First Class of Dual MA/PCT Certified Apprentices Graduates

On Oct. 5, a special graduation ceremony was held to honor the first class of six apprentices to include dual Medical Assistant (MA) and Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification to help support the needs of both clinics and hospitals in the Ascension Texas network. The Ascension Academic Administration Department is proud to have graduated 15 apprentices with more slated to graduate in 2023, adding to our Central Texas healthcare workforce and creating a pipeline of clinical support. The program currently boasts a 79% graduation rate, a 95% certification pass rate and a 100% employment placement rate amongst apprentice graduates. Ascension Texas, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission and Innovative Workforce Projects, launched the Medical Assistant (MA) Apprenticeship program in 2022 to support and invest in the next generation of health professionals and address the needs of our community by allowing individuals who have no experience in healthcare the opportunity to become medical assistants.

Chief Advocacy Officer Geronimo Rodriguez of Ascension Texas offered a piece of advice to the graduates as they move forward in their career paths: “Every single one of us has the power to make a difference. As MAs and PCTs, you are going to make a difference in people's lives. As you celebrate your graduation tonight and you go to work in your clinic or hospital, take care of each other, take care of our patients and take care of our community.”

“Here at Ascension, we really love to grow people from within,” said Tracey Schwartz, Vice President of Operations for Ascension Medical Group. “We love to give people the opportunity to develop their skills, find something they’re really great at, hone in on their strengths and find them a career they love. That’s why I’m so excited about this program. I love bringing in Medical Assistants. They are the heartbeat of our clinics. Our patient satisfaction surveys often name the MA that made a difference in the patient’s appointment.” AMG has donated more than 3,700 hours of clinical learning experiences for apprentices to complete their training.

Angelica Arana and Kaitlyn Davila, both CMAs and apprentice alumni, also spoke to our new graduates and provided advice. “One of the great things about the program is that it gives you so much hands-on experience that creates an advantage when you start. But don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone has been in your shoes and you will not know everything right away.”

The Ascension Academic Administration department believes this apprenticeship program will help with retention and will make clinical staff stronger to provide quality care to our patients. The coaching and training provided through the program allows apprentices to become new leaders and informs apprentices how to launch a career in healthcare. Apprentices learn new things everyday and a learning organization is how we’re going to keep growing and innovating. There are eight additional apprentices set to graduate in December 2023. The next class of 10 MA/PCT apprentices will begin November 2023.

Click here for more information
Questions? Please email txmaapprentice@ascension.org