Flexible Programs at Florida Technical College Respond to Market Need for Healthcare Workers

By: Jeannette Rivera-Lyles

The demand for healthcare workers continues to be strong throughout the state, and particularly so in Central and South Florida. For at least three consecutive years, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has found on its annual surveys that, aside from construction, no other field generates more employment in the Sunshine State.

A college education is necessary for those wanting to work in this field. But not everyone who wishes to be part of it can go to a conventional college with conventional programs and schedules. It is for these individuals that Florida Technical College recently launched new Medical Assistant and Medical Billing programs in a blended modality, with both online classes and on-campus instruction.

“This is ideal for busy people because it affords them plenty of flexibility to tend to their families, jobs, and other obligations as they pursue their career goals,” said Leiby Adames Boom, acting Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Registration is now open for these programs, which enable students to access coursework from a laptop or mobile device whenever is convenient, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. At the same time, students will have the best of the two worlds by being able to come to campus for labs and hands-on training, as well as to interact with instructors and fellow students.

Jocelyn Tizio, 21, is one of the students taking advantage of the blended program. Tizio wanted to get a college diploma but because she works full-time in retail, her goal seemed unreachable.

“I don’t have the luxury of not working,” said Tizio, who is pursuing a diploma in medical billing and coding at FTC Kissimmee campus. “That pretty much killed my chances of pursuing a diploma at most colleges. Being able to fire up my laptop when I have a break, at any time of the day or night, was my saving grace.”

“Tizio expects to graduate in December. She represents the type of busy student that inspired the creation of these programs”, said FTC President James Burkett, PhD.

“This is a great opportunity for people with busy lives, jobs, and families to pursue a stable and promising career path,” Burkett said. “The blended approach reduces the need for childcare and transportation costs, while increasing their availability to work while in school. It is truly a versatile and flexible approach for working adults that maintains the benefits of face-to-face instruction while allowing students to better manage their lives.”

The Medical Assistant Technician Diploma Program is designed to prepare students to obtain entry-level employment as medical assistant technicians. It offers them the opportunity to learn online, in the classroom, and in a supervised clinical practice. Students also learn how to prepare patients for various technical examinations, such as EKGs and phlebotomies. The Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Diploma Program prepares students to obtain entry-level positions in the medical billing and coding area through a combination of both clinical and administrative training. Both programs are available in the blended, online/on-campus, format at the following campuses: Cutler Bay, DeLand, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Orlando, and Pembroke Pines.

Program Availability varies by campus. Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended our programs available at www.ftccollege.edu/disclosures.html

 

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