Apprenticeship Programs at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines and UnityPoint Clinic
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and UnityPoint Clinic is offering employees opportunities to grow within their career. Apprenticeships offer structured training programs which provide employees a chance to work toward furthering their career.
The apprenticeship programs give team members an opportunity to learn new skills and earn more money. By providing an apprenticeship program for UnityPoint Health - Des Moines and UnityPoint Clinic employees, our team can receive access to healthcare training and the opportunity to gain employment therefore changing their lives and their families and our Central Iowa community. Each apprenticeship program provides accelerated training, combining classroom with hands-on experience. Click on the apprenticeship programs below for information about each program.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Apprenticeship Program Information
The CMA Apprenticeship Program is sponsored by UnityPoint Clinic.
What is a Certified Medical Assistant?
- Certified Medical Assistants, or CMAs, are healthcare professionals who work under the care of licensed healthcare practitioners in medical clinics and offices.
What is a CMA apprenticeship?
- A chance to earn while learning. CMA apprentices work at UnityPoint Health during the week while taking classes part time in the evening. At the end of the first year, apprentices transfer into a new position and begin working as non-certified Medical Assistants while continuing to take classes part time in the evening. At the end of the program and upon successful completion of the medical assisting program and certification, apprentices begin working as Certified Medical Assistants.
Why consider a CMA apprenticeship?
- Career advancement opportunity
- 100% of tuition is paid for
- Guaranteed a position as a CMA upon completion
- Come for a job; stay for a career
What does a CMA apprentice learn during the program?
- Medical office procedures
- How to care for patients in a clinic setting
- How to obtain and process common laboratory specimens
- Work alongside providers and nurses as part of the care team
What type of training does a CMA apprentice receive?
- Classes are held at DMACC and include the following:
- Psychology 101
- Medical Terminology
- Communication Skills or English Composition
- Professional Development MAP 423 and MAP 606
- Health and Disease l and ll
- Medical Office Management l and ll
- Medical Laboratory l and ll
- Practicum – 192 Hours
How long is the apprenticeship?
What requirements are needed to enter the CMA apprenticeship program?
- View the entry requirements for the DMACC Medical Assistant program.
- Candidates must be employed with UnityPoint Health at least one year by the time a cohort begins.
- Candidates must be accepted into DMACC Medical Assisting Program which includes demonstrating the ability to meet the below academic assessment requirements.
- Complete an application for admission – must be completed prior to taking any assessments.
- Submit proof of high school graduation or HiSET completion.
- Complete required entry assessments. Web login information is provided after completing the DMACC application and is needed for testing. Testing can be completed online from any computer with WiFi access.
- ACCUPLACER Reading – Score of 73 or above is required
- ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills – Score of 83 or above is required
- ALEKS Math Assessments – Score of 30 or above is required. If score is below 30, there are learning practice modules that can be completed and then the option to retest up to five times is allowed.
- or ACT scores in Reading at 19 or above, English 19 or above, Math 14 or above
- Candidates must submit evidence of a grade "C" or better in one year of high school biology or equivalent.
- Typing test/word processing requirement is 35 words/minute with five or less errors in a five-minute timed assessment.
How do I apply for the CMA apprenticeship?
Medical Lab Technician (MLT) Apprenticeship Program Information
What is a Medical Lab Technician?
- Medical Lab Technicians, or MLTs, perform tests that help diagnose and treat diseases, detect medical mysteries, and look for clues in tests to determine the absence, presence, extent and cause of disease.
What is a MLT apprenticeship?
- A chance to earn while learning. MLT apprentices work at UnityPoint Health as a Lab Support Tech during the week while taking classes part time around their work schedule. At the end of the program and upon successful completion of the MLT program and certification, apprentices begin working as MLTs.
Why consider a MLT apprenticeship?
- Career advancement opportunity
- 100% of tuition is paid for
- Guaranteed a position as a MLT upon completion
- Come for a job; stay for a career
What does a MLT apprentice learn during the program?
- Medical lab procedures
- How to performing various tests on specimens
- How to operate equipment in a clinical lab setting
- Work alongside providers and nurses as part of the care team
What type of training does a MLT apprentice receive?
How long is the MLT Apprenticeship?
- Three years of training followed by a three year employment commitment as a MLT
What requirements are needed to enter the MLT apprenticeship program?
- Candidates must be working in a Lab Support Tech position for at least six months before applying
- Candidates must have a high school diploma/equivalent
- Proof of completing high school biology or required to take during first semester at DMACC
- Proof of completing high school algebra or required to take during first semester at DMACC
- Proof of completing high school chemistry or required to take during first semester at DMACC
Patient Care Tech (PCT) Apprenticeship Program Information
What is a Patient Care Tech?
- Patient Care Techs help patients with direct health care needs, often under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. PCTs are also referred to as nursing assistants.
What is a PCT apprenticeship?
- A chance to earn while learning. PCT apprentices begin working on a nursing floor after taking the Basic Nurse Aide course at one of two approved training programs in Des Moines. During the first year of employment, apprentices will also take the Advance Nurse Aide course.
Why consider a PCT apprenticeship?
- Career advancement opportunity
- 100% of tuition is paid for
- Guaranteed a position as a PCT upon completion of the Basic Nurse Aide course
- Come for a job; stay for a career
What does a PCT apprentice learn during the program?
- Provide and document care including activities of daily living, mobility, specimen collection and respiratory support activities as directed by the RN
- The ability to lift, move, position, transport patients
- Improve quality of care, patient and employee safety and customer service
What type of training does a PCT apprentice receive?
- Training is done at DMACC or Signature Healthcare and include the following:
- Basic Nurse Aide – 75 Hours
- Advanced Nurse Aide – 75 Hours
How long is the apprenticeship?
What requirements are needed to enter the PCT apprenticeship program?
- High school diploma/equivalent
How do I apply for the PCT apprenticeship?
- Cohorts will start three times throughout the year: January, June, September
- Candidates can apply at unitypoint.org/careers
- Application period will begin about two months before the start of the cohort
Registered Nurse (RN) Residency Apprenticeship Program Information
What is a Registered Nurse?
Registered Nurses or (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families and communities.
What is a RN Residency Apprenticeship Program?
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