Sara Sandoval: Medical Assistant Instructor and 3-Time Charter College Graduate

Sara Sandoval is a passionate Medical Assistant instructor at Charter College’s Farmington campus, but her journey there wasn’t a straightforward one. Her family roots were set in the Eastern Navajo Agency and she grew up in Logan, UT with the intention of following many of her family members into teaching.

“I come from a big family of educators,” says Sara. “I have aunts who are teachers, cousins who teach.”

Sara wanted to follow in their footsteps, but when she was only 15, her mother passed away from liver disease. It rocked her world—and her purpose.

“Seeing my mother on a dialysis machine and respirator, in a coma, left me with a profound desire to understand her condition and know how to care for her,” Sara explains. “After she passed, I wanted to learn more about medicine, dedicate myself to patient care, and help other families that may be going through hard times with their own health.”

But instead of going directly into healthcare after high school, Sara explored other options. And then she got married and had children. She was able to spend most of her time with her four kids as she took on part-time roles. But when her spouse passed away, Sara knew she needed a better way to provide for her children. With Charter College’s Farmington campus close, and Medical Assistant ads frequently crossing her social media feed, Sara’s passion for healthcare was rekindled. She thought: maybe now is the time.

Enrolling in the Medical Assistant Program at Charter College

Sara enrolled in the Medical Assistant program and got hired straight from her externship with Presbyterian Medical Services. In less than a year, she was trained and working in the PMS pediatrics department as a Medical Assistant. And during her five years at PMS, Sara gained experience across multiple healthcare specialties. Pediatrics was her passion, but she also worked in family practice, behavioral health, and psychiatry, giving her a broad understanding of patient care. Each position expanded her knowledge and gave her experiences she would later bring into the classroom.

Turning Medical Knowledge into a Teaching Career

“While I went through the Medical Assistant Program at Charter, I saw how the instructors assisted the students, and how they helped me,” Sara says. “And I thought to myself, ‘That is the ultimate goal for me. I want to become an MA instructor.'”

While Sara was still working at the clinic, she enrolled in Charter’s online Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health program to expand her medical knowledge and hopefully work her way up to an instructor position.

After she earned her degree, Sara decided it was time to dive into teaching. And what better place than her alma mater? She took on an adjunct role as the new nighttime instructor for the Medical Assistant program.

“I thought, ‘I’m just going to put my foot in the door and see what happens,'” Sara says. “Then, lo and behold, I became a full-time instructor. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the dream.'”

Bringing Real Healthcare into the Medical Assistant Classroom

Today, Sara is a full-time Medical Assistant instructor who brings her knowledge and real-world experience to her classroom. Whether it’s tips, techniques, or actual examples of medical documents, Sara makes sure her students get the real feel of what it’s like to be in a clinic. She believes students learn best when they experience healthcare instead of simply reading about it.

Sara’s classroom is filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and real materials she collected during her years working as a Medical Assistant. Students review actual referral forms, check out sample immunization records, and learn documentation used in healthcare settings throughout the New Mexico area.

Medical simulations play a major role in Sara’s teaching, as well. Students participate in realistic patient scenarios that mirror what Medical Assistants experience in clinics and medical offices. They practice injections on medical mannikins, take vital signs, conduct patient intake, document medical histories, collect laboratory specimens, and communicate with “providers.”

Sara also creates unexpected situations that require students to think critically. Sometimes she even becomes the patient herself.

“I’ll pretend to have an asthma attack or even act out a seizure,” Sara says. “It makes it real because emergencies can happen at any time.”

Throughout each five-week module, students build on their skills until their final assessment where they perform everything they have learned.

Watching that growth is one of Sara’s favorite moments as an instructor.

“They’re like little boss Medical Assistants,” she says. “It’s amazing to see them put all of their skills together. It’s a good feeling as an instructor, because you know they’re going to get the job done and help patients.”

Preparing Students for Real Healthcare Careers

Sara has many lessons from her work as an MA that she shares with her students today. Her students hear the passion in her stories, and that helps motivate them through their coursework.

“Balancing full-time teaching and pursuing my bachelor’s at Charter was challenging, but manageable,” Sara says. “I use my own experience to motivate my students, sharing my schedule and strategies to demonstrate that you can succeed at both. Experiencing the same workload and late hours allowed me to relate to them directly and show them they were not alone on this journey.”

And when it comes to the path her students might pursue, Sara has advice there, too.

“I always talk to my students about pediatrics and family practice,” Sara explains. “When I share stories, a lot of students will tell me they want to go into one of these fields, and I tell them to go for it!”

Sara wants students to graduate feeling confident on their first day of externship and eventually their first healthcare job. For Sara, communication, professionalism, and critical thinking are just as important as drawing blood or recording vital signs.

“Patient care is number one,” she explains. “You have to communicate well, think outside the box, and always be willing to learn.”

Because she previously trained Charter College externs when she worked at her pediatric clinic, she also gives students advice about what employers expect. She explains how to stay engaged during clinical rotations, how to take initiative, and why being dependable makes a lasting impression.

“I tell them what we actually looked for when hiring Charter students,” Sara says. “I’m giving them the inside perspective because I was that person.”

Supporting Medical Assistant Students Every Step of the Way

One of the things Sara appreciates most about Charter College is the opportunity to work closely with every student.

“I leave the door open and my phone on,” Sara says. “If students have questions, they know they can message me. I want them to know I’m always a resource.”

Sara wants every student to know they have someone in their corner.

Lifelong Learning

Sara’s journey has taken her from Charter College student to healthcare professional, instructor, and lifelong learner. While an instructor, Sara enrolled in college again, earning her BS in Healthcare Administration, and now she’s on her way to earning a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix. Sara serves as a wonderful role model, teacher, and mentor to her students, and she’s proud to prepare future Medical Assistants who can provide compassionate patient care.

Interested in learning more about Charter College’s Medical Assistant program and the instructors who help students succeed? Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to connect with an admissions representative today.