A local community college is partnering with two healthcare providers to help students gain more practical experience.
Kellie Cyrus, Medical Assisting Program Coordinator at ACTC, said her program will be working with Valley Health and PrimaryPlus to provide students with practicum hours.
Cyrus said hands-on learning opportunities are essential to helping students get the most out of their education, and these partnerships will provide just that.
“Our ultimate goal here is for students to graduate from the program and be successful in completing their national certification exam at the end of the program. And with that being said, once they have their certification, this will enable the students to be able to hopefully get jobs out in the community,” said Cyrus.
She said the medical sites will offer students more diverse learning environments, enriching their learning experiences and leading them to wider career opportunities.
Students will undergo over 200 hours of practicum time. In the fall they will spend 60 hours observing administrative and clinical work, and in the spring, they will spend 160 hours receiving hands on experience and opportunities. Students will be able to start working with PrimaryPlus starting this Spring.
Cyrus said this is invaluable education and can lead to job offers right after the students graduate, often times from the very location where they spent their practicum.
“Because they have already learned what the aspects of the job would be if they would be an employee there, they’ve gotten to know the site, and so in turn it makes a smooth transition from being a student to being an employee. So, most students, once they have completed their externships, usually get offered a job at the site,” said Cyrus.
Cyrus said medical assistants are in high demand, especially in eastern Kentucky and training well-qualified students means a better healthcare environment for everyone in the Commonwealth.