MDNews - Greater Kansas

+++++++++++++++++ + + +++++++++++++++++ SPOTLIGHT  +++ +++ IGNITING PASSION THROUGH EDUCATION: HE CONCEPT OF in-depth, personalized training in a particular field is not new to the scene. In fact, it was a Wichita Technical Institute T foundational and favored practice in our young country, which has roots in apprenticeship, and whose people strongly believed the proverb, “A man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings.” Today, students and employers alike are rediscovering the true value of fast- tracked, focused training provided by technical schools. The technical training movement is turning out well-rounded, intensely trained professionals ready to meet the work demands of their fields. At the forefront of that movement in Kansas is Wichita Technical Institute (WTI). WTI has been a fixture of the techni- cal school scene since it opened in 1954 and has fostered valuable relationships within the professional community. With the intent of staying abreast of local business trends and addressing the need for exceptionally trained professionals to address market needs, the school has recently added programs in the medical field. In addition to offering programs in integrated electronics technology, During the school’s Pediatrics Day, students bring their children into class so that they can get hands-on experience with pediatric patients. One student is practicing obtaining vitals from a patient while another documents items in medical software using a Tablet PC. computer technology and network administration, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies, the school now offers classes in medical insurance billing and coding, and medical assisting. Growing Demands in Health Care An adequate supply of well-trained allied health professionals, such as medical billers and coders and medical assistants, are integral to the quality of care delivered at hospitals and health systems. The combination of advances in medical technologies, an aging popula- tion and health care reform is driving the need for these professionals even higher. In fact, it is projected that by 2018, one in nine jobs will be in the health care field. “We always try to look at the trends of growth within the community and seek to educate individuals to fill those needs. Health care is one of those areas that is always in flux, and now, more than ever, is struggling to meet the care demands of the population. We saw a gap in the 10 | Greater Kansas MD NEWS  MDNEWS.COM availability of quality medical support staff and sought to fill that gap with the addition of the medical assisting and medical insurance billing and coding programs,” explains Todd Farney, D.C., Medical Program Director at WTI. Igniting Passion The programs are taught by profes- sionals who not only have completed extensive coursework, but also have personal experience working in the field, which helps convey a more complete job picture to students. “Our teachers are all very passionate about what they do, and that is a high priority for us. Education is much more than passing along information; it is about igniting the desire to learn the informa- tion well and leveraging that information to deliver an exceptional performance in the field,” Farney explains. Professionals Ready to Meet Demands The changing economic climate and

• Cover