Five team members are the first to complete Banner Medical Group’s new 20-week apprenticeship to become certified medical assistants in the organization.
“The role of a medical assistant is one of the most in-demand, front-line positions in the health care industry today,” said Liberty Bollig, Banner human resources business partner. BMG operates 60 clinics in Larimer and Weld counties with about 300 physicians and advance practice providers. BMG employs more than 200 medical assistants to support them. With most ambulatory health care providers competing for medical assistants, finding candidates to fill open positions is a challenge.
That’s why BMG partnered with Front Range Community College to create the apprenticeship. The first participants were existing Banner employees in roles ranging from patient financial services to laboratory services. Additionally, several had considered going further in their medical education but juggling school, working full time and caring for children created barriers.
Furthermore ,In the apprenticeship, Banner pays the employees while they learn. Participants work Monday through Thursday in the medical clinic under the direction of a preceptor, or clinical teacher. On Fridays, they attend classes at FRCC in Fort Collins. For half of the day on Saturday, they complete lab work.
“The best part is that you have a whole class going through the same exact thing as you,” said recent graduate Billie-Jo Cagle who now works as a medical assistant at Banner Health Clinic specializing in cardiology in Loveland. She encourages others who are starting the program to get advice and opinions and to ask questions.
The other four new certified medical assistants are: Brianna Miller, Ofelia Gonzalez, Chelsea Hansen and Irma
Maestas.
The second round of the program is under way with 13 participants.
For more information about open positions with Banner Health, click here