Invest in Yourself — A Message from the President

Aug 24 / Oday
Inspired by the YouTube video:
“7 Money Rules That Made Jim Rohn Wealthy — Start Them at Any Age.”
Friends and colleagues,
I speak to you as the President of MedLabTech Academy and as someone who has watched many healthcare careers. Some grow. Some stop. The difference is one habit: investing in yourself.
If you want absolute control over your money and your job in these uncertain times, start with what you can control—your skills and your knowledge. Every shift in a clinic, lab, or hospital gets better when you grow your skills.
Today, I invite you to make learning a monthly habit—on purpose, on schedule, and with pride.
Two Questions to Get Started
1) Where are you now?
Write your job, your main skills, your certificates, and the tasks you do well.
2) Where do you want to be in 6 to 24 months?
Do you want more pay? A more specialized role? Do you want to be the person others ask for help? Pick one clear goal.
If you are not saving some time and some money for learning, you are not truly investing in yourself.

The Skill Fund: Pay Yourself First
Set aside 5% to 10% of your take-home pay for training. Treat it like rent or a bill you must pay.
• Example: Take-home $2,800/month → 5% = $140; 10% = $280 for courses, books, and exams.
• Automate it: Move this amount to a “Skill Fund” on payday.
• Protect it: Use it only for education.
This simple habit turns good plans into real progress.

What to Learn: Skills that Give Results

Choose skills that make your work safer, faster, and smarter.

Clinical (quick, high impact)

  • Phlebotomy and venipuncture
  • ECG/EKG basics
  • Specimen handling, labelling, and transport
  • Point-of-care testing

Safety and compliance (must-have in Canada)

  • IPAC (Infection Prevention & Control)
  • WHMIS and safe handling
  • Privacy and confidentiality (PHIPA)

Operations and tech (very useful)

  • EMR/EHR workflows and accuracy
  • Excel for healthcare (dashboards, lookups, cleaning data)
  • Front-desk flow: appointments, inventory, clear communication

Professional skills

  • Calm patient communication and de-escalation
  • Clear documentation and team handoffs
  • Time management under pressure

Goal: learn one new skill every 3 months.

A Simple 12-Week Plan

Weeks 1–2: Plan and enroll

  • Pick your 6–24 month goal.
  • Enroll in one course that matches the goal (use your Skill Fund).
  • Put study time on your calendar.

Weeks 3–6: Learn and practice

  • Finish the lessons. Take notes you can use at work tomorrow.
  • Ask to shadow or practice under supervision where allowed.

Weeks 7–9: Prove it and record it

  • Take the quiz or assessment.
  • Log your competencies (if allowed).
  • Write one page about how this skill saves time, reduces errors, or improves care.

Weeks 10–12: Show and use your skill

  • Update your resume, LinkedIn, and internal profile.
  • Tell your manager: “I completed ___ and here is how I can use it for our team.”
  • Volunteer for one task or project that uses the new skill.

Then repeat next quarter.


If You Are a Recent Graduate

Your degree opened the door. Short, focused certificates move you forward.

Ask:

  • What do local job posts ask for that I do not have yet?
  • Which two skills would let me work any shift with confidence?

Start with quick wins (Phlebotomy, ECG, IPAC). Then build EMR and basic data skills.


If You Work in a Clinic Now

When budgets are tight, teams retain personnel who mitigate risk and enhance reliability.

Be that person:

  • Crosstrain to cover a critical task.
  • Keep your certificates current.
  • Record improvements (fewer redraws, better labelling, smoother flow).

This is not “nice to have.” This is job security.


How MedLabTech Academy Helps You

Our mission is simple: delivering training that translates into patient care tomorrow.

  • Comprehensive Phlebotomy (In-Person): Hands-on techniques, safety, and workflow you can use right away.
  • CPTG Certification Pathway: A clear route to formal recognition of your skills.
  • Short, stackable modules: Built to fit your shifts—and your Skill Fund.

Not sure where to start? Tell us your 6–24-month goal. We will map a path that fits your schedule and budget.


Your Next Steps

  1. Choose your Skill Fund percentage today.
  2. Pick one course that moves you toward your goal.
  3. Schedule two study blocks this week.
  4. Tell a colleague or your manager what you are learning.

You cannot control the economy. You can control your skills. Invest in them, and new opportunities will open. Your job will be safer, and your future will be stronger.

See you in class,

Oday
President, MedLabTech Academy

Source of inspiration: the YouTube video “7 Money Rules That Made Jim Rohn Wealthy — Start Them at Any Age.”