Smaller colleges and community colleges across Michigan are stepping up with affordable programs to create the medical support personnel desperately needed in rural areas:
North Central Michigan College program brings 44 professionals to local workforce
By Karly Graham - July 4, 2023PETOSKEY — After one year of offering Fast Track programs, North Central Michigan College helped add 44 medical professionals to the local workforce, according to a media release.
Since May 2022, 30 students completed the medical assistant program and 14 completed the phlebotomy technician program. There are an additional 23 students enrolled in the summer medical assistant and phlebotomy courses as well.
The students that entered the local workforce through the program had a 94 percent pass rate on the National Healthcareer Associations Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam as well, while the state average is 62 percent.
Chrisy Lyons, North Central Michigan College Dean of Corporate and Community Education, said in a media release that the graduates are helping meet a local demand.
“Area health care hiring managers cited a need for skilled employees with very specific certifications,” Lyons said in the release. “Our close connection with regional employers allowed us to be nimble with our programming and responsive to workforce needs.”
Students are able to enroll in the Fast Track Healthcare Bundle program, which helps prepare graduates with credentials endorsed by the National Healthcareer Association. The three credentials include clinical medical assistant, electrocardiogram (EKG) technician and phlebotomy technician.
Students can also independently take the standalone courses for EKG technicians and phlebotomy technician certifications.
The bundled program is 24 weeks long and primarily conducted through virtual coursework, along with a total of three in-person skills days, a weeklong phlebotomy lab and a two-week externship. The externship can be conducted in any local medical office.
“These programs are ideal for our returning learners who want an expedited path to a specialized career,” Lyons said in the release. “Because the programs are primarily online, students have easy, convenient access to course content, allowing them to work around their work and family schedules.”
Students enrolled in the programs gain access to Michigan Learning & Education Advancement Program grants and funding, which can help cover partial or full tuition.
Additional financial support thought the NCMC Foundation allows some students to complete the program free of charge.
Students completing the program will also have access to local instructors and assistance with job placement.
North Central offers Fast Track programs in health care, manufacturing, skilled trades, business and more.
For more information on the Fast Track programs, visit ncmich.edu/fast-track.
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