About MAAPET

A documented shortage of medical assistants (MAs) has had significant impact on the delivery of ambulatory patient care services for individuals, and creates substantial levels of overtime and a work burden on other members of the medical team. To meet this critical health care workforce need, support an economically disadvantaged workforce, and significantly improve the equitable delivery of health care services across impacted communities in southeast Wisconsin, a new approach is needed.

The Center for Healthcare Careers of SE Wisconsin along with, Employ Milwaukee, Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert Health, Aurora Health Care, Ascension Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin has developed an accelerated medical assistant on-the job training program. This tuition free, on-the-job training program, called MAAPET (Medical Assistant Accelerated Pathway to Employment Training) provides immediate engagement to wages and strives to create a diverse talent pool of medical assistants working in ambulatory clinics across southeast Wisconsin.

This program is now funded in whole or in part by the Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant.

MAAPET candidate qualifications

EDUCATION/Qualifications

Must be 18 by start of program

Highschool diploma / GED

Qualifying TABE score . - TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) is essentially a placement test. All candidates interested in being considered for the program must take and pass the test with qualifying score in reading & math. Candidates are strongly encouraged to study and/or take a practice test before applying for the program. For more information and FREE study resources for TABE click here.

All trainees must comply with the individual hiring requirements as set forth by their employers. This may include but is not limited to completing the appropriate health assessments, drug tests, pre-employment physicals and criminal background checks.

QUALITIES

Strong customer service skills - one year of customer service experience preferred or internships, participation in high school healthcare career programs, prior entry level healthcare work such as CNA.

Basic computer/keyboarding skills - in addition to providing direct patient care, MAs also perform clerical tasks such as updating, creating and editing electronic health records (EHR). In addition, some MAs may be required to process payment/insurance information.

Compassion - MAs work both in the front office and in the back office, it’s important to be compassionate toward patients to put them at ease. Great medical assistants are empathetic to a patient’s needs in order to create a positive experience.

Track record of dependability - Medical assistant must be dedicated toward being dependable and detail oriented in all aspects of the job. When working with patients medical assistants are responsible for collecting everything from the patient—from medical history to blood work and they must ensure every detail is accurate and confidential.

Adaptable - MAs will have a variety of patients and every day is going to be different from the last. They must be able to multi-task and keep a level head when the office gets hectic. A MA's responsibilities may fluctuate and they may be needed for blood draws and lab work, taking vital signs and performing non-invasive procedures, or general patient care. A good medical assistant should be able to easily move from one role to the next.

Problem solver - While one benefit of the medical field is being surrounded by other medical professionals, it is important to be able to react independently when problems arise and to solve these problems quickly and efficiently.

MAAPET

Are you ready to enter an exciting career as a Medical Assistant?

Please note that MAAPET is an on-the-job training initiative. Individuals interested in joining the program undergo an employment screening process. If selected, they are hired by one of our four healthcare system partners to participate in MAAPET training and subsequently become employees of the respective health care system.

It's important to emphasize that MAAPET is a tuition-free program. In addition trainees receive compensation and benefits while attending training sessions for 40 hours per week over a duration of 14 weeks. Upon successful completion of the MAAPET program and passing the certification test, you will begin on your career as a medical assistant.

Please be aware that if you are not seeking employment, MAAPET may not be the right program for you. As you can tell, the MAAPET program an amazing opportunity and our health system employers invest significantly in this program. For this reason, we hold trainees that are selected to participate in this program to high standards; we expect exemplary attendance, active program participation, the completion of all coursework/homework, and the professionalism from our trainees.

MAAPET RECRUITMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Interested individuals should complete the pre-employment questionnaire, attach your resume and complete the grant screening application.

Step 2: Application materials will be reviewed by Center for Healthcare Careers staff for grant eligibility. Eligible individuals will be contacted via the email which was provided during application process to schedule a TABE test. (Please refer to links under candidate qualifications for study tools.)

Step 3: Candidates who successfully complete the TABE test with a score that reflects at least a 6th grade level in reading and in math will be invited to meet with CHC staff for an eligibility intake appointment and to discuss their employment and training goals.

Step 4: Eligible candidates will be referred to the two healthcare systems they selected during the application process for consideration.

Step 5: Healthcare systems will then determine those individuals they wish to move forward in the interview process.

This project receives funding from the Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant. To join this program, you must meet grant eligibility requirements. Please be aware that if you progress in the application process, you'll need to provide documentation for the information you provide on the eligibility application.

Apply Here

What is MAAPET?

The Medical Assistant Accelerated Pathway to Employment Training project (MAAPET) is a paid, accelerated medical assistant on-the-job training program. All trainees accepted into the program are employed by one of four healthcare systems prior to the start of training and paid a training wage while completing the program.
How many trainees are accepted into each cohort?

Each class will consist of 10-16 trainees.
What will be be expected of trainees if accepted into this class?

Trainees must commit to full-time attendance the entire fourteen-week comprehensive training program. Attendance and punctuality are critical to ensure a full understanding of the curriculum. Trainees must also to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week of additional study and homework. Trainees will be tested on competencies throughout the program and must be prepared.
What can trainees expect during this class?

Trainees will be participating in both classroom, lab / clinical activities. These activities include learning to: obtain vitals (blood pressures, temperatures, height, weight), phlebotomy (blood draws), lab procedures, EKGs, giving injections, taking patient histories and charting, etc. During class, trainees will practice many of these techniques on each other to be better prepared for clinicals.
How long is this training program?

This program is fourteen-weeks long. The first ten-weeks (400-hours, M-F, 8am - 5pm) consists of a comprehensive, in-class training followed by a four-week (160-hour) clinical/practicum experience. Overall, this program is 560 hours. Trainees should expect to spend a minimum 10 hours per week on studying and homework. *Homework & studying time is not paid by employer.
How does a trainee clock in/out?

Trainees are expected to follow guidance provided by their employers. A telephone or computer access will be provided for those that need to clock-in via an online or telephonic system. Otherwise, trainees will be required to sign-in and sign-out of each class. **Attendance records and students’ progress will be provided to your employer.
Is this a paid training program?

Yes, trainees will be paid an hourly wage throughout the duration of this training program by their hospital employer.
Can trainees carry over any completed credits from another training program?

No. Trainees will need to complete each module to complete this program.
Will trainees be in class with individuals from other organizations?

Yes! Each cohort will be compromised of trainees from our partner organizations.
How will trainees receive training on the electronic records system?

Guidance will be provided by the leadership teams at each organization. Each organization will be handling this differently and training will not be covered in the training program curriculum.
Will trainees get homework and have to study?

Yes, homework and studying after normal class times are an expectation of this training program. Assistance is available to trainees upon request. Homework is not considered paid time and does not count towards class, lab or clinical hours.
What happens if a trainee doesn’t meet expectations?

Trainees will be assessed throughout the duration of the training program. If a trainee is failing to meet the minimum expectations, instructors and staff will work with the trainee’s employer to determine next steps.
Where will trainees be placed for their clinicals?

Trainees will be placed within their employer system for clinicals.
Will trainees have to work with blood and other bodily fluids?

Yes. Medical Assistants assist their clinical teams to draw blood and collect other specimens from patients. Trainees will be practicing on each other during the classroom and lab portions of the training. During the clinicals, trainees will be working directly with patients.
Is this an accredited program?

The Center for Healthcare Careers of Southeast Wisconsin (CHCSEW) and the Medical Assistant Accelerated Pathway to Employment Training project is considered a corporate training program and not formally accredited by a higher-learning accrediting institution. Coursework completed during this training program have limited transferability into other academic programs.
Will I earn a credential or certification?

Yes, all MAAPET trainees are required to take, and pass, the National Healthcareer Association Medical Assistant Certification exam to become certified. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will earn your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certificate. You will not pass the course until you earn your CCMA certification.