Simone Parkes has always wanted to work in the medical field. She began her career in health care at a job that didn’t require post-secondary training, but after giving birth to her son, she decided she wanted to advance her career and enrolled in the Medical Assistant Clinical (MAC) program at New Community Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI). After completing the program, she began working as a medical assistant and has now decided to further her education and become a nurse.
Parkes was working at Summit Health when she became pregnant. When she was on maternity leave, she decided to enroll in NCCTI to obtain her MAC certification. Her cousin completed the MAC program and encouraged her to apply. In order to focus on her education, Parkes quit her job at Summit Health and started working for an RWJBarnabas Health hospital on the weekends.
“I had the support of my family, so that helped me be able to succeed with the program,” Parkes said.
She had been unable to enroll in school previously because she was caring for her parents when they fell ill. Her siblings all live out of state, so she was the person who took her parents to medical appointments and testing. Her husband stepped in to help so that she could focus on her studies, which was a great weight lifted off her shoulders.
“I spoke to my husband about [enrolling in the program]. He’s like, yeah, go ahead. We’ll take it day by day and we’ll figure it out,” she said. “And I’m happy and thankful that I did because I love what I do at my job.”
Parkes now works as a medical assistant in an RWJBarnabas Health multi-specialty pediatric office in West Orange, which offers care in cardiology, urology, allergy and general surgery. She enjoys working with the children and putting them at ease during their appointments. If she has an anxious cardiology patient, she will let the child put on and take off the EKG stickers before starting the procedure so they know what to expect.
“I try to make the experience most comfortable for them. To where they’re leaving all happy,” Parkes said. “That makes my day.”
Her experience in her current role has inspired her to become a pediatric nurse. She enrolled in Essex County College’s nursing program for the fall. She will retain her current job and attend school part-time. She hopes to eventually work in a pediatric emergency department or a pediatric unit in a hospital.
“Those kids need that proper nursing where they’re not going to get upset with what’s going on with the child. They’re going to find the best way to help them heal,” Parkes said.
She said her experience at NCCTI was positive and she recommends the school to anyone interested in launching a career in health care.
“The staff was amazing. The program was amazing,” Parkes said. “Being able to do book work and hands-on was great because we weren’t being thrown out there when we got to a doctor’s office or hospital, not knowing what was going on.”
Instructor Dr. Mamdouh Sorial prepared students for both the certification exam and the work world, according to Parkes. She said he broke down the steps of the medical procedures and provided little tricks to help students remember what to do.
NCCTI Interim Director Frances Teabout is happy the school has been a positive part of Parkes’ journey.
“At NCCTI, we aim to help our students launch their careers in their preferred program of study. It’s fulfilling to hear that Ms. Parkes has found meaningful employment and is continuing her education to further her career goals,” Teabout said. “We wish her great success going forward.”
Parkes lives with her husband and 1-year-old son and has two step-daughters, ages 10 and 5, who live with them part-time.
She is excited to be taking the next step in her educational journey and is thankful to have had NCCTI lay the foundation for her success.
NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.
