Billie Joven’s story is for all those women who think they cannot take on the work they love because there are too many obstacles in their life. Meet Billie Joven – mother of five children (ages 4 to 17) and four stepchildren who also contracted COVID in the middle of her studies at SJVC. Billie Joven is living proof that – with SJVC supporting her all the way – she has reached her life’s dream of working in the medical field and being a model for her family.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I was the youngest of five kids, born in Porterville, CA. I still live there.
Q: When did you decide to pursue a career as a Clinical Medical Assistant?
A: Back in 2010 I went to school to become a phlebotomist –
Q: What’s that?
A: It’s someone who has training in drawing blood from a patient for lab tests and things like that. But unfortunately, I couldn’t continue; I was so sick with the pregnancy of my now 10 year old I couldn’t get clinical hours. So, I stayed home and took care of my children, nieces, and nephews.
Q: That must have been frustrating. What kept you going?
A: I watched a lot of GREY’S ANATOMY on tv! It kept me inspired. Last year I tried again and enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC in Porterville.
Q: What was the hardest part about school?
A: Staying focused. It was really hard doing the school work while dealing with all the kids.
Q: Did you ever want to quit?
A: Yes!
Q: What kept you going?
A: My family, my boyfriend, my kids. For example, my daughter told me that I inspired her to do well at school. And the support at SJVC was always there, especially when I got COVID.
Q: Wow. Let’s talk about that.
A: I started Medical Assistant training last year, and then had to take a leave of absence because I got COVID in the spring of 2020. It was such a struggle. I was in the hospital on oxygen for 8 days. Two of my children also got it. Fortunately, once I got better, the courses I needed to catch up on didn’t start until December 2020, so I had time to recover and go back to school then. I finally graduated in May 2021.
Q: How would you describe the clinical medical assisting classes during that time?
A: They covered all the material so well. I would have never made it if it wasn’t for my teacher Mrs. Laura Cervantes, (everyone calls her “Mrs. C), saying I could do this even while I was sick. She was such a great help; she worked with me so much – she pushed me – and it just helped me get through the worst of it.
Q: In hindsight, was there anything you feel you missed at SJVC?
A: I missed the hands-on experience of being with the students and teachers because I’m a real people person. I wanted to go to campus, but we were restricted to online classes because of COVID. But that’s where the SJVC teachers were so good; they reached out to me no matter what. I don’t think we missed anything; they teach you about everything you’re going to be doing in the field so you’re really prepared.
Q: Do you have any advice for students in school now?
A: I would advise reading every single book and article they give you; it’s everything you’ll need to know. And… just stick with it and push through. Set your goals and reach them. Also, I would say just know that everything is a learning process, especially if it’s hard. There’s always room for you to improve your understanding and to learn.
Q: Where are you working now?
A: I’m working right now at Aria Community Health Center in Porterville. It’s a primary care clinic; they provide Medical, Dental, Optometry, and specialty. I did my extern work at Porterville Pediatrics with Dr. Rush. I’ve mostly worked in OB clinics.
Q: Do you have to deal with COVID patients at all?
A: Not really. We do rapid testing in one of the offices but I’m not involved with that.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your work?
A: I like the intake part, communicating with the patients, easing their anxiety if they have any.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: I would like to tell all future students and current students that no matter what obstacles are thrown at them to keep pushing forward. If I could manage to reach my goals despite all the life challenges I went through anyone could.
For me, I’ll just say that giving up was not an option. And with my whole family supporting me and the faculty and staff at SJVC, I did it. And now my youngest child wants to be a doctor when he grows up!
Q: That’s great…
A: Well, either that or a fireman. We’ll see.
