Front Lines Stories: Lizette Vasquez

How one Medical Assistant finds inspiration to help her patients defeat COVID-19

Lizette is a Medical Assistant working in Murray, Utah. As an MA, Lizette holds a wide range of daily responsibilities, including checking vital signs, administering medications and vaccines, and maintaining patients’ medical records.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has limited the number of hours she can work because she must ensure her daughter’s safety. Despite the circumstances, Lizette finds strength in her ability to help others in need.

Lizette was inspired to enter the medical field after witnessing how healthcare heroes helped her grandmother recover from her illness. Since then, she’s worked five years as a CNA and has recently earned her diploma in Medical Assisting.

We are very excited to feature Lizette as one of our leading Heroes in Healthcare. Continue reading to learn more about Lizette and her story from the frontlines of the current pandemic.

Lizette Vasquez

Medical Assistant

Graduate of Eagle Gate College, 2020

What made you choose your current career?

“I wanted to proceed in a better job after doing CNA. My passion has always been in the medical field.”

What are the typical responsibilities for someone in your position?

“Checking vital signs, medications, vaccines, lab work. answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, taking urinary analysis.”

Walk us through a day in your life. What does it look like?

“We first get there and turn on the systems and get the schedule for the day loaded. We check in patients online and fill out the chief complaints and other paperwork if needed. Then we call the patient to the back, get their weight, ask if they brought their medication bottles, then take their vitals while we fill out the medications on their EHR then put it the vitals and the physical exam notes. After that, we let them know the doctor will be right in. We do it all over with each patient unless they need a UA, then that’ll get done first before putting them in a room.”

How has the pandemic affected your work?

“It’s affected my externship by not letting me complete all my hours a week because I have to make sure I’m safe for my daughter, so I am only able to do a few hours a day.”

What has been the most challenging aspect of your job in recent weeks?

“Trying to get to know the patients and also learning how to chart everything correctly in the EHR systems.”

What do you appreciate most about your job?

“My coworkers are really helpful and kind. They are always willing to lend a hand!”

Where do you find the inspiration to endure this difficult period? What’s been your greatest source of strength?

“My greatest source of strength is I’ve always had a passion for helping others, I did CNA for five years, and I love working with people. My grandma has been a big motivator for me because she was once really sick and needed help from others, and that made me more motivated to do what I do because I know how hard it is for someone to do things alone.”

How do you find balance? What do you do to maintain your composure during stressful moments at work?

“I try just to stay calm and take breathers throughout the day because if we don’t then it can all add up and cause one to panic.”

Any words of advice or inspiration you’d like to share with other healthcare workers who may be coping with similar challenges and responsibilities?

“Yes! Hang in there, you are all doing amazing jobs and are highly appreciated by so many for your braveness and courageousness in this pandemic we are going through! Without you guys, this wouldn’t be possible to overcome!”

What advice would you share with the future generations of healthcare professionals, currently in school?

“Never give up on what you love to do! Keep going forward and follow your dreams!”

Thank You, Lizette!

We want to thank Lizette for taking the time to share her incredible story with us during these challenging times. We would also like to express our sincerest gratitude to all our healthcare heroes for their tireless efforts in battling COVID-19.

Thank you all. We are so proud of you!