Personal Statement Of Purpose: A Career As A Medical Assistant

Waking up in the middle of the night coughing and gasping for air occurred on a regular basis for me as a child. I slept with an inhaler and a nebulizer next to my bed in the event of the next attack. My asthma attacks were frightening for my parents and especially for me as I felt as if I was on the verge of death whenever I suddenly could not breathe. Although I was always in and out of emergency rooms and doctor visits at a young age, having tried everything from nebulizer treatments to bronchodilators, I was always comforted by the doctors and nurses who always took the time to explain and alleviate any concerns and anxiety I had. Seeing their devotion to their profession and for patient care has motivated me to pursue graduate study in the field of nursing to invest my future to coordinate and implement quality healthcare for others.
Coming from a humanities background in Social Welfare studying critical social problems affecting millions across the country, I
[recognized] that healthcare is one of the major [services] that people have difficulty accessing. People experience both acute and chronic health-related issues on a daily basis that affect their day-to-day functioning, which can influence other factors in their lives as well. When a person is managing a disease or even feeling general malaise, he or she would not be able to and would not feel motivated to carry out essential daily tasks, such as simply going to school or completing assignments at work. The World Health Organization states, “…the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” With this understanding, I want to be a part of the team that helps facilitate and execute patient services so people have access and receive the best care possible.
Working as a medical assistant has given me the opportunity to experience providing patient care.
During my externship at a [primarily] geriatric clinic, I was able practice phlebotomy, administer injections, perform EKGs and urine dipsticks, assist the doctor in minor surgery, and learn about general diseases and conditions that affected the older population. At my current job in a pediatric clinic, alongside learning how to perform additional medical skills but in a child-specific setting, I have gained experience in providing front office support in verifying insurance eligibility, processing payments, and helping with patient registration. I have been able to develop an understanding from the front and back end of a medical office that healthcare involves many factors, from eligibility to types of vaccines used, to determine what types of services a patient needs and receives. These experiences have given me knowledge and the [starting] ability to help assess, advocate, and execute patient
care. Growing accustomed to a clinical setting, [after a while,] I was able to recognize specific services and treatments that certain patients would need. When a two-year-old child comes to the clinic for her annual physical, but the parents are also concerned about speech delay, I automatically know that aside from taking the usual vitals and administering immunizations that she will possibly need a referral for speech therapy for assessment. When a child comes in complaining of wheezing and cough, I will need to measure her oxygen level with a pulse oximeter and prepare a nebulizer treatment. My job has given me the knowledge and tools that would prepare me to undertake advanced training in learning to evaluate comprehensive health needs. [This CNL/Case management] program will grant me the opportunity to work with members of a health team to assess, advocate, plan, and facilitate clinical services for patients in need in order to fulfill the health standard that every individual has the right to receiving.