A Fresh Start: Clinical Medical Assisting Graduate Spotlight with Sayde Silva

Sayde Silva loves caring for people, and she has always wanted a career in the medical field. Before she became a student at San Joaquin Valley College, Sayde had worked as a Certified Nursing Assisting (CNA) and was taking classes online, searching for the right fit to further her career. The Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC in Visalia turned out to be exactly what she was looking for—and it’s a program that you can build on, should she choose to further her education.

When did you graduate from the Clinical Medical Assisting program?

I graduated on October 26, 2023, not only with my certificate in clinical medical assisting but also with my associate degree in science.

What did you do before attending SJVC?

I was going to a community college in Lemoore, attending classes online. But it was difficult, not much help was given from faculty or staff. I also worked as a CNA, when I lived in Hawaii.

Why did you decide to enroll at SJVC?

I decided to attend SJVC because I wanted a fresh start and chance in my education. I moved to the Central Valley in the summer of 2022 and had heard about SJVC being an accelerated, hands-on college. I wasn’t learning much at the online program I was enrolled in at the time and decided to switch over to SJVC.

What made you want to study Clinical Medical Assisting?

I’ve always wanted to be part of the medical field (since the age of ten), and I wanted to get better grades. The Clinical Medical Assisting program caught my attention as I could continue on to another program afterward if I wanted to. As I already have medical experience, I thought it’d be a nice opportunity to learn more.

I decided on the Clinical Medical Assisting program because medical assistants often serve as the first point of contact for patients, assisting with paperwork, scheduling appointments, and providing support during their visit. Their interactions can significantly impact the patient’s overall experience and satisfaction with the healthcare provider. I love helping people in general and being that person that could make a difference in someone’s day or life means everything to me.

What was your favorite part of the program?

My favorite part about the program had to be injections and venipuncture. I got over my fear of needles for starters but at the end of those modules I felt confident and ready to do the task I was asked too.

What did you find to be the most challenging parts of the program?

I feel like the most challenging part for me was medical coding. Knowing and understanding what the codes mean was a bit challenging.

The personal challenge I had during the program was being the new kid around town. It felt different, being in a new area and attending school in person. Throughout the program, though, I made some friends that helped me through it until the end.

Where did you do your externship, and what were some of the things you did there?

I completed my externship at Seqouia Institute for Surgical Services, which is an orthopedic clinic located in Visalia. My experience there was great. It kept me on my toes and gave me the opportunity to use my knowledge from school in a real-life setting. Some of my responsibilities were to room my patients, document vitals taken, and then pull up on the screen the images that the patient had for the doctor or nurse practitioner to look at. Also, when it wasn’t as busy, I answered phone calls and helped schedule or cancel appointments for patients.

Where do you work now, and what are some of your responsibilities?

I currently work at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera as a Medical Imaging Specialist that specializes in MRI. Some of my responsibilities are bringing my patients from the waiting room and asking them the screening form questions (a form that helps us be aware of whether a patient is MRI safe). I then make sure that the patient is dressed appropriately before going inside of the machine. If the tech needs help setting the patient up inside of the machine, I do that as well. Other responsibilities include confirming appointments and researching implants for patients having certain surgeries. Every day is a new day, and I’m happy to be part of this department.

Do you have any advice for someone who is just beginning the Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC?

My advice to anyone that is beginning the Clinical Medical Assisting program is that it’s exciting and challenging. There will be days that are hard but it’s going to get better! You’ll receive hands-on training because the teachers here are amazing at what they do and have so much patience and understanding in taking care of their students. Communication is key! Ask questions! Don’t ever think ANY question you ask is silly, because I guarantee that someone else in the classroom is wondering the same thing. Lastly, have fun and enjoy your time, because these courses go by within the blink of an eye.