Florida Technical College Student Determined to Help on the Frontlines

In a pandemic crisis, frontline healthcare workers are expanding their roles and assuming greater responsibilities to be able to help as many patients as possible. Such is the case for Medical Assistants (MAs). During this time of increased demand for medical services, Medical Assistants are stepping up to ensure the good work being done by our healthcare community, continues to move forward smoothly.

Starting the Medical Assistant Diploma Program back in July of 2019, Brooke Bosse was not expecting a pandemic of this proportion to take place during her time at Florida Technical College. Like several students across the nation, Brooke’s graduation date is currently delayed due to COVID-19 because of the inability to take the proctored certification exam, but that hasn’t stopped her from using this time to put her skills to work.

Being a Lakeland native, Brooke decided to attend FTC to stay close to home with family and friends.

“I’ve always enjoyed caring for people and thought FTC would be a great place to kickstart my career in the medical field.”

Although facing several obstacles due to office closures but persevering to seek an opportunity to help during this crisis, Brooke managed to secure an externship at Capernaum Medical Center, a children’s neurologist office as part of her curriculum of the program. Currently, she assists in reviewing schedules, prepping patients, and updating charts to gain hands-on experience in the field.

“After completing my externship my goal is to go back to FTC and enroll in the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma Program because I think it will provide me with a good background to insurance. After working in a doctor’s office, I see how it’s really important knowledge to have in the field. From there, I hope to enroll in the Allied Health Management Bachelor’s Program at FTC to gain skills to eventually continue to move up career-wise.”

During the COVID-19 crisis, Brooke has faced several challenges while completing her externship.

“It’s definitely scary to think about that at any moment you can have possible exposure. We’ve taken several precautions here at the office as far as sanitizing equipment and making sure we’re wearing the proper PPE and washing our hands. Even though it’s worrisome, it’s what I signed up for in the medical field and it’s what I have to do.”

She’s also had to learn to provide several alternatives to patients due to social distancing.

“We do our part to reassure patients who may be worried and frustrated. We’ve taken extra measures to offer alternatives such as virtual consultations and car side visits. It’s definitely an eye-opener as to how crazy the world can get so fast, but being able to be there to help the patient is a big thing for me.”

Brooke says that while this time has been challenging for most, that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her passion.

“Going through this right now has definitely shown me how tough the medical field can be, but it has also shown me how tough I can be.”

More than 40 students from the Medical Assistant Program reported to their unpaid externships.

“It’s inspiring to see the Medical Assistant students stepping up to join the fight against coronavirus. It is a testament of the true nature of this generation that genuinely wants to help” stated James Michal Burkett, President of FTC.

 

Request more information about our Medical Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing Specialist, and Allied Health Management programs here.

 

About Florida Technical College: Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, Florida Technical College is an academic unit of National University College (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267) 284-5000. MSCHE is a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. FTC offers associate and bachelor’s degrees and diploma programs in a range of professions, including healthcare, construction trades, computer networking, culinary arts, and cosmetology. FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, and Cutler Bay. Program availability varies by campus. For graduation rates, median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit www.ftccollege.edu/disclosures.html.