It all started two years ago when my department was downsized and I was laid off from my last job because of the economic downturn.  Besides being an emotional, mental and financial impact at the moment I also had the challenge to think about my future. I decided to seek help and guidance with this situation through different government agencies. I was able to find the support I needed through various job and career counsellors. Based on their feedback I decided to study a second career in the field of health as a Medical Office Assistant.  With my previous administrative work experience in various industries, I thought that it would facilitate finding work in this sector.  Furthermore, I felt a job in health would be very special and rewarding for me to contribute to the community.  In my 24 years of living in Canada I had worked as a volunteer for many non-profit organizations and really enjoyed the experiences.

I chose to study at MEDIX SCHOOL because I was struck by the programs offered which allowed for people who want to be part of the health care industry to begin within a short term.  The program contains all the requirements to be a successful Medical Office Assistant (MOA) and serve with excellence the needs of the community.  I learned a lot from the instructors and staff who had included academic materials and professional experience examples to teach the students.  

I really embraced my experience both in learning the materials and becoming part of school activities.  I had the opportunity to create a flyer which was very successful inviting the school community to participate in a big informational event about Diabetes, Dental Hygiene, and Massage. It was a great personal success. Besides being an educational and informative day, the active participation of students and instructors demonstrated that Medix School encourages students in the field of health to make it about serving the community. My time at Medix School was a great learning experience.  I would recommend it to anybody.  In fact, I already started in my Parish through the Youth Group Coordinator!

For me personally it was very challenging because I have been out of school for so many years.  I am a mature woman at 56 year old and have English as my second language.  But this did not stop me from starting a new career; on the contrary it was a great motivation to prove to myself that you can always learn something new, progress and be a professional.  

From the beginning of my time at school I was thinking about how to achieve success. Motivation, enthusiasm, dedication, perfect attendance, participation, determination, A+ notes and a positive attitude helped me to graduate and represent MEDIX SCHOOL where ever I go to work as MOA.  

Currently I am volunteering as a Clerical Assistant in the Mental Department for children at  York Central Hospital in my neighbourhood and I have been putting into practice what I was taught in school. This initiative of volunteering has helped me also to learn more about the health environment. They are very happy with my performance. The truth is there are many things, both large and small details that have helped me to complete my career.

My goal with my husband and two children when we came to Canada many years ago was to succeed.  And one of the main purposes was our education. And I am very happy that was accomplished with the help of God we have all become professionals and serve the community as best as possible.

As a conclusion, in life happens when one door closes, another opens.  Losing my job helped me and also motivated me to study.  Search and you will always find opportunities. Whatever happens to us is always for some reason and is for something better.

The purpose of writing this success story is to encourage people who want a career at any age.  Education is a treasure that belongs to us forever. I hope it is published in your newsletter.

I want to take this opportunity to thank very much Medix School and their instructors to keep me motivated to be a Medical Office Assistant. “A greater MOA” -   this is the positive affirmation of Catherine Ortiz to the students.

Thank you so much.

God Bless You Always!

Maritza Vivas

 

Back in the days, I would always have to report back to my mother regarding what I learned in school that day, whenever she asked the simple question “How was school?”  I would always give the usual retort….. “Fine”….. and nothing more.  She was very persistent because at that particular point, she would always poke and prod, trying to dig for more answers.   

Mom: “Well…did you learn anything in science class?”

Me: “Yea…”

 Mom: “OK….well…was it interesting?”

Me: “It was ok…I guess…hey, what’s for the dinner?”

My poor mother….  Looking back, I wish I was able to give her a better response, as she was genuinely interested in my progress.  However, also looking back, it was very tough to be able give her anything better, as the schools days were long and monotonous…not to mention, I was constantly hungry.  

This made me wonder...What type of answer would a Medix School students give their mom’s, significant others, or even their kids?

I would hope they all could do a little bit better than I did, because at Medix School, we pride ourselves in providing families with great dinner conversations, especially about what they “did in school today”.  

Learning theoretical concepts by reading a textbook or listening to a 2 hour lecture is a very important part of the learning process. However I can understand it may be difficult to give an interesting report about it. In my opinion, the great stories come when Medix School students are able to tell the story of how they were able to put into practice these theoretical concepts.  Medix provides many opportunities for students to put skills into practice via in-class practicals and externship opportunities.   But now, Medix School is proud to add another great practical experience to students, The Guelph University Cadaver Lab!

Imagine telling your family, at the dinner table that you had the opportunity to hold a human heart in your hand and saw that it’s pretty much the same size as your fist.  Just imagine how surprised your family members will be when you will tell them that you were able to stretch out the entire digestive tract from one end of the room to the other. Also if anyone in your family likes to go for a nice smoke after dinner, you might want to tell them what you were able to see, first hand, the difference between healthy and unhealthy lungs.  Granted…dinner time may not be the best opportunity to bring this up, but it does make a great story.  (The story that your mother has been yearning to hear)

Medix School in affiliation with Guelph University provides a unique experience that is unsurpassed by any textbook, power point, DVD, video or any online media can provide.  It is the opportunity to touch, feel, see and learn firsthand the human body and its organs.   It is an opportunity that many students who must learn Anatomy and Physiology, do not have the opportunity to do.  Medix students, accompanied by Medix Instructors will be guided through the cadaver lab by 4^th year Anatomy students at Guelph University.  Many of these students are very passionate about Anatomy and will be going on to do further education in the field, including a Master’s program, Nursing, Medical School, etc.   Students will be teaching students and it has been proven to be a very effective and efficient model.   Medix Students not only have the opportunity to learn basic anatomy from the 4^th year students, but in some cases it is the Medix students who have imparted wisdom regarding their field, demonstrating to the 4^th year student regions where certain massage techniques take place, pointing out the vein where they conduct phlebotomy and identifying cavities and fillings in an oral specimen.

This great privilege of being able to learn Anatomy in this way can be attributed to the Human Donations Program at Guelph University.   Each specimen that you have the opportunity to learn from is graciously donated from the human donors and their families.  It is truly, in every sense, the gift of life and learning.   Every student enrolled in one of Medix’s Science Programs has the opportunity to take part in this wonderful gift and we at Medix, in affiliation with Guelph University are proud to offer this experience to our students.

 

 

As the economy is evolving companies and organizations are looking for a very specific talent while recruiting. Although there are many students who would love a shortcut to a career, there is really no secure method of getting a position these days without adequate training. People looking out for jobs without specific skill set have to think again – how will I add value to a particular organization or a company?

Education is the Key to Quality

Job seekers should understand the importance of education while applying for the jobs. Educational certificates from good college/school/university show that the person has credibility and employers can trust that person’s skill set. Some of the industries require a very specific skill set which is provided by only few educational institutions. So before jumping into the job hunt pool, job seekers must understand the importance of good educational background.  

However joining a particular education stream is also a challenging task. How does one know which education stream is good enough to help in fetching a job offer. Here are some points to consider before joining any college or school  

• What is your passion? Are you really looking for this kind of education?
• Will this education help you in finding a job or building a career?
• What kind of companies you want to work for? Can you work for those companies after joining a particular education stream?
• What kind of skill set will you add to your profile after graduation?

This is a small list of questions that kicks off a brainstorming session about your career. However answering these questions will not only make your education journey easier but also it will help you in finding the right job. Skill training is a necessary part of establishing a career, and cannot be taken for granted. A shortcut to a full career is not possible if you want to ensure that you are getting the position that you really desire with the credentials you need. If you don’t have proper skill training, you could end up in a dead end position that leads to disappointment.  

Skill training gives you a confidence in your job search. Employers want people who can start working with as little training as possible. With skill set under your belt, you can present yourself as someone who can fit in the workplace easily. Education from a good institution and proper attitude will help you in appearing as a professional in the job interviews. So don’t wait and start working on your career path as Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, says - “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

A pursuit for educational and career excellence, a passionate instructor with a vested knowledge in her student’s success, and a thriving learning environment...isn’t that what anybody would want in their decision to go to school? A day spent in the Intra-Oral Dental Assistant class at the Medix School in North York will show you that it is indeed possible to enjoy the love of learning while preparing yourself for a new career!

Meinera Nauth has been an instructor at the Medix School in North York since October of 2006. Her classes are interactive and progressive, and the personable and professional relationship that she has with her students has led to students being successful in class and in their careers. Ms. Nauth’s commitment to her students can be seen in the contact that she still has with Medix graduates, and in the successes of Medix Intra-Oral Dental Assisting graduates in the community.

Ms. Nauth feels that there really is no “ideal student fit” for the program. She feels that students simply need to be committed to their students, focussed on success, and ready to adapt to a quick paced classroom.  The course itself incorporates many areas of focus that are in high demand in the field of Dental Assisting. Some of these include...

·         Rubber Dams

·         Cleaning

·         Impressions

·         Bleaching

·         Cement Mixing

·         Dental X-rays

A particularly interesting component of the program at the Medix School is the way in which members of the public are invited to receive Dental Assisting treatment at the Medix campus. Any and all are encouraged to make appointments with the clinic that is run by current Medix students. It is here that people can receive cleaning that a Dental office would offer, from students who while being supervised by dentists are being trained to be the Dental industries finest.

The Dental Assisting program at the Medix school.....the place to be for a new career in Dental Assisting.

 

 

Aside from creating learning lessons and providing knowledge for students, one of the largest roles of being a teacher comes in with classroom management. The classroom must be a heightened learning environment in order to facilitate the best learning possible and ensuring the success of the students. So, how can teachers maintain a good class environment successfully?  

Creating Structure

Structure is essential for an appropriate class environment. Ensuring that the environment is managed and controlled as necessary is imperative. Teachers serve a large role in the discipline of the classroom, as well as the flow within:  

• Policies/Regulations
• Positive Reinforcement
• Personal/Academic Support
• Motivation
• Communication

Although teachers maintain the leading role in the classroom, the students serve a large role as well. The entire structure should take into consideration the needs and abilities of the students. Larger classrooms require structure for appropriate communication throughout the classroom.  

Communication is Essential

Without proper communication, there is NO connection. Teachers must be able to penetrate the minds of the students in order for the information to be retained. Targeting the most influencing techniques tailored to individual students is key. Teachers must ensure that communication is reached on an individual level if classrooms are large.  

Consistent classroom management can mean the success of a teacher to really perform at an optimal level. Understanding the needs of the students and using that understanding to develop and create the appropriate plans and structure as well as establish the best communication, is necessary in order to ensure ideal classroom environments. Without these essential elements, it is difficult to maintain a classroom with a facilitating environment that is sure to provide the results that are most desired.  

We are living in a fast-paced world with all types of emerging technologies, new inventions and products in different industries. Among them, the pharmaceutical industry has been a powerful and dynamic industry and working in such a growing industry would be interesting and challenging at the same time.  

Pharmacy is one of those challenging places to work in. Whether working as a pharmacist or a pharmacy Technician/Assistant, there is going to be lots of important tasks and responsibilities. They have to be done fast and accurate; there is no room for mistake or carelessness.  

Every year about 420 million prescriptions are dispense in Canada, it is estimated that thousands of people die each year due to medical errors. These errors could be caused by different factors such as poor hand writing, lack of training, lack of checking against the original prescription, calculation errors, look alike and sound alike medications, lack of communication skills and failing to comply with code of ethics.  

The consequences of pharmacy errors can range from harmless to fatal. An error can happen not only by the pharmacists but also by doctors, specialists or health care providers. However, the front line is at the pharmacy. Reading a prescription with poor hand writing within minimum of time and tense environment can cause an error. Lack of communication and training could be another problem. As a pharmacy instructor I have heard many stories about training issues and challenges that students face during their internships:

• Short training time for new students at work
• Quantity vs. quality under work pressure
• Saving time vs. Meeting safety and accuracy standards
• Technology and lack of training for the specific one
• Working long hours/double shifts
• Family problems or income level issues like having two jobs  

The question is how we, as a pharmacy staff or a patient, can prevent prescription errors. As a medical service provider, one of the best solutions available and in-use is the barcode scanning system in pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart. It helps detecting most errors and saving time for the business and customers. By scanning every single item, it will be double checked to verify prescribed drugs. This system beside all software applications running through health network reduces all types of errors that could have occurred before delivering drugs to patients.  

Entering information into the pharmacy database system needs good skills and effective training. Collecting information including prescription reading and interpreting is the most important part of the daily job at a pharmacy. A Pharmacist relies on her/his team member; they need people with self confidence to be fast, accurate, highly trained and well educated. Each member of the pharmacy team works cooperatively to ensure all patients receive the safest and most effective possible care.

These are some tips to prevent the errors:  

• Checking and double checking
• Matching DIN No. Of drugs with the DIN No. On the label
• Training and hiring more staff  
• Following code of ethics
• Knowledge of Pharmacology and pharmaceutical calculation
• Knowledge of computer and using barcode scanner in all pharmacies
• Knowledge of drugs and abbreviation
• Knowledge of regulation and laws  
• Verifying prescription by the physician
• Communicating with patients  
• Educating  patient  
• Typing prescription ( Fax, email,..)
• Understanding of pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and assistant responsibilities

 

Please check these links to know more about it.  

• http://www.nccmerp.org/
• http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/MedicationErrors/ucm080629.htm
• FDA proposes bar codes for drugs, blood; new adverse reaction reporting.  
• FDA Public Meeting On Bar Code Labeling For Drugs. Remarks by Lester M. Crawford, Jr., D.V.M., Ph.D.
• http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDER/ucm102728.htm

 

OHIP or Ontario Health Insurance Plan is one of the main specialization areas that separate a Medical Office Assistant from a general office assistant.  OHIP billing is so crucial to the extent that in some facilities there are positions that are solely for Medical Office Billing or OHIP Billing.  The Medical office assistant should have the knowledge to apply billing codes to patients’ visits, communicate verbally and written with the Ministry of Health and manage OHIP correspondence and financial records sent from Ministry of Health.  This management of various documents is what separates a good billing agent from one who just enters data of codes into the system.  

At Medix School we equip our students with the knowledge to handle both the ethical and legal aspect of OHIP billing, organize and file financial records and to understand the billing process.  Here are some points of what students would gain:

• Provincial and federal responsibilities toward health insurance coverage for Ontario residents
• OHIP eligibility and how to handle fraudulent health cards
• Codes entry into the system and submitting to the Ministry of Health
• Tracking of submitted claims, and communicating with Ministry of Health Personnel
• Completing forms such as Manual Review and Remittance Advice Inquiry
• Proper filing and documentation of OHIP correspondence and financial reports
• Handling patients with missing or lost health cards
• Searching and applying for the proper assessment and procedure codes to patients’ visits.

Also on top of OHIP Billing, students will learn:

• Processing of invoices and bills for uninsured and private medical services.
• Understanding Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) billing and legal responsibilities of the physician.
• Third Party billing, i.e.  insurance companies and lawyers.
• Handling, processing and sending Refugee claims.  

  

Naeranjanie Seedial joined Medix School in January 2010, as a student in the Pharmacy Assistant program. She began her studies with a positive attitude, excited to have an opportunity that would lead to a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. However, shortly after starting her program, she began to have some problems in her daily life - although she liked the school, staff and students, it was becoming difficult for her to manage an effective work-study balance. I then found her at school reception one day, her eyes full of tears.  

“I am dropping out of school,” she told me. This was shocking to hear from such a bright student who got along well with everyone, so she explained why she was making this life-changing decision. After listening to her concerns, I encouraged Naeranjanie to set up an appointment with our Community Service Worker instructor, Winsome Thomas, who is an experienced student counsellor.  

During this meeting, Winsome analyzed Naeranjanie’s situation and gave her some valuable suggestions for resolving the issues. She was impressed with Winsome’s expert approach, and promised to follow her ideas. She also talked to Education Coordinator, Orjana Treska, about her schedule and tuition fees. With this compassionate support and advice from staff, Naeranjanie felt far more optimistic about her ability to succeed in her education.  

Energized with her new action plan, Naeranjanie rejoined her classes while learning to handle her problems. I was pleased to see her back in my class, participating in discussions and enjoying her studies again. After her recent graduation, I had the chance to speak with her and she told me that she had found a job. Her cheerful demeanour was such a contrast to the hopelessness she had felt during the first days of her course. It is always wonderful to hear of students’ employment in their field, but in Naeranjanie’s case, I was overjoyed.  She showed a true strength of character during her time with Medix School, and overcame her challenges with patience, a positive attitude and, above all, the greatest of success.  

        -Suresh Pradhan, Pharmacy Assistant Instructor, Toronto Campus, Medix School.  

Successful dialogue in your job interview is just as important as your skill set, past experience and work history. When faced with an upcoming interview, many candidates are uncertain of how to articulate their skill and experience, to increase their chances of getting the job. Every interview will have two types of questions to answer: ‘behavioural’ and ‘knowledge’ questions. A well-written résumé reveals a lot in terms of knowledge, but only in an interview can a potential employer uncover your characteristics and true nature. How do you therefore overcome nervousness, to handle each interview with confidence and ease? The answer lies in the following tried and true processes, better known as:

• The 50/50 Rule
• The 30-to-2 Rule
• The GOS Method  

Successful application of these rules and methods will not only distract you from feelings of anxiety, but will also guarantee that you communicate effectively to boost your chances of being hired.  

The 50/50 Rule says to balance listening with speaking, but not in the traditional sense. Rather, the emphasis and importance of our answers must be balanced with the implied value of the question. For example, if your potential employer spends 60 seconds articulating a question and puts visible effort into making it clear and concise, the expectation is that your answer will be equally detailed and well-constructed. If the question takes 60 seconds to ask and the answer is 5 seconds long, the 50/50 balance has been lost. Matching the length, tone and value of your answers to their questions will show that you have superb listening skills, and are in tune with what is important to that organization.  There will be times when short questions require an elaborate answer. These types of questions are known as ‘behavioural’, and generally start with a phrase such as, “Tell me about a time…”, “Describe a situation where…”, “How have you responded to…” In these instances, the 50/50 Rule does not apply because the interviewer has requested an answer without first setting an example or signifying the value of the topic. So, the 30-to-2 Rule is your fall-back: your answer should be a minimum of 30 seconds, maximum of 2 minutes. How will you know how long you’ve been speaking for? An excellent suggestion is to practice. Have someone ask you commonly known interview questions and time your answers -you will soon learn how much you can say in 30 seconds!

Now that you understand appropriate timing for your answers, we can tackle their content. The GOS method ensures your answers are valid and tangible, and contain the GOAL, the OBSTACLE and the SOLUTION. This method is best used when answering ‘behavioural’ questions versus ‘knowledge’ questions.  

Sample Question: “Tell me about a time when your job duties changed without any notice.”

Sample Answer: “One afternoon my in-box was full of expense sheets that needed to be filed (Goal – file the expense sheets) and I had never been responsible for this and didn’t even know what the process was for filing them. (Obstacle – not knowing how to complete the task) I asked my supervisor for some direction and clarification and incorporated the expense sheets into my other weekly filing.” (Solution – get guidance from supervisor and combine with ‘like’ tasks)  

Remember, an interview is just a business meeting with a specific purpose. Understanding the intent behind the questions means that both interviewer and candidate can make the most of it.  

So – are you ready to “Talk the Talk”?

Medix School graduated over 350 students from its Toronto and Brampton campuses on November 21^st, 2010 at the beautiful Toronto Center for the Arts. It was an occasion full of happiness and pride for both students and staff. Some excited students and their families actually arrived two hours early.  

Family and friends waited patiently till all proud graduates walked down the red carpet and then onto the stage to receive their diplomas. Applause was generous for each program group, which included Community Service Worker, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Personal Support Worker, Medical Office Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical and General Lab Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant and Professional Fitness Consultant graduates.  

Peter Dykstra, Vice President Operations Medix School, started the proceedings with a request for everyone to stand and sing the national anthem, which was quite emotional. Toronto Campus Director Robbie McMullan then welcomed everyone and invited honourable keynote speaker Joe Volpe, the Member of Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence. Mr. Volpe gave a rousing and heartfelt speech about the importance of education and why graduates of Medix School, often beset by difficulties at home, inspired him too, a thought echoed by Brampton Campus Director Nasir Ishmail who closed the ceremony.  

Medix School wishes each of these graduates the best of luck in their budding healthcare careers.

Medical Office Assistants play a significant role in running and maintaining the daily activities in the medical offices. These activities demand not only a quality education but also an awareness of the importance of the Code of Ethics.  Medical Office Assistants may experience tensions among different ethical principles, between ethical principles and legal principles or among regulatory requirements.  Training in ethical analysis and decision-making is therefore, useful in the education process. Students must develop their knowledge, skills, and attitude in order to deal with conflicts mentioned above.  

Medical Office Assistant program is designed to train students in understanding the code of ethics which they can apply at their workplace. During the program students learn  

• The fundamental responsibilities of a physician and their responsibility towards their patients and the society.
• Understanding physician-patient relationship and how to process requests for initiating and dissolving a physician-patient relationship.
• Ethical procedures for releasing medical records as to protect the physician and the patient rights.
• Communication, decision making and consent process when dealing with patients and third parties.
• Privacy and confidentiality of patients, physicians and staff.
• Safe and ethical process of record keeping, storing and destroying of patients charts.
• Understanding the role of public health and their integration with Ministry of health and long term care.
• Applying Ontario Medical Association rules and regulations when charging patients or third parties for uninsured services, releasing of patient information and informing patients of these protocols.

The great learning experience in school is always helpful at work place. Employers understand the importance of formal education and give priority to skilful talents.  

It is difficult to identify a single recipe for what makes a good school however, with over 35 years of experience training students in healthcare, Medix School has found an excellent formula which focuses on providing excellent learning resources, offering high quality instruction and having a high level of expectations from our students.

Learning Resources:  

Medix School is dedicated in providing students with the most up to date content and materials within their field.   The curriculum undergoes a vigorous process of evaluation from students, qualified instructors, as well as employers to ensure that the content is relevant and current.  Medix prides themselves in being able to supplement the curriculum with the most innovative resources and methods in teaching.  Medix labs, clinics and teaching facilities are designed to simulate the work environment, so that students are well prepared when they join the work force.  

Instruction:

As a school focused on providing vocational training, we at Medix understand the importance of having instructors who are highly qualified professionals, as well as educators.  Each one of our instructors are equipped with years of professional experience as well as teaching certifications.  We are confident that we have developed an instructional team that is well versed in the curriculum and is extremely competent in delivering the materials to all students, with various styles of learning.   

Students:

Medix School’s success begins and ends with their students, which is why we place a high level of expectation on our students.  Upon graduation we expect our students to continue representing the school within their work field.  We intend not only to train our students to be knowledgeable within their profession, but also have phenomenal interpersonal and soft skills.  Medix believes that the student’s ability to display their combination of occupational and soft skills will play an important part in their individual contribution to the success of an organization.  After completing a Medix School program, we expect our students to be able to exemplify professionalism, dependability and conscientiousness to their organization thereby representing Medix School with the utmost integrity.  

For over 35 years, thousands of students have chosen Medix School to further their education and therefore we take great pride and dedication in our model.  We intend to continue in our growth and development so that we may further improve our recipe for what makes a GREAT school.