For 28 years AMT member Laura Kolalis, RMA, has been coming to work at Lifecircle Women’s Health in Palos Heights, IL with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. At the outset, her medical assisting duties were mostly administrative in nature. Laura now spends time performing clinical duties as well and considers herself blessed to have worked with doctors that teach new skills and encourage continuing education.
Excited to learn new things and freshen up her professional knowledge, Laura decided to obtain her RMA certification three years ago. AMT’s work experience route was important to Laura and allowed her to obtain certification even though she graduated from school years prior. Laura’s efforts have affected the practice in other ways, too. Since getting her RMA certification, her practice now looks for AMT-certified applicants when hiring new medical assistants.
“AMT certification has given me confidence in knowing I am qualified for my position and that my skills are up to date,” says Laura. One skill Laura prides herself on is her ability to connect with her patients while performing clinical tasks. She feels that one of the most important jobs she does is interview patients before the doctor sees them, allowing her to provide the doctors with information to help treat their patients. This patient connection is especially helpful with elderly patients or new moms who are experiencing new things. Laura takes an extra few minutes to listen and understand their concerns.
“AMT certification has given me confidence in knowing I am qualified for my position and that my skills are up to date.”
“Things are constantly changing and as an MA we have to be willing to learn new ways of doing things. When I started working, we wrote peoples’ appointments in a book, and now everything is electronic. AMT encourages continuing education which proves that it is an organization committed to its members” said Laura.
When she’s not working, Laura enjoys swimming, reading, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Laura also enjoys visiting with her younger sister who was diagnosed with relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis and lives in a nursing home.