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An interview with Deanna Nieves who earned her diploma in Medical Assisting and Basic X-Ray Technology at Central Florida Institute in the Tampa Bay area.
Q: How long did the Medical Assisting and Basic X-Ray Technology diploma program take you?
It took 9 ½ months.
Q: What is your current career?
I’m a medical assistant.
Q: Describe a typical day in your current career?
I work in a pediatrics office, so I spend time mostly doing school physicals and making sure that children are up-to-date with their immunizations. I also work the front desk making appointments and taking phone calls, that kind of thing.
Q: How did your training help you get into this career?
Well before I was doing finance work, so with out the training I would never have even been able to apply for a job like this.
Q: Were you happy with the training that you received?
Yeah definitely, I would recommend the school to anyone.
Q: Favorite classes and why were they your favorite?
There was Phlebotomy and basic X-Ray class that were the best.
Q: The teacher in phlebotomy really showed a technique that you would never forget, and was really a good teacher. And, Basic X-Ray was the longest course you had about getting all the basics. Really helped because in the state of Florida only 2 types of people are allowed to take x-rays.
Q: Who was the teacher in that phlebotomy class that you mentioned?
Mr. Senger.
Q: What did you take from the program that you use in your everyday job tasks?
Mostly pharmacology, drawing medicines. You do it everyday, and especially working with kids, it’s a lot of calculations.
Q: What was the most important class/lesson from the program?
At the whole they were all really important.
Q: How much did it cost for you to complete the program?
It was about $12,000.
Q: Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships? Which ones? Were these easy to obtain?
I did have financial aid in the form of education assistance from my previous employer and Pell grants. The school helped me. They have the financial aid department, and they took me step by step because it was not even something I was going to try.
Q: Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?
Full-time.
Q: Were any of your classes online?
I did not take any online.
Q: Did you consider other programs?
Yes, I was considering being a Sonogram technician.
Q: Why did you choose the one you did?
The school gave me access to view a website to see what kind of jobs were available, I wasn’t willing to travel, and there weren’t any jobs in that field in that area.
Q: Would you recommend this school to someone else?
Yes, definitely.
Q: Why?
The teachers stay after class. There’s never a question you couldn’t get an answer to. If they didn’t know they would find out. I’ve heard a lot of bad things about other schools.
But we knew everyone in the school, they were always there to help us, they did a great job. Also, you don’t get phlebotomy or x-ray classes with other medical assisting programs and here you could go either way, with x-ray or cardio technician.
Q: What was the most difficult part of the program for you?
Not really anything too difficult. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, I was in the honor society, and in another group of students helping other students.
Q: About how many other students were in your classes?
They were intimate - about 30 in the medical assisting program. Then it broke into x-ray and cardio and there were about 10 to 15 in each.
Q: For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job? If so, what are they and what do they entail?
There’s a basic x-ray license, and there’s a few accreditations for medical assisting, could be RNA, CNA, or NCNA certifications.
They prepared us to go out and take the tests ourselves, but our class was the last one like that. Now they include the test in the program and in the tuition, so tuition has gone up a little. I graduated in 2009.
Q: Any other advice you would give based on your experiences there?
Make sure you do your research before changing careers so that you know what you’re getting into and what jobs are available, so you don’t have expectations that are unrealistic.
I went from working full time, to going to school full time, I was never a good student, but luckily I was really interested in the subjects so I felt like I dedicated my time, my weekends, to study and really be a good student this time.
Q: Did the school provide any help to ease that transition into becoming a student again?
I think there were classmates that helped me do that. They were in similar situations and we forced ourselves to be better students.
View a list of Florida schools offering x-ray technician programs.
Have you ever thought about being an X-Ray technician? As far as health care jobs go, these professionals have one of the more stable 8 to 5 jobs, especially if they work in a clinic.X-Ray technicians are responsible for taking x-ray images of different body parts to help doctors make a diagnosis. It may sound easy, but doctors often make special requests to the technicians, about the clarity of the images, the angle from which to take the image, and depending on density of the body part to be photographed, special adjustments must be made to the machines. X-Ray technicians are also responsible for the patient’s safety during the x-ray exposure. The technician usually explains the procedure, protects the patient with any necessary protective gear, and makes sure the patient has removed all damaging materials, such as jewelry. While they take the images, and may be pretty sure of what they see in the images, x-ray technicians are normally not allowed to make a diagnosis on their own, rather they transfer the images to the doctor to study and talk about with the patient. After taking x-ray images, they are in some case responsible for processing the images, sending them to the correct doctor, and keeping patient records. They may also be expected to perform routine maintenance on the machines they work with.
X-ray technicians can work in hospitals, clinics or some laboratories, but usually do not have late or rotating shifts as hectic as those of doctors, or other healthcare technicians.
Reasons to consider being an X-Ray Technician:
If you’re considering this profession, here are some more benefits for which to consider going into this career. These benefits are realistic, so that you can make sure you aren’t going into the profession with false ideals.
X-Ray technicians must be good at taking directions from doctors about the images they want to see, they should also be good listeners so that they can make sure not to hurt the patients. Having patience with patients who may be in pain is also going to benefit you if you are an X-Ray technician to allow you to calm the patients down so they don’t move while you are taking the x-ray images.
X-Ray technicians also have a good outlook in terms of job stability. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is one of the fastest growing fields. The growth is expected to be 17 percent between 2008 and 2018. One of the biggest reasons is that this is one job that can’t be outsourced, and still requires human contact to calm and protect the patient.
In Florida, X-Ray technicians make an average of $52,210 per year, but can make more than $74,000 in some cases. Punta Gorda, in Florida, is one of the metro areas, nationwide that employs a large amount of X-Ray technicians and one of the places with higher than average salaries.
In comparison to the rewards and benefits of being an X-Ray technician, the education required is not a lot. When looking for a job as an X-Ray technician, many employers will require drug screening, and certification in CPR, or a Basic Life Support card. The American Heart Association provides this certification to healthcare professionals, to teach them to recognize a health emergency and the proper way to respond to it. The course teaches CPR and the use of automatic external defibrillators.
Advancement is also possible from being an X-Ray technician to become an X-Ray technologist. Technologists as opposed to technicians perform a larger scope of more complicated imaging tests such as mammography tests or magnetic resonance imaging, or they can specialize in just one of those. Advancing to a technologist can be achieved with more education, certifications, or by taking on more responsibilities at your workplace depending on the employer policy.
View a list of Florida schools offering x-ray technician programs.
What it takes to be in the Surgery room
Surgical Technicians, also known as scrubs, have an important responsibility to patients during surgery to maintain a clean and sterile environment while assisting nurses to prepare patients, and prevent diseases and infections.
The environment these professionals work in is fast paced and exiting. It can range from being in a delivery room with a family having their first child, to being in a packed emergency room after a multiple car accident.
Candidates interested in being surgical technicians must be able to respond well and think clearly in emergency situations, have manual dexterity to handle instruments properly and quickly, must be able to follow directions well, and must practice good hygienic standards. Proficiency in math and sciences especially referring to the human body is also required.
The job market for these professionals is expected to grow well in the coming years. According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics, growth is expected at 25 percent from 2008 through 2018.
Education and Beyond
Education programs for surgery technicians at public schools or vocational schools in Florida require 1,330 clock hours, usually between nine months and two years. The schools may award degrees or diplomas, but mostly focus on preparing the students to be eligible to take certification exams through other organizations if they choose to or to go directly into the career.
In Florida, most employers do not require a special certification as long as some related educational program was taken or as long as there is experience working as a surgical technician. Employers however do often give hiring preference to those who have attained certifications. Certifications are provided by a number of organizations, including the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, and the National Center for Competency Testing.
If you become a member of an association for professionals in your field such as the Association of Surgical Technologists, certification exams can be offered at discounted prices of $190 instead of $290.
Certifications for surgery technicians last four or five years. To renew them after that period, some agencies will require an additional course or study time to refresh the basics, or may offer it as an alternative to taking the test again. This option is usually cheaper.
Basic Life Support provider cards are required. The American Heart Association provides this certification to healthcare professionals, like surgical technicians, to teach them to recognize a health emergency and the proper way to respond to it. The course teaches CPR and the use of automatic external defibrillators. The course first requires an online cognitive test and later a skills test. The first part of the test costs $17.50. Courses of about four hours are also available through the American Heart Association.
According to the Association of Surgical Technologists, in Florida, surgical technicians can make an average hourly pay of $17.33. The Department of Labor said in 2008, median wages for surgical technologists were at $38,740, but some have earned more than $54,000. They also say that professionals who have been certified often are paid higher wages than those with out certifications.
View a list of schools in Florida offering surgical tech programs.
An interview with Tom Kumke, a current surgical technician student at Southwest Florida College.
Q: What campus are you attending?
The Port Charlotte campus.
Q: What’s the nature of the program you’re attending?
I’m in the surgery tech program, it’s an Associates degree program, and I’m half way through.
Q: What is your current career?
I’m in Retail.
Q: Describe a typical day in school for you?
We are just half way, so I’m getting my early classes out of the way. I just started an anatomy and physiology class. Right now a typical day is 4 hours of class lectures, taking quizzes every week, and learning terminology and all the basics.
I’m working hard during the day at work and at school in the evenings. I’ll have some early afternoon classes next semester too.
Q: Are you happy with the training that you received so far?
So far so good.
!: How long is the program?
It’s 2 years.
Q: What are your favorite classes and why are they your favorite?
I do enjoy anatomy and physiology most. It’s the core of my degree and the teacher does a really good job.
Q: Who is the teacher?
Dr. Intress.
Q: How much did it cost for you to complete the program?
I don’t know exactly. I know they gave me the figure in the beginning, but it was so big I didn’t look at it again. I can say through Pell grants, financial aid, and my employer’s reimbursement, it’s definitely been affordable.
Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships? Which ones? Were these easy to obtain?
I do have financial aid in the form of Pell grants, but the school takes care of all that. They do the paperwork for me. That part has been really easy, however to get reimbursed through my employer at Lowes has been a little more difficult, but they’re really good about it. It’s an excellent program they have.
Q: Do you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?
Technically ¾, but I consider myself full time. I take an average of 9-12 credits per semester.
Q: Were any of your classes online?
I took one online, career development. It’s an elective but it may be a required elective, they signed me up for it.
Q: Did you consider other programs before going into the surgery tech program?
Not really, I saw some stuff about the program, did some research online, and thought that this sounded like something I wanted to do. Then my wife signed me up and told me I started on Monday.
Q: Why did you choose the one you did?
At age 43, I decided I just thought this was something I might want to do you know, and then my wife decided I should.
Q: What was the most difficult part of the program for you?
Just finding the time. Being a full-time parent and employee, and at the same time just getting used to going back to school. It’s been 25 years of not going back to school. It took a long time before my brain started getting used to listening and remembering things.
Q: Do they offer help for students like you who have been out of school for a long time?
They got a lot of things there that I haven’t taken advantage of.
They have special instruction which is like tutoring, and they have mentoring. I haven’t taken advantage of that because I just think if I can’t get myself to do it, you know, my problem was just getting myself in the right frame of mind. I’ve been a drone employee for the past 25 years. They do have help though.
Q: About how many other students are in your classes?
About 14 to 15 students. It is nice because the teacher has time to do individual interaction. You’re not overwhelmed, and you get to ask questions.
Q: For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job? If so, what are they and what do they entail?
There is a certification from what I understand. I have to do the test, but they do prepare you for that. From what I understand I should be prepared, and I will hold them to that.
Q: If there were online classes, how was the experience of online versus a classroom setting?
I hate it. I’d much rather be in a classroom where I can interact with the teacher and ask questions, but you know some people love it, the relaxed atmosphere of it.
For me, I prefer to be scheduled. I need that structure to make sure I allot the time so I can treat it like a job and do the work. The other thing of not being able to talk to the instructors is a big thing for me.
Q: Did you feel that you were able to learn as well as you would have in the classroom setting, and would you take one again?
I would take them occasionally depending on the class. I would rather take it online than drive to Fort Myers if they didn’t offer it on my campus, but the more important the instructor is, like with my anatomy class, the more I want to take it in a classroom setting.
I had some bad experiences but I did fine in the end. Overall, I just didn’t care for it and the way it was run.
Q: Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Actually I’ve already recommended it to some of the people I work with. I did it because the programs that they offer are good, if it’s what they’re interested in. The school is well run, and the instructors are very knowledgeable. It’s not just get your degree and get out. They will work with you to find a job and make sure you get all the right certifications, and make sure you stay on track. This is what they told me when I started and then I found it to be true since I’ve been there.
View a list of all schools offering surgical technician programs in Florida.
An interview with Roxana Perez, a student studying to become an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) at City College in Miami.
What school did you attend?
City College in Miami
What program?
Emergency Medical Technician. It’s an associate degree, which is a two year program, but you can choose to take another two years once you complete it for a paramedic program, and that’s what I’m doing so it’s 4 yrs to be a paramedic.
I’m a sophomore.
How has your training been so far?
Training so far has been okay, they don’t let you start any medical programs until you do some requirements for the associates. Basically it’s the Math, English, Psychology and other elective classes that sometimes have nothing to do with what you’re studying. But then sometimes like with psychology, you can see how it s going to help you to understand people.
Are you happy with the training that you’ve received?
Not necessarily excited like I was once at this point, but little by little the medical classes are more exciting and I’m just starting to get into them. At the beginning it’s very though.
Favorite classes and why they are your favorite?
My favorite right now is my anatomy and physiology class. It’s my first step into learning about the medical field, so I’m learning the basic knowledge about the body and terminology and everything is first hand. It’s something that I love. At 6:00 when I have that class, that’s a class I know I’m not going to be late to and I put my full focus on.
How much did it cost for you to complete the program?
At the beginning when I was first shopping around, I was told it would be $32,000 in total, but once you sit down and really look at it, it’ll be a little bit more than that because they do require you to purchase the books online through their school website. They don’t give you another choice if you’re just a student you do as they tell you. For me books are getting more expensive especially my medical books, so renting books for me is so much better I wish I could go back in time and do it the first year too. The only thing is when you don’t buy the books through them, they do call you down. They do question you about why you’re not doing it on their website but they haven’t told me not to. They just tell you that you have your loans and financial aid why not use it? Basically to scare you off they ask why are you paying out of pocket. For me it’s more common sense to pay $30 out of my pocket now than to pay $155 in the long run.
Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships? Which ones? Were these easy to obtain?
I have received government Pell grants. Scholarships I’ve just been looking at this year. I talked to one of my advisors, they told me to be careful because they don’t accept all of them. The financial aid advisor does everything for you for the grants. And I have about two student loans.
Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?
Full time.
Were any of your classes online?
No, they do have that option but it’s very limited. They don’t offer a lot of classes online they might have like three or four out of the ones you need. No I would not take any online anyway.
Did you consider other programs?
No I already knew what I wanted to do.
Why did you choose the school you’re at?
I was stuck between about two schools. The other one was a faster program but it was all about student loans. It was so much cheaper and faster but once I spoke to the advisors at City College and told them I was shopping around they automatically shut me down. They told me that school doesn’t offer associates they only certify you. So I thought what’s better? So I went on and told them ok, it’ll cost me more and be harder and, but in the long run I thought it would be better to have my associates degree. Later I found out they do offer associates degrees at the other school and it does cost less but it’s only online.
Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?
I would say I would just because you would finish faster and classes are so small. There are about 10 to 15 students so there is more teacher interaction. When ever you need a tutor your teacher tutors you for free at your time in case you need any help. Basically that’s why I would recommend it, but overall through expenses and the way they handle things and choose to communicate, I wouldn’t. It’s very hard if you need to sit down and talk to your advisor. It’s hard to communicate and then it’s very expensive too.
Was that or something else the most difficult part of the program for you?
Yes, that actually {the communicating to advisors}
About how many other students were in your classes?
Yea, it’s about 10 to 15. That is one of the best things they do. There is more of the interaction with teachers instead of a class of 40 where you get stuck in the back, and they try to group all the business students or all the EMT students together, so it feels like your going through the process with them. They’re great about that, it’s definitely very friendly; everybody knows everybody at City College so their not that bad. It’s very friendly you’ll feel very comfortable with your classes and little by little it’s getting bigger too. They’re putting up newer buildings.
For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job? If so, what are they and what do they entail?
You need to have certification and a license for every stepping stone: EMT Assistant EMT 1 and 2. In order to pass you do have to pass the state exam and have all your certifications and the license. When you take the exam you get to choose whether you want to take the state or national exam.
Is the state/national exam the one to get your license?
From what I could remember yes for the state/national exam is for the license, to be certified you would need to take a written and practical exam and register with the state.
Can you get a job before you have your license, with just the certifications?
Definitely you can have a job with only a certification, but you will be limited on the things you are going to be able to do and I believe salary also decreases slightly.
At City College, are they going to certify you through your classes? In other words, which of these requirements are you going to have completed when you graduate City College?
City College will provide all the training and classes I need, but it is up to me to take my exams, register, and get certified and of course actually pass all requirements. It’s possible that when I graduate City College I will have completed all EMT 1 and 2 as well as being certified and licensed as a Paramedic.
If you’re interested in a medical career but want a quicker education and a calmer setting, a phlebotomy career could be just what you’re looking for. Phlebotomy technicians work in clinical lab settings, drawing blood from patients to examine it for diseases or abnormalities.
The Department of Labor’s Bureau of labor statistics, reports that the job market for laboratory technicians such as phlebotomy technicians is rapidly growing. They are expecting 14 percent growth over the next eight years.
Getting Started
If you want to be a good phlebotomy technician, some of the skills you need to have are being organized, hygienic, responsible, and you must have a good level of judgment to be analytical.
According to the Florida department of education, in the state of Florida, a majority of employers may require a certification to practice phlebotomy, but not all do. Certifications are not provided by the state, rather there are a few different agencies that can provide the testing for the certification. Two of these organizations include, the National Health Career Association and the American Medical Technologist. In addition, some employers may also provide the certification they ask for themselves. Preparation for the career and the certification exam is offered at a number of schools in Florida.
Education
The schools that offer phlebotomy career preparation follow state curriculum which calls for 165 hours of classes. Taking other health related programs at some schools, like general programs for lab technologists, will also include education that will prepare students if they want to take a phlebotomy certification test or to get a job in that career.
As a requirement to begin the post secondary career preparation, most schools will require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Some of the curriculum includes learning, the safe handling of equipment in the lab, how to recognize emergency situations and how to react to them, and learning to identify anatomic structures, their functions, and recognize blood diseases. Language arts, math and science knowledge is also expected.
The cost for phlebotomy career preparation varies a lot from school to school. On average it can cost less than a thousand dollars. Certification exams may cost an additional $100.
View a list of schools offering phlebotomy programs in Florida.
Getting a Job
Phlebotomy technicians can look for work at hospitals, private clinics, and different laboratories.
Their salaries also vary on the size of the facilities in which they work. On average, the American Society for Clinical Pathology estimates they make between $12.50 and $13 per hour, but some phlebotomists can earn more than $40,000 per year.
An interview with Heather Callahan who attended a Communications program at City College, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
What program did you study?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
What is your current career?
I am a writer for a sports publication.
Describe a typical day in your current career?
I am on the road frequently, and I am a writer and editor of my own column for a magazine and online Nascar publication.
How did your training help you get into this career?
Without my degree I would not be able to write for this particular company, nor travel, meet new people, or do any of the things I am currently doing.
How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?
I would not be where I am in my life.
Were you happy with the training that you received?
Yes and Florida was absolutely beautiful. My education is the main reason I am where I am today.
How long was the program?
4 years.
What was your favorite class and why was it your favorite?
The classes that weren’t math or science. I have always been a writer at heart.
What did you take from the program that you use in your everyday job tasks?
I am a writer. Everything I learned in college has some length of affect on my daily life.
What was the most important class/lesson from the program?
Different writing styles, learning what mine was, and becoming comfortable with it was the most important.
Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships?
I worked part time, and I had several different student loans, as an out of state student expenses were higher for me.
Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?
Full time.
Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?
Yes, I am where I am today due to those professors at City College, and from other classes and seminars, I tell everyone I can about my experience there.
Are you interested in learning more about City College?
An interview with Greg, who owns a freelance Web design business and completed the Web Site Designer Program at Florida Career College.
Q: Why did you decide to get this type of training?
A: I have always had an interest in computers and technology, but I also wanted to have my own business. I suppose you can say I am not someone who likes to work for other people. So, I was looking for a way to have a work from home career that would allow me to be my own boss while doing something that I like to do.
Q: What is your current career?
A: I am currently building up my own web design company. It is kind of difficult because there are a lot of other people out there who are also trying to start their own work from home businesses. Competing against people from countries with a lower cost of living makes it difficult to command the rates I think I deserve. Things are still in the early stage, but I think I will be able to get this business off the ground.
Q: How did your training help you get into this career?
A: Since I am still in the early stages of building up my business, I think it is difficult to say. Still, I really feel like the training is going to help me. Not only has it taught me some of the tricks of the trade, it also looks good on my resume when I am competing with other people for a job. I think the training helps make me stand out from other people in the business because many people who are trying to start web design businesses don’t actually have training in the area.
Q: How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?
A: The program really provided me with a lot of great resources and information that has helped me hone my craft. I already knew some things about web design before I enrolled in the program, but it helped take things further. If I hadn’t enrolled in the program, I am sure I would have continued to learn things on my own, but it would have taken me a lot longer to get to the point that I am today.
Q: Were you happy with the training that you received?
A: Yes. The teachers were helpful and knowledgeable.
Q: What was your favorite class?
A: I would have to say that the graphics and animation classes were the most fun. You can really do a lot of cool things where that is concerned.
Q: What class do you think was the most useful?
A: Definitely the programming classes. I had taught myself some of that information, but the classes helped fill in the gaps in my knowledge and helped me learn how to do it more efficiently.
Q: How long did it take you to complete the program?
A: About a year.
Q: How much did it cost for you to complete the program?
A: Wow. That is difficult for me to say. I got some financial assistance to help me with the cost and I didn’t really keep track of all of the expenses. I would say my total personal costs were around $2,000.
Q: Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis? What was it like? What kind of hours did you attend?
A: I went full time, which really wasn’t too bad because I was using the skills I gained to work toward building up my business. So, I wasn’t trying to balance a day job while going to school, it was more like I was building my business as part of my homework.
Q: Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I would. I found the coursework to be very helpful and the teachers really knew what they were talking about.
Q: If you could do it all over again, would you?
A: Yes. I am confident that the time I took to complete the program will really pay off in the end.
Q: What was the most difficult part of the program for you?
A: That’s hard to say. I didn’t find anything to be particularly difficult because I really enjoyed what I was learning. I suppose dealing with my impatience was the most difficult part. I just wanted to be done so I could focus completely on getting my business going.
Q: About how many other students were in your classes?
A: I don’t think there were ever any more than 20 students in any of my classes.
If you’re interested in enrolling in a web design or digital design program in order to become a web site designer like Greg, check out our list of schools in Florida offering art programs.
If you are planning to go to school in Florida, you may be considering obtaining a student loan in order to help pay for the costs. While a student loan is a great way to get the money you need without having to pay high interest rates, you will be happy to know that the state has many grant programs and other sources of financial aid available. While there are some restrictions associated with some of the financial aid opportunities, there is a good chance that you may be eligible for one of these programs. Here’s a look at a few of the programs that are available in the state of Florida.
Access to Better Learning and Education Grant Program (ABLE)
The Access to Better Learning and Education, or ABLE, Grant Program is for undergraduate students who are enrolled in a degree program offered through a Florida college or university that is eligible for the program. To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each term and you cannot be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree in divinity or theology.
Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program provides assistance to teachers in Florida who have a valid Florida Department of Health License or Florida Teacher’s Certificate. To be eligible for the program, teachers must be teaching full-time at a publicly-funded school and teach in an area that is experiencing a critical teacher shortage.
Critical Teacher Shortage Tuition Reimbursement (CTSTR) Program
The Critical Teacher Shortage Tuition Reimbursement, or CTSTR, program is designed to provide financial support to public school employees with a valid Florida Department of Health License or Florida Teacher’s Certificate. To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in courses leading to a degree in a subject area where there is a critical shortage of teachers.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant
The Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant is a Federal grant that is meant to encourage high school students to take vigorous coursework while in high school. The assistance is available to students attending a two-year or four-year postsecondary program at an institution that is participating in the Title IV Federal Financial Aid program.
The National Science and Mathematic Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent, or SMART, Grant, provides undergraduates with up to $4,000 in grant money to help pay toward their third and fourth years of study. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the program.
The First Generation Matching Grant Program
The First Generation Matching Grant Program is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate a financial need. In order to be eligible, your parents cannot hold a degree and you must be enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program provides three different lottery-funded scholarships, including the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award, the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award. All three awards are rewarded to high school students who have met GPA, testing and coursework requirements.
Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program
The Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program provides assistance to Florida residents who are enrolled in a degree program that requires 450 or more clock hours of study. Students must meet financial requirements and be enrolled in a minimum of 180 clock hours per term in order to be eligible.
William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Program
The William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant, or FRAG, Program is designed to provide tuition assistance to Florida residence who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours in order to be eligible for the program.
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program
The Florida Student Assistance Grant, or FSAG, Program provides assistance to Florida residents who demonstrate financial need. The program contains four different grants. They are:
- The Florida Public Student Assistance Grant – for students attending state universities and public community colleges
- The Florida Private Student Assistance Grant – for students attending eligible private, non-profit, four-year colleges and universities
- The Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant – for students who attend eligible private colleges and universities that are not covered by the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant
- The Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant – available to students who are attending eligible career centers or community colleges
Florida Work Experience Program
The Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP) offers student work experiences to eligible Florida students who demonstrate a financial need. To be eligible for the program, you must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per term and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Other Financial Aid Opportunities
This is only a sampling of the financial aid opportunities that are available to students in the state of Florida. Therefore, it is important to discuss your situation with an advisor at the college where you plan to attend in order to make certain you are taking advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to you. In addition, make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as many of these opportunities require completion of this application and filling out the FAFSA will help make you eligible for other opportunities that might be available.
An interview with a dental assistant for Sunrise Dental Clinic. While willing to answer all of the questions, the interviewee has chosen to stay anonymous.
Q: How long have you been a dental assistant?
A: Eighteen years.
Q: What type of training did you have to become a dental assistant?
A: I was trained on the job and I continued education classes at Broward College.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
A: Everything. Just being able to interact with people and help people and to learn new things everyday. I like every aspect of my job. I can’t pick out one in particular. I like my patients, and I like to treat them as I am treated.
Q: Describe your typical day on the job.
A: Very busy. Clock in, check my charts, get my patients ready. Once the patients come in, we just get ready for what that work entails. That’s everyday. Sometimes we take x-rays. Besides that, working with the doctor doing different procedures. It’s such a broad spectrum of what I do everyday.
Q: What career were you in before becoming a dental assistant? Do you feel that it helped prepare you for becoming a dental assistant?
A: I was a schoolteacher and a financial service clerk. It’s helped me tremendously because I am a people person. Being a schoolteacher helped me deal psychologically with people.
Q: What traits do you feel are necessary to be successful as a dental assistant?
A: You have to know how to communicate. So, communication skills are important. And you have to learn your skills. And you have to be good at it. You have to learn to take instructions and follow them. You need to be ambitious, too. You have to have an open mind and be very observant.
Q: Would you say it’s imperative to have a college education for a career such as this one?
A: Yes. I do have one. But it’s not required.
Q: Even though it’s not required, do you feel it helped you get this job, as opposed to someone who didn’t get a college education?
A: Definitely. They have good reason to pass a high school graduate up. But not me, unless I didn’t have a good personality.
Q: Would you recommend this career to someone else?
A: Yes, definitely. I recommend this as a career because it’s a stable job, you can make good money, and you can always advance. If you want to be more than an assistant, you can go back to school to become, say, a hygeinist. The more credentials, the more the money you get. With college, there are more doors open for you.
Q: What is your next career move, if any?
A: I don’t think I have another one, because I’m nearing retirement. I’m sixty-two and I want to leave here and retire.
Does Dental Assisting sound like it could be a good career for you? Find a dental assisting program near you in Florida.
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