Medical Office Assistant Refreshes Skills, Lands Job

In 1986, Gina Fortson earned an associate degree in Medical Secretarial Science. However, an internship in a different field changed her career trajectory. Our Medical Office Assistant program got her back on track to her love of healthcare, and she has the job to prove it.

“I have always had a desire to work in the medical field. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, no matter how big or small,” Gina said. “When I did my internship while earning my associate degree, it was not in a medical office. [It] seemed to set the precedent for my future path – more down the executive assistant route.”

However, she still had a desire to work in an environment with medical professionals and people needing care. Our certificate program was her solution, and Gina enrolled in our August 2018 course. She was able to refresh her skills, thus reinventing herself for a new career.

“It had been 30+ years since I had graduated from college, and I knew I would need to update my skills if I hoped to get a job in a medical office,” she said. “Systems are always changing. I knew if I wanted to be competitive with others applying, I would need those skills.”

Gina valued the knowledge of the instructors, who all work in the field. They were able to provide her with an accurate perspective of a modern medical office.

“They were up to date on the latest policies and procedures. They knew what would be necessary to be successful in getting a job in the medical field,” she said. “In addition, they were all very positive and encouraging along the way.”

Three weeks prior to her graduation, Gina received an offer to work at Scottish Rite Hospital of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She is confident the new skills helped to make her resume more competitive.

As a unit secretary, Gina is responsible for the management of patients on the floor. Her responsibilities include admissions and discharges, answering phones, providing customer service, distributing and collecting appropriate paperwork and forms for patients, and maintaining the patient census. Her favorite parts of her job include interacting with patients and families and growing in knowledge from both the doctors and nurses.

Although Gina’s career did not start on her intended path, she is truly grateful for her educational journey. Her degree and professional certificate have provided her with a foundation that has served her well.

“The medical office skills I learned through both earning my associate degree and then again with the certificate program at KSU have helped me tremendously,” she said. “They both prepared me with the skills to perform my day-to-day tasks confidently.”

For anyone seeking opportunities for reinvention, Gina recommends CCPE, saying, “Their programs allow current professionals to either expand their skills and knowledge or give them the ability to transition into a new career path.”