Making a Difference in the Community
How do you make certain that the launch of an important Medical Assistant training facility goes off without a hitch? You put a rock star at the helm and provide her with a phenomenal staff!
When Charter College opened Charter Institute in Farmington, New Mexico back in May, the school had a clear mission: to provide Medical Assistant training to students in an area that had a verified need for well-trained entry level professionals. With San Juan Regional Medical Center just ten minutes from campus, Charter Institute was strategically located to benefit students, graduates, and the community.
“We’ve been extremely well-received in the community,” says Campus Manager Kimberly Thunderbird. “San Juan Regional has a real need for trained medical assistants. The next closest accredited school for medical assisting is three hours away in Albuquerque.”
According to Kimberly, students have been flocking to the school. Students are enrolling—and staying—and passing along their good experience to their friends.
“We have 106 students enrolled right now,” says Kimberly, “and we’ve been getting a lot of referrals. We receive walk-ins daily, asking about our program.”
Kimberly says that students are attracted to the program because they are looking for solid training and a connection to actual employment opportunities. She and her staff are committed to providing students with quality Medical Assistant training that gives them the skills and confidence to be real assets to an employer. They also bring in representatives from area healthcare facilities to speak directly with students about job openings.
“We had someone from Presbyterian Medical Service in just the other day who told our students: Do your externship with us and we’ll have positions that you could apply for once you’re done,” says Kimberly. “The students were really excited.”
Helping students complete their programs and get into those externships is one of Kimberly’s top priorities.
“I want the school to be known as a place that can change lives for the better. We continuously remind students why they’re here and what they want to accomplish,” says Kimberly. “We build solid relationships and do all we can to support them and keep them motivated.”
Kimberly says “we” a lot because she has an amazing group of dedicated educators working with her. She says she “couldn’t ask for a better team. They care so much about these students and believe in their success.”
If you’re looking for Medical Assistant training in New Mexico, come train with professionals who believe in you. You could complete the Charter Institute Farmington Medical Assistant Certificate program in as little as 10 months. If you’re ready to prepare for a career, it’s time to get started!