Meet Nelson, a recent graduate of Opportunity Junction’s new Medical Assistant program. He’s not only launching a job in the healthcare field—he’s on a path to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a physician’s assistant.
Before joining the program, Nelson worked in retail, where he faced long hours with minimal benefits. Determined to pursue his dream of a medical career, he began searching for Medical Assistant (MA) programs but was deterred by the high costs, often over $6,500. “Not many people have $6k laying around,” Nelson remarked, “and can afford to not work for a few months to go back to school.”
Nelson was ready to build a career that would allow him to combine healthcare and administrative skills while positively impacting others' lives. When he found Opportunity Junction’s MA program, Nelson eagerly applied, seeing it as the opportunity he had been waiting for. “The program being offered at no cost gave me the chance to change the trajectory of my career and pursue a childhood passion that grew stronger during the pandemic,” he shared.
Over 12 weeks, Nelson and his cohort learned essential healthcare skills like medical terminology, billing, vital signs, injections, ECGs, and more. Beyond technical skills, students also receive professional development instruction to ensure their long-term success in the workplace. The program’s wraparound services, like free lunch and gas cards, also provided invaluable support. “There’s no time to work during the full-time program, and I was surprised by how much support they offered, not just professionally, but personally.”
Currently, Nelson is excelling in his 160-hour externship, with his supervisor already expressing interest in hiring him full-time. The MA program opens doors to rewarding, impactful careers. Nelson shared, “This is just the first stop. I plan to continue my education to become a Physician’s Assistant and one day start an athletic training program.
"The support I received from the staff, especially April (Healthcare Career Pathway Program Manager) and Lynn (MA Instructor), was incredible. They set us up for success from day one and made this career change as smooth as possible," Nelson reflected. "Thanks to Opportunity Junction, I feel fully prepared for my exams and confident about my future in healthcare."
If you or someone you know is interested in our no-cost medical assistant training program, we are currently accepting applications for our next cohort starting in January 2025. Learn more and apply here: https://opportunityjunction.org/careers/ma-training.
