For more than a decade, Anne Yates of Mont Clare excelled in the fast-paced world of information technology (IT), but in recent months, she chose to reinvent her career and embrace a new path.

Her IT career pathway started after she graduated from high school and attended a four-year university, where she took computer science courses. However, she soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. Instead, she pursued a certificate in computer operating systems from a technical school, which led to a career spanning more than 15 years in the IT field.

“The one constant in the tech field is change,” said Yates about her career.

After nearly two decades of thriving in that environment, she decided to search for a career that would use her IT knowledge and skills while also enabling her to grow in a new field. Having worked on a help desk for a pharmaceutical company, she considered transitioning to the healthcare industry. Encouraged by friends, she began exploring medical billing and coding as a potential new direction.

After researching various programs, Yates chose Montgomery County Community College’s 186-hour, noncredit Medical Billing Specialist Program.

“I was impressed by the number of instructors who work in the field,” Yates said about her selection. “It’s very valuable in IT, all of my former instructors worked in IT, and I found their real-world experience to be incredibly helpful.”

Following an online assessment and personal interview, Yates was accepted to the online program in September 2024, completing it in December 2024.

During this time, Yates was laid off from her IT job and took a temporary position at an allergist’s office, where she managed the front desk, scheduled new patients and handled billing. Despite juggling a new job and learning new responsibilities, she successfully balanced her coursework.

“The program was great for work-life balance. The instructors were flexible and understanding, and the class fostered a team environment where we would communicate and network with each other,” Yates said.

Classes were held via  Zoom Tuesday and Thursdays from 6 to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program fully prepared her to take the exams for two professional credentials: the Certified Professional Biller exam through the American Academy of Professional Coders and the Certified Billing & Coding Specialist exam through the National Healthcareer Association.

After earning her certifications, Yates plans to pursue her associate’s degree at MCCC, possibly in healthcare administration or information technology.

Currently, Yates works full time in the billing department at Dermatology Partners in Pottstown, a job she secured while still in the Medical Billing Specialist Program. She credits Bernadette DeBias, MCCC’s Director of Workforce Development, for helping connect students in the program with job opportunities.

Reflecting on her experience, Yates is pleased with the program and how it helped her to successfully transition to a new career.

Montgomery County Community College’s Medical Billing Specialist hybrid program provides a foundation in medical billing, coding and medical administrative support functions. Students learn customer service skills as well as the support functions needed by medical offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 10-year job outlook for medical records specialists is expected to grow by 9%, which is faster than average, and the 2023 annual median pay was approximately $48,780.

MCCC’s Workforce Development Division provides sector-specific, employer-validated, customized training programs for non-profits, businesses and industry in Montgomery County and the region.

For more information about the Medical Billing Specialist Program or other workforce programs, contact Director of Workforce Development Bernadette DeBias at bdebias@mc3.edu.