WCC AND YONKERS WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD TO HOLD EVENT TO HONOR STUDENTS ON JULY 1

Twenty students recently completed a non-credit certificate program in Medical Billing at Westchester Community College's Yonkers Extension Site, and WCC is holding an event to honor these students. A special ceremony will be held at the Yonkers Site in the Cross County Shopping Plaza on Tuesday, July 1 at 6:00 p.m.

The program was developed based on the results of a survey done by the Yonkers Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and was funded through a grant by the New York State Department of Labor for local workforce areas to Assess Skill Shortages within demand industry sectors. This program trained participants in a variety of areas related to the Medical Billing field: Computer Basics, Medical Terminology, Medical Office Procedures, and Medical Billing were among the areas covered.

"The program was successful on several levels," says Rick Hyland, the WCC site Director. "Not only did we train people to gain entry into a field that is in demand, which benefits both employers and job seekers, but we also had the opportunity to collaborate with the Yonkers Private Industry Council and the WIB, paving the way for similar programs in the future. We are very pleased with the outcome of this program."

The program culminates in an internship in which students receive on-the-job training at St. John's Riverside Hospital. This will allow students to gain valuable job experience. The program, geared towards those seeking entry-level employment as Medical Billers, will also assist participants in finding jobs in dentists' and doctors' offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

"The Yonkers Workforce Investment Board has committed its efforts and resources to provide training in demand occupations that will satisfy the needs of local industry sectors while making available jobs that provide competitive wages," said Danielle DeMatteis, Executive Director of the Yonkers Workforce Investment Board. "We are pleased that the New York State Department of Labor, through Governor George Pataki's office, recognizes the need for these types of training and provides the financial support that allows local WIB's to carry them out," DeMatteis added.

"St. John's Riverside Hospital is delighted to participate in this training program for medical billers," said Stephen J. Lucas, Vice President of External Affairs for St. John's Riverside Hospital, "It will not only provide the health care community with a labor pool for critical job positions but just as importantly will enable help individuals residing in our area to obtain meaningful and well paid career opportunities," Lucas added,

Westchester Community College's state-of-the-art facility in Yonkers offers classes toward short-term certificates in Computer Applications and Help Desk Support. These certificates will allow students to secure jobs as office assistants, secretaries, customer service representatives, computer technical support technicians, and help desk technicians.

The site also offers courses in computer programming, Cisco Networking, Microsoft Office (MOUS) courses, English as a Second Language courses, classes for mature citizens through the college's Mainstream Program, and other non-credit computer training courses.

For more information about the programs offered in WCC's Yonkers Computer Technology Site call (914) 966-4010.