Lindsay Jerome never expected to go into the medical field.

Yet, Jerome decided to take the medical office assistant certificate at Okanagan College and upon graduation was hired by the North Okanagan Medical Clinic at Superstore in Vernon. Three years later, she enjoys a challenging career at the clinic where every day is different.

害羞草研究所淚 had no idea what I wanted to do and was just working retail 害羞草研究所� going nowhere,害羞草研究所� saidJerome. 害羞草研究所淚 knew I wanted to make more money, and I also wanted a job that was in-demand and that I could be proud of.害羞草研究所�

Jerome decided to start investigating post-secondary education and her research led her to consider a career as a medical office assistant.

害羞草研究所淓verybody that I talked to about the job had been doing it for 20-plus years, and they loved it,害羞草研究所� said Jerome.

Jerome enrolled in the college害羞草研究所檚 part-time, medical office assistant certificate and worked two jobs 害羞草研究所� retail and dog grooming 害羞草研究所� while completing her education.

The flexibility of the program, which includes evenings and some weekend classroom time, allowed her to fit both work and school into her busy schedule.

Jerome found the instructors knowledgeable and ready to answer all of her questions, and appreciated the fact that her training included an observation.

害羞草研究所淚 did my observation at the clinic that I now work at, and I know for a fact that they wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have hired me without the course,害羞草研究所� said Jerome. 害羞草研究所淧lus, there害羞草研究所檚 only so much the books can tell you. Our teacher would often say 害羞草研究所榠t depends on where you work.害羞草研究所� So by doing my observation I learned things that were specific to working in a walk-in clinic.害羞草研究所�

The medical office assistant program is offered at the Vernon and Kelowna campuses and covers medical terminology, medical office procedures (including computerized medical billing), medical office guidelines, and medical and legal ethical standards. Instructors also help students develop time management and effective verbal and written communication skills.

害羞草研究所淭he training really is a great jumping off point for our graduates to go into a versatile career,害羞草研究所� said instructor Carrol Tull. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e got grads working in doctor害羞草研究所檚 offices, vet clinics, walk-in clinics, and hospitals.害羞草研究所�

Tull also says that the instruction is designed to be hands-on and practical.

害羞草研究所淗aving been an MOA for many years I get great pleasure passing on my knowledge to the students who are eager to be part of this industry. It害羞草研究所檚 exciting to be part of this learning process, watching the students become skilled, confident and eager to start their rewarding careers.害羞草研究所�

What does Jerome like best about her job?

害羞草研究所淵ou never know what害羞草研究所檚 going to walk through the door,害羞草研究所� she laughed. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 chaotic, it害羞草研究所檚 crazy busy, and it害羞草研究所檚 challenging because the medical field is always changing and we have about 20-30 doctors who rotate through here. So you害羞草研究所檙e always learning and definitely never bored.害羞草研究所�

Jerome has a message for students considering the program: 害羞草研究所淛ust do it 害羞草研究所� you won害羞草研究所檛 regret it.害羞草研究所�

To find out more about Okanagan College害羞草研究所檚 medical office aAssistant certificate, visit .