10 Questions with Amanda Parello
The Certified Medical Assistant at Gastroenterology Hyannis, who attended night school to earn her CMA certificate, shares why her current job is the perfect fit, what she’s most excited about on the horizon and her top outdoor activity that helps keep her centered.
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
Amanda Parello wrote this quote from Louisa May Alcott on a Post-it note and attached it to her computer screen to serve as a daily reminder: “I’m still learning and the mistakes I make are just a learning curve.”
The Certified Medical Assistant with Medical Affiliates of Cape Cod, who started at Gastroenterology Hyannis in June 2022, recently completed the adult CMA program through Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich. After working as a CNA at Rosewood Manor nursing home in Harwich, and later as a cashier at Stop & Shop for the past few years, Parello was seeking a more meaningful career—a job that would utilize her caring nature in a collaborative healthcare environment.
With the help of a friend who works the overnight shift at Cape Cod Hospital, Parello found an evening CMA program—a 31-week course held two nights a week at Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Harwich. It was the best of both worlds. She could still earn a living by working her day job and then take the course at night while her husband cared for their 10-year-old daughter. She graduated in the spring of 2022 with a CMA certificate, and soon after, secured a job with Cape Cod Healthcare. Parello will be reimbursed 100 percent for the program after a year of employment with CCHC.
Parello, who grew up in upstate New York and moved to the Cape more than a decade ago, lives in Yarmouth Port with her husband, Thomas, and daughter, Ava. We recently caught up with the 28-year-old at her office on Attucks Lane to learn more about her daily work routine, what she’s most excited about on the horizon, her favorite outdoor activity that helps keep her centered and a catchy song she can’t seem to get out of her head.
1. What most interested you about working in the healthcare field?
I really like the high-speed environment and I love helping people with their health and trying to heal them.
2. What’s a typical day like for you at work?
I greet patients in the waiting room, bring them to exam rooms, prepare them for the doctor and measure their vital signs. I also document patient medical histories and answer phone calls. If someone calls and says my stomach hurts or they have abdominal pain, I ask them how long, what have you been taking, and I document that in Epic and send to the nurse practitioner. I also assist with refills, fax records to doctors and process referrals from a doctor—I make sure the order is in Epic, so when they are ready to schedule, it’s in the system.
3. What was your very first job?
Working as a cashier at Shaw’s in Harwich. That was my first real job. It’s not that fancy, but it’s where I met my husband. We used to work at night together and he worked as a cashier and in the meat department. I learned retail and working with customers and people. I am a people person and I am very outgoing. It’s very easy for me to connect with people.
4. Is there anything you are putting off at the moment?
Probably going on vacation as a family because we both work a lot. My husband is an arborist and he’s working toward getting a new truck and chipper because he owns his own business. I’m saving up for Disney. One of my friends is helping me to plan our trip because there are so many details and it’s very involved!
5. What do you keep an emergency supply of?
Pasta! We are a big Italian family and I make homemade sauce and homemade meatballs and we always have pasta on hand. Spaghetti is our favorite. I make homemade sauce with Tuttorosso tomato sauce (the green cans at the grocery store), and put my own herbs and seasonings in there. My secret ingredient is sugar, to make it a little sweet.
6. What on the horizon you are you most excited about?
Watching my daughter grow up. She’s in fourth grade and it’s exciting to watch her grow up to be the most amazing kid. When I was growing up, I moved around a lot, so it makes me happy to raise her in a stable environment. We love going to King Richard’s Faire in Carver every year together.
7. Is there a certain song stuck in your head at the moment?
“Let’s Get Down to Business,” by Tiesto. It’s a fun, catchy dance song.
8. Where do you like to go on the Cape?
Being in nature and exploring the trails on the Cape. It helps me to center myself. There is one trail we explore often off 6A behind the post office in Yarmouth Port. There is a nice path and we have lunch underneath the big tree. We love being in the woods.
9. Favorite binge TV show?
“The Blacklist” on Netflix. I like crime and mystery. I just finished “Firefly Lane.” I loved the flashbacks to their younger days and how the main characters stayed best friends into adulthood.
10. If not on the Cape, where would you live?
Probably somewhere like Vermont in the woods in a cabin, where it’s quiet and peaceful. I’ve been there a couple of times. Our friend’s parents have an Airbnb and we go up there sometimes.
