FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2025
Fairmont, WV — Pierpont Community & Technical College is expanding its health career training portfolio with two new offerings through its Career and Corporate Training office: AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) programs. These short-term, high-impact trainings are designed to prepare students for nationally recognized certifications and employment in high-demand health care roles.
“Pierpont’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant and Certified Professional Coder programs aren’t just education — these trainings are a direct response to critical workforce need,” said Dr. Joni Gray, Director of Career and Corporate Training, Center for Workforce Education. “By equipping students with hands-on, job-ready skills, we’re not only opening doors to meaningful careers but also strengthening the healthcare system with professionals our communities urgently need.”
The AAPC CPC course is designed to prepare individuals for certification and employment in the growing field of medical coding. The course combines online and face-to-face instruction, offering a total of 120 contact hours. Students begin with an online Fundamentals of Medicine course before transitioning to in-person instruction focused on medical coding. Tuition includes textbooks, study materials, and an exam voucher — with the option to sit for the certification exam at Pierpont’s Testing Center.
Beth Steele, CPC, CPC-I, is one of the instructors for the upcoming course. Steele brings more than 15 years of experience at WVU Medicine, where she has held roles ranging from coder to supervisor and now serves as an Enterprise Provider Compliance Auditor/Educator.
“I’m thrilled to be teaching an upcoming course designed to give you everything you need to pass the CPC exam with confidence,” Steele said. “We’ll be covering all the essential tools, strategies, and knowledge areas — from medical terminology and coding guidelines to real-world practice scenarios. Whether you’re just starting your journey in medical coding or looking to boost your exam readiness, this course is built to support your success.”
Hayley Hedrick will also be teaching in the AAPC Certified Professional Coder course, bringing nearly 15 years of experience in healthcare coding, auditing, and education. A Pierpont alumna and lifelong learner, Hedrick is passionate about helping students understand the critical role medical coders play in patient care, reimbursement, and healthcare operations.
“Medical coding is a crucial facet of the healthcare industry, as it plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the patient’s medical record while enabling smooth communication between healthcare providers and payers,” Hedrick said. “Medical coders tell the story of the patient’s care by translating the documentation within the medical record into a language that insurance companies can understand.”
The CCMA course is designed to prepare learners for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification exam and entry into high-demand health care roles. The hybrid course combines online and in-person instruction, offering core coursework in Fundamentals of Medicine, Health Assessment, Medical Administrative Assisting, and Clinical Medical Assisting.
Colleen Parker is one of the instructors for the CCMA program. Parker brings over three decades of experience in nursing and healthcare education, with a career that began in 1992 as a certified nursing assistant and has evolved into leadership roles in clinical care and staff development.
“I’m excited to be a mentor and guide students into a rewarding, stable and high-demand profession,” Parker said. “I hope to make sure they are prepared for their chosen profession. I hope to also show them how rewarding a healthcare career is.”
Both programs are offered through Pierpont’s Career and Corporate Training division and are open to adult learners, career changers, and recent graduates seeking fast-track entry into the healthcare field.
For more information or to enroll, visit go.pierpont.edu/CCT or contact Pierpont’s Career and Corporate Training team at CCT@pierpont.edu or 304-367-4596.
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Pierpont Community & Technical College is dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and quality education to students and businesses throughout North Central West Virginia. With a focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers a wide range of academic programs and industry-focused training opportunities to support the region’s economic and workforce needs.
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Beth Steele, CPC, CPC-I, is an instructor for Pierpont Community & Technical College’s AAPC Certified Professional Coder course offered through Career and Corporate Training. She brings over 15 years of experience in medical coding and education, with a career focused on leadership, compliance, and provider training.
Steele joined WVU Medicine in 2009 and has held various roles, including coder, educator, and supervisor for both clinic and inpatient/surgical teams. She currently serves on the Enterprise Provider Compliance Auditor/Educator Team, where she supports systemwide compliance and provider education initiatives.
A certified professional coder and instructor, Steele is passionate about preparing students for success in the healthcare field. Her teaching emphasizes real-world application, coding accuracy, and exam readiness.
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Hayley Hedrick is an instructor for Pierpont Community & Technical College’s AAPC Certified Professional Coder course. She has worked in the healthcare industry for nearly 15 years, with experience as a medical coder, coding auditor/educator, supervisor, and manager. Her career reflects a deep interest in medical concepts and a commitment to education.
Hedrick is a graduate of Pierpont’s Health Information Technology associate degree program and recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics and Information Management from West Virginia University. She holds multiple coding certifications through both the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
She is passionate about guiding students through the complexities of medical coding and helping them understand the real-world impact of their work on patient care and healthcare administration.
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Colleen Parker is an instructor for Pierpont Community & Technical College’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program. She has worked in the healthcare field for 33 years, beginning her career as a certified nursing assistant in 1992. She earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential in 2002 and has since held a variety of roles, including MDS/Care Plan coordinator, wound nurse, charge nurse, infection preventionist, and staff educator.
Parker currently serves as an authorization specialist at West Virginia University Hospitals (Ruby Memorial). Her extensive experience in both clinical care and healthcare administration informs her teaching and mentorship of future medical assistants.
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