The region’s top healthcare education institution and the largest healthcare employer are working together to offer San Franciscans the opportunity to embark on careers in the medical field, while addressing the Bay Area’s healthcare workforce needs.
Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA), an MSA-accredited post-secondary medical training school approved by the U.S. Department of Education, is collaborating with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to train over 100 San Francisco residents for careers in the healthcare industry. This nine-month programme includes academic coursework, practical clinical skills training, and an externship at UCSF, resulting in licensure as Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists, and EKG Technicians. Students who successfully complete the first four months of the programme will be guaranteed an interview with a UCSF recruiter. The programme is offered at no cost to San Francisco residents, thanks to 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 shortage of healthcare workers in the Bay Area is worsening. At the same time, one in four San Francisco households struggles to meet basic financial needs. Medical Assistants in the Bay Area can expect to earn an average of $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 equips entry-level students with a comprehensive foundation in clinical and administrative tasks, preparing them for successful careers in the healthcare sector. The programme includes three components: administrative skills training, clinical skills training, and a clinical externship. The first seven modules are taught in a hybrid format, followed by a 200-240 hour clinical externship through UCSF’s Medical Assisting Academy.
Although the programme is entirely free and funded by UCSF, all applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications for the cohort are due by 1st October, with classes beginning on 28th October.
For additional details, please visit bamasf.edu.
For inquiries or to speak with Bay Area Medical Academy or BAMA alumni, please contact Simonida Cvejic at simonida@bamasf.com or 415-710-0458, or Darren Heath at darren@bamasf.com or 510-501-4584.
