On the Job at Ross: What It's Like to be a Medical Billing and Coding Instructor?

Interested in teaching medical billing and coding, but not sure what to expect? Jennifer Sater, Registered Medical Assistant/Allied Health Instructor at Ross in Port Huron  and a former Ross grad  talks about what it's like to be an instructor.

How did you begin your career as an instructor with Ross?
I graduated from Ross in 2005 with a certificate in Medical Assisting. I told my instructors that once I had 3 years of experience (a requirement for the instructor position), I wanted to return to teach. After 3 years at a pediatrics office, I applied for a teacher's aide position and was eventually hired as an instructor.

What is the most rewarding part about teaching?
I love watching students achieve their goals. Some of our students haven't set foot in a classroom in 30 years. Everyone has a story and a reason for wanting to return to school  whether it's personal or financial. The best part is being able to see them progress in the classroom and hear about their success in finding a job. The students are a real inspiration to me.

Being an instructor also means that I get to give back to the community. Our campus participates in a lot of community service events, whether it's hosting a food drive or walking in the town's parade. It's a great way to network with potential employers for our students.

What advice would you give to someone who has never taught before, but is considering becoming an instructor?
Organization and time management skills are two important keys to being successful in this job. You also have to really like people and be able to leave any personal issues at the door.

In the beginning, teaching can be overwhelming because there is a lot of prep work to be done outside of class, from reviewing text books to lesson plans. This could mean setting aside time at night, on the weekends or after work. Most of the individuals who felt that the job wasn't for them weren't prepared for the time commitment. However, it does get easier and Ross offers a great deal of support to its staff.

Starting as a teacher's aide allowed me to absorb the coursework and observe instructor-student interaction. The self-confidence I gained from being a TA led me to take the next step and become a teacher.

What sort of support does Ross provide for individuals who have never taught before?
Ross has in-house training for every program offered. The trainers continue to support you to make sure you understand the curriculum and can teach it to the students. All of the lessons are pre-planned, so you'll know which topics need to be covered each day. In addition, co-workers and other teachers are there to answer any questions that arise. The Director of Education is also available to assist you with the curriculum.

How do you keep current with changes in your industry?
The medical billing and coding profession is constantly changing, especially considering the shift to electronic medical records. In order to stay credentialed with the American Medical Technologists (AMT), I need to obtain 30 continuing education credits (CEUs) every 3 years. I also keep in touch with local medical offices to find out what they're looking for in a potential employee and we then discuss how to incorporate that into the classroom. 

Apply Online Today
Ross is currently looking for instructors for its Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration programs at its Michigan campuses in Canton, Davison, Flint, and Saginaw; and at its Ohio campuses in Dayton, Cincinnati, Niles and Sylvania and Cincinnati campuses.

Visit us online at www.myrosscareer.com.