Working in healthcare you have the opportunity to impact other people's lives every day and for so many NHA certified professionals it's the passion for helping others that motivates them in their career.
This year we celebrated Allied Health Professionals Week - the first week of November - by asking our certification holders to share their stories, and were overwhelmed by over 850 submissions from proud allied health professionals, students, and educators working toward their career dreams.
Here are some of the stories we received...
Eryn Moore, CPT, knew she had a career in healthcare to look forward to after the skills she acquired in the military.
"I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman. When I got out, I decided to stick with phlebotomy (which was part of what I did as a Hospital Corpsman). I had a real knack for it and I got a lot of satisfaction and pride when the patients complimented me and requested me to draw their blood. I've been a phlebotomist for 14 years and still loving it!"
Over and over again NHA certified professionals tell us that helping others is one of their top motivations. Sometimes that's a caring touch, and sometimes it's navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. Theresa De Souza, CBCS, CMAA, takes pride in being able to unravel the world of medical insurance for patients.
"It's always a pleasure to help people, especially in the field of insurance. It is one of the most difficult things for people to understand, myself included at times. There is a wonderful expression on the patient's face when understanding dawns on them."
You never know when your career may take a leap forward. That's what Regina Shea, CPT, realized when she earned her certification after nearly three decades working in healthcare.
"I have been in the medical field since 1986. I started as a receptionist and eventually worked my way through the whole medical office. About two years ago I decided to become an NHA certified phlebotomy technician and I LOVE my job! Many of my patients call me the 'PAINLESS VAMPIRE.' My motto is to 'be efficient with minimal stress to my patients.'
For Jennifer Devose, CPCT, CET, CPT, entering the healthcare industry was life-changing.
"I worked as a waitress for almost 20 years and hated every minute of it. I needed a change. I needed a new career and I needed it fast. I became certified in phlebotomy, EKG, and patient care. I became employed within a few months of earning my certifications as a critical care tech at a level one trauma center in the cardiology department. Fifty-four weeks later I became a telemetry tech at the same hospital. I go home satisfied every day that I have made a difference in someone else's life as a result of my care. I have met so many amazing people from staff to patients to visitors. I am so thankful that I was able to go from a job I hated to a career that I love."
Maria Isabel Gonzalez, CCMA, takes the time to improve and develop a rapport with patients, and it pays off with the families she helps care for.
"Good patient care is my motivation. I work with pediatrics and my greatest happiness is when they interact with me and I see their smiles. A LOT of the mothers tell me, 'It's weird that my baby doesn't cry with you, they usually start crying before coming in.' I take my time with them and try to make them part of everything I do. I explain that I'm going to take their vitals, and sometimes do it on myself first so they can see it doesn't hurt. I love to cheer them up and say comments like 'good job' and 'you're so brave.' They love to hear that from a CCMA. I love my job!"
Thank you to everyone who submitted stories and photos. We will continue to share stories from our certification holders on the Care+Career blog and on social media.
Want to see some of the photos that were submitted? Visit our Allied Health Professionals Week 2017 album.