Thirteen students recently graduated from Montgomery County Community College’s Medical Billing Specialist program. Back row, from left: Deb Johnson, MCCC’s Director of Workforce Development Bernadette DeBias, Meredith Whomsley, MCCC Instructor Michael Duffy, Maureen Ruf, Nancy Yarzabek, Lydia Espaillat, Teri McClintok and Matthew Angney. Front row, from left: Erin Petruska, Annemarie Sorontino, Katrina Greene, Judith Sursa, Deb Dearden and Karen Buchhalter.
Thirteen students recently graduated from Montgomery County Community College’s Medical Billing Specialist program held at the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell.
The graduates are Matthew Angney, Pottstown; Karen Buchhalter, Hatfield; Deb Dearden, Abington; Lydia Espaillat, Harleysville; Katrina Greene, Glenolden; Debra Johnson, Collegeville; Theresa McClintok, Eagleville; Erin Petruska, Abington; Maureen Ruf, Horsham; Annemarie Sortino, Norristown; Judith Sursa, Lansdale; Meredith Whomsley, Souderton; and Nancy Yarzabek, Phoenixville.
Graduate Theresa McClintok enrolled in the program after the business where she was employed for many years closed.
“I decided it was time to make a change, or at the very least, expand on my skills. Thanks to PA CareerLink and Montgomery County Community College’s Workforce Division, I was able to do both,” said McClintok, who through this program has had job interviews even before taking the national certification exam. “The instructors were outstanding. They truly care and are focused on helping us to succeed and do well.”
The graduates are now qualified and scheduled to take the national certification exam for Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) through the National Healthcareer Association. This certification will enable them to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician offices, surgery centers, nursing homes, dental offices, home healthcare agencies, mental health facilities, insurance companies and consulting firms. The CBCS credential is offered as part of the tuition cost, and students sit for the exam on campus.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook in this field is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028, which is much fasters than the average for all occupations.
MCCC collaborates with several businesses who employ medical billing specialists, including Office Practicum in Fort Washington, PA, a technology-based pediatric billing software company.
“We have hired three graduates following externships experience in the past,” said Bonnie Gallagher, Talent Acquisition Manager at Office Practicum. “Those employees are still with us today.”
MCCC will be holding an information session on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 118 of Parkhouse Hall, Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. Classes will start Feb. 11, 2020 and will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Director of Workforce Development Bernadette DeBias at bdebias@mc3.edu.