Looking For Employment In The Medical Field?
This is one of a series of profiles on managers of Clay County's senior citizens centers looking for medical assistants jobs. Joan Strasser, manager of the Orange Park Senior Center, spends a lot of time in the center's kitchen. Some of that time involves meal preparation. But more of it involves visiting with seniors who wander into the kitchen as she works.
But this is natural for all medical assistants jobs. One by one, they tell Strasser what's bothering them -- a problem filling a prescription, inadequate restaurant food, needed car repairs. Strasser stops and leans against the counter to listen to each one. She nods her head frequently and makes comments that show she understands. Sometimes she flashes a smile.
'Listening is important,' said Strasser, who said she sees her position as an opportunity to serve people. 'Many of the people who come in live alone. Just five minutes of listening helps them.' Donnie Gray, assistant director of the Clay County Council on Aging, agreed.
'Joan always has time for the clients,' she said, 'And that's 75 percent of the job.' Strasser, who moved to Middleburg three years ago from Erie, Pa., has worked at the Orange Park center for a year. Her job is to oversee the activities at the center, she said, and it involves a variety of tasks. 'There is a lot involved and a lot to remember,' she said. 'You get a lot of telephone inquiries. Some are from new people, checking us out. Then I have to get the meals and do the record-keeping. But I love it. There's nothing I don't like about it.' Strasser, who worked as a medical assistant for about 15 years, said she sees similarities in the two jobs and that she chose the medical profession for the same reason she likes working at the center. 'It's because I like helping people,' she said. 'And if you can go to work every day and feel good about what you do, it's important. I think you get what you give. And I'd like to think someone would do the same for my elderly parents -- or for me someday.' She said she learns things from the seniors, too. 'I hear from them, things I can use with my own parents and maybe I'll use on myself.' Dot Veroneau, Strasser's assistant, said Strasser is good at what she does because she's understanding and compassionate. 'And she always tries to make things here so that people will enjoy coming,' Veroneau said.
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