Barton Student Completes Medical Assistant Externship at CKMC
Barton Student Completes Medical Assistant Externship at CKMC
From the Great Bend Tribune
July 26, 2009
Like many new college students, Jennifer Wood didn't know exactly what career path she should take. The medical field looked promising and after considering a few options, Wood has found her niche as a medical assistant.
Wood is the first Barton Community College student to complete an M.A. externship (unpaid) at Central Kansas Medical Center. Prior to the externship, she worked in the Great Bend Internists medical records department. (GBI is owned and operated by CKMC.)
"When I first started college, I didn't know what I wanted to do," said Wood, a 2005 graduate of Lyons High School. "I changed majors twice. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field; I just wasn't sure in what capacity."
Her-180 hour externship at CKMC included stints at Great Bend Internists, Dr. Thomas Wilder's surgical office and St. Joseph Family Medicine in Great Bend. Wood will soon be employed full-time at SJFM in Larned.
"I like the variety in the medical-assistant field," Wood said. "From records, to clerical work to patient care - it runs the whole gamut. I can be a receptionist up front and assist the doctors and nurses in the back."
M.A. patient care includes drawing blood, giving shots and taking vital signs.
"We are very fortunate to have someone like Jennifer who has these diversified skills," said Kandi Willinger, CKMC clinic nurse supervisor. "She knows it was worth going to college to hone her skills and now she can grow in her job at our family medicine clinic in Larned."
This collaboration between CKMC and the Barton student was kick started when Carol Crockett at the college contacted Jane Robinson at the hospital.
"We have a clinical affiliation agreement with CKMC that allows us to place students there," said Crockett, M.A. program instructor/coordinator. "Jennifer selected CKMC for her externship and we asked if they could accommodate."
Crockett noted that Robinson, CKMC executive director of clinic operations, got the ball rolling. "We appreciate this good rapport with CKMC," Crockett said. "We collaborate not only on the M.A. program but also with other healthcare-related professions.
"Externships allow students to pull together all the information from the classroom and apply it in a clinical setting," Crockett continued. "The M.A. program provides multi-skilled, versatile employees for an office, which results in increased efficiency."
A Barton student's 68-credit-hour M.A. curriculum results in an associate in applied science degree. It includes general-education, administrative and clinical courses. Since the majority of students are working adults, the courses are available during the day and evening, as well as online.
Ruby Brown discusses her blood-pressure reading with Jennifer Wood, medical assistant. Wood is the first student from Barton Community College's Medical Assistant Program to complete an externship at Central Kansas Medical Center.
Courtesy Photo
