Last Updated on: 22nd August 2024, 07:01 pm
The leading healthcare education institution in the region and the largest healthcare employer are collaborating to provide San Franciscans with opportunities to enter the medical field, addressing both current and future workforce needs in the Bay Area.
Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA), an MSA-accredited post-secondary medical training school, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are partnering to train over 100 San Francisco residents for entry-level roles in the medical sector. The nine-month programme includes academic coursework, hands-on clinical skills training, and an externship at UCSF, culminating in certifications as Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, and EKG Technicians. Students who successfully complete the first four months of the programme are guaranteed an interview with a UCSF recruiter. This programme is offered free of charge to San Francisco residents, made possible through UCSF’s generous support.
“The opportunities that open up for our students when they begin their careers after graduation are life-changing,” said Bay Area Medical Academy CEO Simonida Cvejic. “UCSF’s support for our school is extraordinary. Both financially and as an employer-partner in the community. It means so much to our students to have these opportunities open up for them.”
The healthcare workforce shortage in the Bay Area is becoming increasingly critical. Meanwhile, one in four households in San Francisco struggles to make ends meet. Medical Assistants in the Bay Area typically earn around $56,000 in their first year.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Bay Area Medical Academy to train San Franciscans for healthcare careers,” said Jeffrey Chiu, vice president and assistant vice chancellor of Talent Management at UCSF and UCSF Health. “When we create career pathways, it has a direct impact on our communities, improving health, economic opportunity, and ensuring that participants have the support needed to succeed and thrive across our organisation.”
The Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy and EKG Programme offers entry-level students a robust foundation in both clinical and administrative duties, preparing them for successful careers in the medical field. The programme comprises three components: administrative skills training, clinical skills training, and a clinical externship. The first seven modules are conducted in a hybrid classroom format, followed by a 200-240 hour clinical externship through UCSF’s Medical Assisting Academy.
Though the programme is entirely free and funded by UCSF, all applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications for the cohort are due by 1st October, with the course commencing on 28th October.
For more information, please visit bamasf.edu.
To contact Bay Area Medical Academy or BAMA alumni, please reach out to Simonida Cvejic at simonida@bamasf.com or 415-710-0458, or Darren Heath at darren@bamasf.com or 510-501-4584.
