is very rewarding to help them cross the bridge to a brighter future in life,” Valle said.
Rodriguez and Salazar added that they are glad they chose to pursue the 15-month certificate program at LCC, as opposed to the shorter six-month programs available at other career schools.
“We (students) were trained to become professionals,” Rodriguez said of the students who have received certificates through the program.
Salazar added that professionalism is “what you need to succeed in the world.”
The Medical Assistant program at LCC consists of three certificate plans and an associate of applied science degree, all of which share a common technical core of courses that applies to each curriculum plan.
Certificates include:
· Administrative- prepares graduates to perform appointment scheduling, creating and maintaining records, medical transcriptions, medical insurance filing and billing;
· Clinical- graduates are trained to perform patient-centered assessment, assist in the examination of patients, perform treatments directed by the physician and perform common laboratory procedures; and
· Coding- graduates gain the skills to perform advanced coding techniques, data collection, documentation requirements in the health information environment, classification systems and appropriate codes, and to understand the federal regulation perspective payment systems and methods of reimbursement.
The Medical Assistant Associate Degree prepares graduates to perform both administrative and clinical duties associated with medical offices, clinics and hospitals.
For information on how to apply for admission to the Medical Assisting program, contact the LCC Allied Health Department at 721-5261.
Laredo Community College medical assisting instructor Elizabeth Kurczyn-Valle is flanked by recent program completers Marissa Rodriguez (left) and Sandra Salazar.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443