8 June 2009

Tiffanie, 21, recently pursued a certificate in Medical Assisting at the Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute (PJCLSI) from January 2008 to October 2008.  Her experience there wasn't the first with Job Corps – she also did an EKG/Phlebotomy course at another Job Corps Location. 

It was Tiffanie’s mother that encouraged her to pursue a health career with the help of Job Corps. She prepared for the Job Corps program academically (in high school, she had an aptitude for math – especially geometry), and practically – her mother has diabetes and Tiffanie has helped to monitor her condition over the years.  

When asked which she prefers, Tiffanie favors phlebotomy over medical assisting: “It’s [phlebotomy] more lab-based.  Medical assisting is more hands-on, and requires more multi-tasking.”  She describes her typical day at the Philadelphia Life Science Institute as very hands-on as well – it starts at 8 a.m. every weekday, followed by lab classes and externships. 

Although she thinks the work at the Philadelphia Life Science Institute is easy, she does note that there is a lot of it – and that teachers will stay on top of you to make sure you get it all done.   Her ultimate goal is to have a good career and help the community.