From Wheels to Wellness

Tabitha initially approached GST Michigan Works! for assistance in advancing her career in 2019. Tabitha worked part-time as a Bus Driver for the local community schools. Motivated to make a change and find full-time employment, Tabitha wanted to work in the medical industry. She sought assistance to earn her Nurse Assistant Certificate, allowing her to start her career.

She completed the CNA program at Baker College in August of 2019 and quickly found full-time employment the following week with Pleasant View Nursing Home in Owosso. There, Tabitha was able to not only work as a Nurse Aide but also gain skills in Medical Billing and Coding.  This allowed her to advance into an opportunity with Sparrow Health Systems as a Billing Professional in September of 2022. 

Quickly moving up the ranks, Tabitha found that she could further advance in her role if she obtained her Medical Billing & Coding certification.  She approached GST Michigan Works! again in February of 2023 seeking assistance to gain her Medical Billing & Coding certification  through the American Academy of Professional Coders. Since she had already received assistance for training in the past, she enrolled in an incumbent worker program that provides training funds to people who are already working but wish to advance in their careers with their employer. GST Michigan Works! was able to assist Tabitha with the cost of the program to help her reach her career goals. Working with a career coach along the way, Tabitha has worked through the career development process within the medical industry, moving from a CNA to a Medical Billing & Coder.

The Medical Billing & Coding program through Central Michigan University was a 12-month self-paced program. Tabitha completed the entire program in just 8 weeks with a 98.6%. She was promoted twice from Billing Professional to Educator and then Educator to Billing Supervisor with her current employer, Sparrow Health Systems, within only 2 months. Tabitha received a pay increase of over $7.00 per hour.

Tabitha said, “The whole process was easy, and I feel prepared for my future.”