The Ross Medical Education Center campus in Kentwood (Grand Rapids area) has had the great pleasure of sending externship students and graduates to MapleCreek Senior Living Community in Grand Rapids for the last three years. The campus frequently sends students from both the Medical Assistant and Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration programs. The community offers to residents everything from independent living cottages to assisted living for residents with dementia and alzheimers. There is also an in-house clinic that hosts doctors with a variety of specialities where the Ross students complete their externships. The students and graduates get the incredible opportunity to work alongside and shadow these doctors as well as the many other highly qualified staff members. Every member of the staff is very friendly, kind, and willing to help the externs and graduates in any way they can. The externs and graduates quickly establish relationships with both staff and residents, enjoying being a part of a team that offers such a high level of care. Not only do they provide incredible care, they also consistently are finding ways to be involved in the community like the annual walk that they host for Alzheimers. The Career Services team at Ross knows that MapleCreek is always willing to take students and give them an unforgettable experience as an extern and even as a member of the team.
To find out more, read the interview below with Dollie Grant, Community Outreach Coordinator and Lauren Bosserman, Nurse Manager of the Terraces:
What do you like about Ross graduates?
We like that they are organized, have great personalities, and they are motivated and career driven.
What is something you like about working with Ross?
Communication is very open between the school and us. It’s always very easy to schedule externships. Ross is always ready, no matter what time or day it is. Usually there is a referral that they can give us at anytime. They have really good employees that are knowledgeable about the community and willing to learn more.
How is the Career Services staff at Ross?
They are organized and very community-minded. Not only do they provide externs, but they also join in with some of our community events. We are pleasantly surprised that they are willing and even wanting to do more than they have to.
How would you describe your experience with having externs from Ross?
It’s very helpful. We have experienced some shortage of staff, so having them here has helped with turnover of patients and doctors. We are able to do a lot of things that we couldn’t do without them.
Overall, how would you assess the success rate of Ross graduates?
100% – We have not had any not succeed.
What’s the main advantage of hiring a Ross graduate?
As externs, they are able work in the environment prior to being hired. It’s much easier to train them and have them start their career. They also do a lot of shadowing, so when it’s time to transition, it’s a really nice, smooth transition.
Overall, what do you like best about working with Ross and their students?
Like Ross, we are a community-minded organization. Ross gives us an extra opportunity to partner with others in the community. Their goals are the same as ours; they want to provide quality service to the community and so do we. Entire classes have come out to support our events on their days off. We really appreciate their partnership.
To learn more about MapleCreek in Grand Rapids, visit their Facebook page or their website at http://www.lssm.org/seniors/maplecreek. You can also give them a call at (616) 452-5900.