Career Spotlight: Joshua Kundra

Please provide a bio about you. Include your name, what you studied, where you attended school and campus (ex: CCAC-North) and what year you graduated. Tell us anything here you'd like us to know about you!

Joshua is a 30-year-old Certified Medical Assistant. He was a South campus student who started the Medical Assistant program in May of 2021 and finished in August 2022. Joshua currently works as a Certified Medical Assistant at a Primary Care Physician's office in Pittsburgh. He enjoys working in his field very much. 

Joshua was previously a CCAC student. He was undecided about what he wanted to study, so he enrolled in some general studies courses. When he decided to return to CCAC after his absence, he was nervous about whether he could keep up with his classes. He dove right back into his studies and took his class work very seriously. As a result, he earned a steady 4.0 average. Joshua believes it is never too late to get an education, and his experience has shown him that it is well worth the effort. Joshua sees finishing the Medical Assistant program as a huge milestone in his life.

 

How did you choose your major? What motivated you to choose that field/profession?

I chose my major in the healthcare field due to working as a nurse's aide in the past. Working in nursing homes, which involved taking care of the elderly, opened my eyes to healthcare in general. I really enjoyed being able to help and care for the residents. When I was in my early 20's, my dream was to become a registered nurse. When I decided to return to CCAC in 2021, I chose the Medical Assistant program. I believe it's a good field for entering the healthcare world. It gave me all the basic knowledge and tools I need to care for the patients in a medical setting.

 

What did you enjoy about attending CCAC? Do you have any memorable moment to share?

I had a wonderful professor at CCAC who made my experience there very enjoyable. Professor Brady helped guide our class into becoming professional and competent Medical Assistants. Being a part of a team (my class) was the best part of school. We all supported each other and helped one another to get through all the stress school brings.

 

How involved were you at CCAC? For instance, did your studies take you to other countries? Did you have internships or Co-Ops? Clinicals and/or practicums? Were you a part of any clubs, sports, or extracurriculars? (please list as much detail as possible). 

The Medical Assistant program allowed me to do an externship during my final semester. I was able to put my skills to the test at a doctor's office where I worked with the patients who were receiving care at the practice. It also gave me experience in exploring the Electronic Medical Record software. 

 

Did any of these experiences lead you into realizing your passions for work and career? If so, how?

Going through the Medical Assistant program sparked my interest in studying how the human body operates and functions. I learned so many interesting topics related to all aspects medical, which helped me realize what an important role each person plays when they work in the healthcare field. I grew passionate to become the best Medical Assistant I could be so I can provide the best care to my patients. All I want is to be able to help people in any way I can. If I can make even the smallest difference in a person's life, I've accomplished my goal for the day. Being a Medical Assistant brings opportunities to impact each patient I encounter daily in a positive manner.

 

What (transferable) skills did you gain that you could take into a workplace?

My current skills that I use almost every day at work include: taking all basic vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, and respirations; working in an EMR; protecting patient privacy; phlebotomy; triaging patient's messages to the doctor; using proper sanitization in the healthcare setting; prepping patients for in office medical procedures; administering medications; labeling and charting correctly in the lab; and scheduling patient appointments. I believe the most important skill is having the ability to be professional, respectful, and confident when working with patients. 

 

What are you doing now? What are you hoping to do next? What are your ultimate professional goals?

Right now, I work for a PCP's office in Bethel Park. I work at St. Clair Outpatient Center on the second floor for Preferred Primary Care Physicians. It's a great first job as a Medical Assistant. Each day I learn something new, and it's been nothing but a great experience so far. I do plan to continue my education at CCAC by eventually applying to the radiology program. I love what I'm doing now, but I want to keep growing and expanding my education. Radiology will teach me how to use powerful equipment to take medical images. These images diagnose diseases in the human body, which will help guide patients in the right direction towards the correct treatment options for their situation. I never want to stop learning and bettering myself. I want to provide the best treatment possible for each patient. I can see a bright future ahead of myself if I keep a positive attitude, continue to work hard, and have faith.

 

What advice do you have for students who are considering the idea of taking classes at CCAC? 

CCAC is a great start to a wonderful education. The classes provided me with exceptional knowledge from all the professors I had. CCAC is a great school that will help guide students on the right path to a professional career. I'm going to be honest though; the schoolwork is not easy, and students can't expect to slide under the radar by cramming, snoozing on homework, and procrastinating. The students must make a commitment to put everything they have into their major and all the studies ahead. Trust me: the hard work will pay off in the end and leave the student with a great feeling of accomplishment.

 

Who inspires you and why? Do you have any mentors or people of influence in your life?

What inspires me in life today is all my past mistakes and disappointments. I know that sounds crazy, but without the misfortune's life has thrown my way, I wouldn't have grown into the confident person I am today. Life is a journey and it's a process where I've come to learn a lot about myself. How I have changed throughout the years inspires me to keep pushing forward and challenging myself to accomplish my goals. Inspiration comes from many different life experiences, in my opinion. Everybody who has stuck by my side like my family and my real friends inspire me to chase my dreams as well. 

 

Is there anything else you would like us to know? 

Thank you for this opportunity!