Amy Lynne Ensign
Sterling Heights,USA
Summary
Education professional with comprehensive experience in academic management and curriculum enhancement. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and driving educational success through strategic initiatives. Reliable and adaptable in meeting evolving educational needs, with strong leadership and communication skills.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Academics
Ross Education
Sylvania, OH
04.2021 - Current
- In collaboration with the Senior Vice President and Vice President of Online Operations, responsible for the oversight and management of the online and hybrid ABHES-accredited programs, including: Dental Assistant, Health Administrative Services, Human, Social, and Health Services (HSHS), Health Care Administration (HCA), Medical Assistant (MA), Medical Billing Administrative Specialist (MBAS), Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration (MIBOA), Medical Office Administration (MOA), Medical Office Management (MOM), Pharmacy Technician.
- Focused on improving the quality of the programs through continual development of internal practices in conjunction with institutional objectives.
- Identified areas of strength and opportunity for the proposal, development, and initiation of process improvement projects.
- Initiated positive student retention initiatives across all programs.
- Implemented and managed various projects to multidisciplinary teams, using data collection for assessment, evaluation, and ongoing process improvement.
- Evaluated relevant data for process improvement, reporting, and making program recommendations.
- Developed curriculum changes for the online and hybrid MA, MIBOA, PhT, and HCA programs, including course evaluations, assessment creation, and Canvas interface updates.
- Supported positive faculty relationships through regular departmental meetings and faculty-led discussion groups.
- Communicated effectively in a timely manner utilizing e-mail, newsletters, and meeting forums to provide key information to faculty.
- Understood and implemented institutional policies effectively.
- Understood and implemented CampusVue to complete administrative duties.
- Evaluated faculty using institutional faculty evaluation process and provide mentoring to assist faculty in meeting professional growth plan goals.
- Met with faculty to discuss issues and concerns and worked with faculty and senior administration to arrive at fair and equitable solutions.
- Participated on relevant system committees related to curriculum design and implementation, integrating technology into classrooms, creating assessment tools for data collection for evidence-based curriculum changes, and accreditation.
- Created standard assessments and assignments for use in the MA and MIBOA online and hybrid programs while developing and implementing process improvement opportunities throughout the program.
- Provided leadership in technology integration initiatives to support student learning and retention.
- Oversaw curriculum implementation by performing Canvas course audits to ensure curriculum meets institutional and program standards.
- Integrated technology into the MA and MIBOA course curricula, including software systems for practice management and electronic health records, as well as Canvas usage and publisher-specific platforms to enhance students' learning experiences and the retention of material.
- Reviewed and revised hybrid course options for the MA and MIBOA programs, utilizing technology and the integration of a learning management system (Canvas).
- Developed student-facing resources, including a Student Success video series, for implementation in all hybrid and online Canvas courses.
- Collaborated with Student Success Advisors (SSAs) to identify student needs and best practices during the curriculum review and revision process.
- Reviewed student appeals and created contracts for satisfactory academic progress (SAP), reinstatement, and reenrollment into programs.
- Provided management and oversight of seven lead faculty members and over 50 adjunct faculty/instructors.
- Implemented Ross Teaching Tips of the Day and communicated them across the Ross system for both online and residential faculty.
- Developed an internal tracking system for online and hybrid faculty credential and ABHES documentation.
- Collected and maintained faculty credential and ABHES documentation, utilizing Taleo and Paycom for storage and retrieval of information.
- Maintained schedules and payroll in ADP and Paycom systems for over 50 adjunct faculty/instructors.
- Collaborated with Human Resources for best practices, new faculty onboarding and orientation, and other HR initiatives.
Digital Faculty Consultant/Subject Matter Expert/Author/Digital Content Creator
McGraw-Hill Education
Dubuque, IA
06.2010 - Current
- Digital Faculty Consultant (DFC) work includes: Connect course creation; text comparisons; text comparisons for content mapping; digital platform training for groups and individuals; curriculum development on program and course levels for onground, online, and hybrid programs; faculty training and development; and other consulting responsibilities as needed.
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) work includes: Connect accuracy checking, creation of interactive exercises and test bank material; manuscript/text reviews; course sample syllabi creation; workbook accuracy checking; review of digital Body Animat3D videos for use with Connect and health science textbooks; content tagging, including Bloom's Taxonomy and accreditation tags; accreditation mapping for CAAHEP, ABHES, and CAHIIM; development and maintenance of LearnSmart probes in Annotate and Habitat/Bento for a variety of MA, Billing/Coding, pharmacology, nutrition, and health professions titles; Asset Map and ADA accessible PowerPoint creation, development and delivery of assessments, and other reviews, surveys, or content creation opportunities, as necessary.
- Proficient in health science, medical assisting, health information technology, medical billing and insurance, electronic medical records/practice management, and nursing courses and have worked with texts and software in all these areas, as well as psychology, sociology, marketing, customer service, management, and college success strategies.
- McGraw-Hill computer application and digital platform proficiency includes: Connect, LearnSmart, SmartBook, SpringCharts, Medisoft, Prime Suite, ActivSim, EHRclinic, and Practice Medical Office (PMO).
- Digital authoring platform proficiency includes: Annotate, Habitat, Bento, EZTest, SmartBook 2.0, and EHRclinic.
- Created instructor- and student-facing videos for digital platform training in the Health Professions: Excellence in Implementation Series.
- Contributing author to Integrated Electronic Health Records, Beth Shanholtzer, 3e: Responsible for content writing for five of ten chapters; review and contributions of all ten chapters; creation of ancillary resources, such as being lead SME (subject matter expert) for LearnSmart and Connect digital activity creation, Asset Map creation, CAAHEP/ABHES/CAHIIM content mapping, and ADA accessible PowerPoint creation.
- Co-authored Integrated Electronic Health Records, Beth Shanholtzer & Amy Ensign, 4e. Responsible for content writing; review; creation of ancillary resources such as Asset Map, ADA accessible PowerPoints, and sample syllabi; implementation of EHRclinic; and the development of electronic resources such as Connect, LearnSmart, and EHRclinic building/authoring.
- Lead SME and developer of a new electronic health record platform, EHRclinic, to be used with health professions textbooks. EHRclinic development includes building the platform from the ground up, agile project management using Jira, scrum calls, process improvement, content consulting, and platform reviews. EHRclinic authoring includes development of realistic scenarios and building 134 unique electronic health record exercises for Booth 7e Medical Assisting, 60 unique exercises for Shanholtzer/Ensign 4e Integrated Electronic Health Records, and 40 unique exercises for Valerius 8e Medical Insurance in the EZTest platform.
- Managed review feedback for EHRclinic exercises, including identifying opportunities for improvement, correcting content errors, identifying and responding to platform bugs, and adjusting content based on subject matter expert responses. Continued maintenance and revision of live product using assessment metrics and feedback provided in Jira support tickets.
- Lead SME and author of Application-Based Activities (ABAs) for clinical health professional skills scenarios and activities. Subject matter expert responsibilities include developing unique and realistic scenarios, creating learning objectives, authoring dialog and content, and full authoring of the scenario in the Muzzy Lane platform.
- Lead SME for a team of five subject matter experts in the creation of Application-Based Activities (ABAs). Maintained timelines for project milestones and completion, reviewed SME work and provided appropriate constructive feedback, performed final reviews and adjustments, developed scenario assessments, and provided maintenance for live product based on user feedback and progress metrics.
Program Director
Baker College
Clinton Township, MI
12.2008 - 12.2020
- Responsible for the oversight and management of the CAAHEP-accredited Medical Assistant and Bachelor of Health Service Administration programs on the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses.
- Applied a total quality management (TQM) approach to overall program management in conjunction with institutional objectives, with a focus on improving the quality of the programs through continual improvement of internal practices.
- Identified areas of strength and opportunity for the proposal, development, and initiation of process improvement projects.
- Implemented and managed various projects to multidisciplinary teams, using data collection for assessment, evaluation, and ongoing process improvement.
- Utilized lean processes to promote organizational efficiency and effective quality improvements.
- Evaluated relevant data for process improvement, reporting, and making program recommendations.
- Maintained accreditation status through completion of Annual Report Forms, progress reports, audits, self-studies, and site visits.
- Provided day-to-day management of up to 30 full-time and adjunct staff across two campuses and three high schools (through articulation programs).
- Created class schedules and staffed courses for the Medical Assistant certificate and associate degree programs and the Bachelor of Health Service Administration program at the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses.
- Responsible for textbook requisitions, staff management, student counseling and advising, budget creation and maintenance, supply ordering and inventory to minimize waste, and regulating OSHA requirements in the lab for the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses.
- Nurtured positive faculty relationships through regular departmental meetings, hosting informal gatherings, and faculty-led discussion groups.
- Communicated effectively in a timely manner utilizing e-mail, newsletters, and meeting forums to provide key information to faculty.
- Understood and implemented institutional policies effectively.
- Understood and implemented Blackboard, Canvas, Oasis, and Jenzebar to complete administrative duties.
- Hired adjunct and full-time faculty following institutional guidelines and policies for the Medical Assistant and Healthcare Administration programs.
- Evaluated faculty using institutional faculty evaluation process and provide mentoring to assist faculty in meeting professional growth plan goals.
- Created and administered budget for Medical Assistant and Healthcare Administration department for the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses.
- Met with students to discuss issues and concerns and work with students, faculty, other departmental representatives, and staff to arrive at fair and equitable solutions.
- Met with faculty to discuss issues and concerns and worked with faculty and senior administration to arrive at fair solutions to maintain faculty creativity.
- Taught 30 semester hours per academic year in Medical Assistant and Healthcare Administration courses utilizing Canvas, Google Docs, and other Web 2.0 technologies to facilitate learning and engagement.
- Encouraged, supported, and trained staff to utilize technology resources such as Google Docs, Canvas, publisher resources, and Web 2.0 technologies to support instructor ability to engage students.
- Participated on relevant system committees related to curriculum design and implementation, integrating technology into classrooms, redesigning institutional learning outcomes, creating assessment tools for data collection for evidence-based curriculum changes, accreditation, and quarter-to-semester conversion.
- Assisted in marketing and program growth through the conduction of student tours.
- Completed learner-centered instruction training and implemented these techniques in the classroom, including effective rubric creation, assessments, and inter-rater reliability.
- Created standard assessments and assignments for use in the medical assisting courses while developing and implementing process improvement opportunities throughout the program.
- Provided system and campus wide leadership in technology integration initiatives to support student learning and retention.
- Oversaw curriculum implementation by reviewing assignment summaries (first day handouts) and Canvas course audits to ensure curriculum meets institutional standards and work with faculty to modify assignment summaries as needed.
- Represented the campus at the system level and represent the college at local and regional conferences, professional development seminars, and professional networks.
- Served as campus and system champion for a variety of technology-based initiatives such as: Google Guide, Blackboard Superuser, Canvas user, and McGraw Hill's Connect point-of-contact.
- Worked with a group of program directors from other campuses on the development and proposal of new certificate curriculum for the medical assistant program, and currently involved with one other program director as the key designers for the curriculum, including course development and assessments.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of electronic health record (EHR) course requirements for the MA program and have since improved the course models.
- Integrated technology into the MA course curriculum, including software systems for practice management and electronic health records, as well as Blackboard and Canvas usage and publisher-specific platforms to enhance students' learning experiences and the retention of material.
- Achieved a 100% pass rate for graduates on the CMA (AAMA) National Certification Exam for multiple years, with a 12-year average of 95% and a 97% participation rate.
- Maintained accreditation retention requirements above 70%, with average retention of 90-95% over 12 years.
- Created a new system for meeting CAAHEP accreditation requirements and complied with MAERB with completion of the Annual Report Form and dashboard each year.
- Effected successful CAAHEP re-accreditation site visits in 2014 and 2016 and was awarded full continuing accreditation for the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses.
- Awarded a multiple campus designation from CAAHEP and ran a second Medical Assistant program at the Baker College of Port Huron campus.
- Ensured meeting instructor minimum requirements for up to 30 faculty members, including annual training and professional development.
- Acted in the role of program director and program coordinator, which includes the development and maintenance of practicum site relationships, student site placement and monitoring, and compliance with accrediting body requirements.
- Served as faculty liaison to instructors in the Running Start (Early Middle College) program for the medical assisting and health science programs at Lakeside High School, SMTECH (Warren Consolidated Schools), and St. Catherine's of Siena; responsibilities include ensuring open communication, mentoring/training, text acquisition, development and review of programs of study for incoming medical assistant cohort students, site visits, evaluations, and ensuring instructor compliance with Baker College Running Start directives.
- Assisted with articulation efforts with K-12 partners for direct credit, dual-enrollment, and concurrent enrollment, including curriculum development and cohort management.
- Served on the Clinical Coordinator Council, contributing to the development of a system-wide clinical coordinator process for health sciences.
- Acted as Facilitator to the Medical Assistant/Allied Health System group, represented by nine campuses and program directors.
- Ensured Direct Measure Assessment creation and compliance for medical assisting courses by assisting in the development of direct measure assessments and the collection and reporting of system aggregate data from nine campuses.
- Championed institutional initiatives for quality curriculum development, technology integration, and faculty-led learning communities.
- Developed hybrid course options for Medical Assistant and Health Service Administration programs, utilizing technology and the integration of a learning management system (Canvas).
SmartBank Lead Subject Matter Expert and Author
TrueLearn
Mooresville, NC
09.2018 - 10.2020
- Acted as lead project manager subject matter expert of a team of five co-authors for Medical Assistant SmartBank credential examination preparation questions.
- Authored 280 unique, high-quality, realistic practice SmartBank questions designed to use cognitive research and individual testing behaviors to guide learning and increase performance on the CMA, RMA, NCMA, and CCMA exams. Questions included detailed feedback for each of their five distractors, designed to provide students with an immersive learning experience.
- Developed and implemented a strategic process to ensure that all relevant question bank topics were covered and not duplicated for 1,010 unique practice exam questions, assigning topics to five co-authors, and overseeing delivery of milestones.
- Performed quality control and revision within TestWeapon for 1,010 unique practice exam questions including review and revision of the feedback for 5,050 unique distractors.
- Assigned CAAHEP Medical Assistant categories and standards to each test bank question.
- Reviewed 1,010 unique practice questions and their distractors for appropriate image and figure placement.
- Created unique images using computer software applications for 25 test bank questions.
- Researched images and figures for placement in over 100 questions. Reviewed and approved new art rendering and assisted in rights management acquisition. Placed approved and permitted images in respective test bank questions within TestWeapon.
- Utilized student satisfaction feedback and user score metrics to identify test bank questions for revision based on appropriate difficulty levels and content.
Medical Assistant Leader, Pierson Clinic
Henry Ford Health System
G.P.Farms, MI
09.1995 - 12.2008
- Focus on patient care, primarily in Internal Medicine, but also Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, and Pediatrics.
- Responsible for vital signs, EKG, venipuncture, chart maintenance, telephone triage, administering injections, assisting in minor surgical procedures, ear wash, aerosol treatments, point-of-service testing, direct entry charting, appointment scheduling, updating computer files, generating patient referrals, test results notification, e-prescribing, patient billing, maintaining medical asepsis, maintaining inventory and stock, maintaining patient confidentiality, and other medical assistant duties.
- Developed a multi-clinic Joint Commission task force and responsible for Joint Commission preparedness in Internal Medicine.
- Leader responsibilities included creating and maintaining monthly MA schedules for a staff of 25 medical assistants, problem solving, payroll, interviews, overseeing the resident physician program and scheduling of 8 residents, developed an MA externship (practicum) program and oversaw training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluations, administrative leader duties, liaison between management and support staff, and met with other department heads for process improvement.
- Assisted in implementation, roll-out, and training of new EHR, e-prescribing, and electronic telephone encounter software systems.
- Process improvement projects included: Advanced Access facilitator, Women's Health Initiative, and Diabetic Workflow.
- Developed, implemented, and oversaw various clinic workflow projects.
- Served on the Safety Committee, the Morale Committee, and the Henry Ford Health System Northwest Regional Committee.
Education
MBA - Business Administration, Minor in Leadership Studies
Baker College
12.2017
BHSA - Health Service Administration
Baker College
06.2014
AAS - Applied Sciences - Medical Assistant
Baker College
09.2009
CERT - Medical Assistant Certificate
Carnegie Institute
06.1995
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publish
- Google Apps and Google Docs and Sheets
- Canvas & Brightspace D2L course development and delivery
- McGraw-Hill digital platforms: Connect, SmartBook, EHRclinic
- Collaborative leadership
- Teaching excellence
- Ethical leadership
- Inclusive education
- Faculty development
- Academic advising
- Distance learning
- Higher education administration
Affiliations
- AAMA Macomb Chapter, Treasurer and Secretary, 2014-01-01, present
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Active Member, 2005-01-01, present
- American Medical Technologists (AMT), Active Member for Registered Medical Assistant and Allied Health Instructor, 2005-01-01, present
Certification
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), American Association of Medical Assistants, 2027-10-01
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), American Medical Technologists, 2025-10-01
- Allied Health Instructor, American Medical Technologists, 2026-04-01
- BLS Provider Certification, American Heart Association, 2021-09-01, 2022-09-01
Honors And Awards
Assistant Professorship, 2018-01-01, Achieved assistant professor ranking at Baker College for teaching effectiveness, professional activities, and scholarship and service to program.
Academic Teaching
- Adjunct Faculty, Human, Social, and Health Services, Ross College Online, Clinton Township, MI, 2018-10-01, present, Taught online human, social, and health service courses in multi-disciplinary ABHES-accredited associate degree programs., Utilized Canvas LMS platforms and McGraw-Hill digital platforms.
- Associate Professor, Health Sciences, Baker College, Clinton Township, MI, 2005-09-01, 2021-12-01, Taught medical assistant courses in a CAAHEP-accredited Medical Assistant associate degree and certificate program., Assisted in program curriculum development in collaboration with other campus MA program directors.
Timeline
Director of Academics
Ross Education
04.2021 - Current
SmartBank Lead Subject Matter Expert and Author
TrueLearn
09.2018 - 10.2020
Digital Faculty Consultant/Subject Matter Expert/Author/Digital Content Creator
McGraw-Hill Education
06.2010 - Current
Program Director
Baker College
12.2008 - 12.2020
Medical Assistant Leader, Pierson Clinic
Henry Ford Health System
09.1995 - 12.2008
BHSA - Health Service Administration
Baker College
AAS - Applied Sciences - Medical Assistant
Baker College
CERT - Medical Assistant Certificate
Carnegie Institute
MBA - Business Administration, Minor in Leadership Studies
Baker College