FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Contact: Catherine Tenuta, SBS Press Secretary- ctenuta@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-618-8768

CITY LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO PREPARE YOUNG ADULTS FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANT CAREERS

Program targets Out-of-School and Out-of-Work Youth and Offers Skills Training and Paid Internships

New York – NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop today announced a new program that will prepare New York City’s young adults for medical assistant careers. Through the program, called the Medical Assistants (MA) for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program, participants will be connected to skills training, a paid internship, and assistance securing a full-time position. The program is for interested New Yorkers and will target out-of-school, out-of-work youth aged 18 to 24. The program is now accepting applications through September 4th, 2018 for its first cohort of 25 participants.

The MAs for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program, launched by SBS's New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (NYACH), is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Career Pathways plan, and developed in partnership with Hostos Community College.

“While each New Yorker’s path differs, everyone should have the opportunity to succeed,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “We are committed to ensuring that out-of-school and out-of-work youth have access to a stable career track, which is why we launched the Medical Assistants for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program.”

“Hostos Community College, in partnership with Department of Small Business Services and the New York Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, is pleased to announce the launch of the Medical Assistants for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program for young adults in September 2018,” said Carlos Molina, Vice President of Hostos Community College. “For 50 years, Hostos Community College has been committed to providing New York City residents with workforce development and comprehensive healthcare certification programs. These programs enhance their skills while making them more marketable, employable, and professional. Our mission at Hostos is to build learning communities where people live and work. We teach the skills to provide excellence in the healthcare field allowing students the ability to embark on a career leading to intellectual growth and socio-economic mobility. This new program is important to our college and city because it will train 20 young adults to become successful Clinical Medical Assistants. For many, this will be a stepping stone in their career pathway to further their education within the medical field.”

About MAs for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program

The MAs for Modern Healthcare Delivery Training Program will prepare participants to take the Clinical Medical Assistant, Electrocardiogram, and Phlebotomy certification exams. The fees for these certifications are covered by the program. Participants will also attend specialized career readiness workshops to help with resumes and interview skills. The 368-hour training course will be offered at Hostos Community College beginning this September 2018 and will run through July 2019. Classes will be held on an evening and weekend schedule so that participants can continue current employment, if applicable.

After the training, participants will be connected to a 100-hour, $15 per hour internship with local community health centers and medical offices. Upon completing the internship, participants will receive assistance with connecting to full-time career.

For more information or to apply, visit nyc.gov/accesstraining or contact the West Farms Workforce1 Career Center at (929)575-4613.

NYACH

NYACH is an Industry Partnership, bringing together multiple stakeholders of the healthcare workforce development system in order to address the industry’s rapidly changing labor force needs. NYACH is an initiative of the public-private partnership amongst the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Workforce Funders, and JPMorgan Chase Foundation. For more information, visit http://nyachnyc.org/.
 
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