What happens when two strangers in different career fields interview each other about the work they do? Let’s find out.

Mindy Noland is a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing. Tina Ortiz is a Medical Assistant.

Mindy Interviews Tina

Mindy Noland: What area of medicine do you work in?

Tina Ortiz: I work for a Federally Qualified Health Center and perform Clinical duties as a Registered Medical Assistant. I primarily work in Pediatrics and on occasion, Family Practice.

MN: What is a Medical Assistant specifically? Is it like a nurse as far as job duties?

TO: Yes, it is very much like a nurse! Medical Assistants are trained in both clinical and administrative duties to run both the front and back office. Some of my Medical Assistant friends work as office managers. It is very diverse. One can give immunizations, perform phlebotomy, work within the lab, administer and call in medication, assist Physicians as they perform minor office procedures, perform EKGs, Spirometry, conduct vision and hearing screening, obtain vitals and so much more! One can also schedule appointments, work in medical records and be responsible for answering phones or doing phone triage. Medical Assistants work in a variety of areas including specialists’ offices, family practice and hospitals

MN: Have you always wanted to work in the medical field? Did you ever want to do something else?

TO: As a child, I wanted to become a nurse and would pretend to give my dolls shots. I also wanted to illustrate and write books for children and young adults. As an adult, I have an interest in becoming a Hospital Chaplain.

MN: What is the best part of your job?

TO: I love interacting with my patients and their families. Children are so sweet and funny and it makes the day sail by. I love knowing that perhaps I can help make a difference so children aren’t so afraid when they come to the doctor.

MN: What do you like to do in your free time?

TO: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones. I love doing anything creative such as art, crafts, writing stories and song lyrics, reading, enjoying music and nature, being active in my church and spending time with animals. I have one cat.

Tina Interviews Mindy

Tina Ortiz: What do you enjoy best about being a mom to three?

Mindy Noland: Watching them have a relationship of their own as brothers — the differences between them, the similarities, etc. They’re 9, 6 and 2 years old, so there’s quite a variety.

TO: What inspired you to become a teacher for the Deaf?

MN:  I wanted to be an interpreter for a long time and liked the education setting. But, I wanted to be able to share my ideas and give input, which an interpreter doesn’t do. It dawned on me I really wanted to do Deaf Education.

TO: Do you have any loved ones who are deaf?

MN: Not family, but many friends.

TO:  Is it difficult to find positions in your field?

MN: There are not a lot of us, so it’s more difficult to find enough qualified people to fill the positions!

TO:  What do you find most rewarding about your job as a mother? A teacher?

MN: Really, the answer is the same for both. I spend my life shaping the future. It’s such a powerful and stressful realization, but rewarding beyond words.

TO: Have you ever been a mentor?

MN: I have never had a student teacher, but I “mentor” former students who reach out for guidance all the time. I love seeing them as they start careers and families of their own

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Mindy Noland is a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing and a mom to 3 amazing boys.