PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Supported through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Grant Program, Sun Life Health is partnering with Central Arizona College’s Medical Assistant program to help address the shortage of medical assistants across the state of Arizona.
Reports indicate that from 2022 to 2032, it is projected that employment of medical assistants will increase 14 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force due to retirement. The large baby-boom population continues to enter older age groups, which typically have more healthcare concerns than younger age groups and will continue to increase demand for medical services” (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm).
Lisa Mahone, Program Director and Professor of the Medical Assistant program explained, “Participants will receive funding for tuition, course materials, CPR/First Aid certification, and registration cost for their credentialing exam along with intensive wrap-around services. Students will complete their practicum at one of Sun Life Health’s 14 locations which will ideally transition directly into employment upon completion of the program requirements.” She added, “This is an amazing opportunity for Pinal and Maricopa County youth ages 16-24 to not only earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in a health profession with exponential growth projections but also help fill the extreme shortage of medical assistants across the state of Arizona. I am extremely excited that Sun Life Health chose the Central Arizona College Medical Assistant degree program for this partnership. My hope is that we can continue providing this opportunity for many years to come.”
For more information about this program or the CAC Medical Assistant program please contact Allison Foster, Program Advocate at allison.foster@centralaz.edu.