MEDICAL ASSISTANT ACCELERATED
PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT
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, Advocate Aurora, Ascension and the Medical College of Wisconsin have developed, piloted, and are evaluating an accelerated training program (MAAPET - Medical Assistant Accelerated Pathway to Employment Training) that provides immediate engagement to wages and on-the-job training to increase a diverse talent pool of medical assistants working in ambulatory clinics across southeast Wisconsin. This opportunity is made possible in part by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.
To learn more about the MAAPET project and how to apply please view this video.
MAAPET candidate qualifications
EDUCATION/Qualifications
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Must be 18 by start of program
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Highschool diploma / GED
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TABE score equal to a 6th grade level in reading & math. - 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 at least a 6th grade level 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.
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All trainees must comply with the individual hiring requirements as set forth by their employers. This includes but is not limited to completing the appropriate health assessments, drug tests, pre-employment physicals and criminal background checks.
QUALITIES
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
MAAPET RECRUITMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Interested individuals should view the information video (above) to learn about a career as a Medical Assistant, qualifications for the MAAPET program and application process.
Step 2: After watching the video, please complete the pre-employment questionnaire and attach your resume.
Step 3: Application materials will be reviewed by members of partner healthcare systems. Systems will select individuals that they would like to move forward.
Step 4: Individuals selected for advancement will be contacted to schedule a TABE test. (Please refer to links under candidate qualifications for study tools.)
Step 5: Individuals that successfully complete the TABE test with a score that reflects at least a 6th grade level in reading and in math will be contacted by the healthcare systems to schedule interviews.
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What is MAAPET?The Medical Assistant Accelerated Pathway to Employment Training project (MAAPET) is an 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.
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How many trainees are accepted into each cohort?Each class will consist of 12-16 trainees.
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What will be be expected of trainees if accepted into this class?Trainees must commit to full-time attendance the entire for 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.
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What can trainees expect during this class?Trainees will be participating in both classroom (online), lab / clinical activities (in-person). 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.
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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 rotation. 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.
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What needs to be purchased for this class?Trainees will be expected to purchase; a watch with a second hand, stethoscope and scrubs (any color) for use in clinicals and labs. Inexpensive scrubs may be purchased from Goodwill or Walmart. Textbooks, Laptops and other equipment are provided for use at no cost during the 10-week instruction portion of the project.
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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.
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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.
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Can trainees carry over any completed credits from another training program?No. Trainees will need to complete each module to complete this program.
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Will trainees be in class with individuals from other organizations?Yes! Each cohort will be compromised of trainees from our partner organizations.
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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.
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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 rotation hours.
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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 will provide additional training and support to help them meet the expectations. If trainees continue to struggle, the staff will work with the trainee’s employer to determine next steps.
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Where will trainees be placed for their clinical rotation?Trainees will be placed within their employer for clinical rotations. Our staff will be reaching out to your employer to arrange these rotations and be providing expectations.
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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 clinical rotation, trainees will be working directly with patients.
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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.
