Esperanza Health Centers in Chicago, IL, is offering a Free Medical Assistant Training Program in partnership with the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA), a reputable medical assistant training program. This initiative aims to provide accessible opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career as medical assistants within the local community.
The program is structured to accommodate twenty students annually, with ten slots available for the spring cohort and another ten for the fall cohort. It is open to anyone with a genuine interest in becoming a medical assistant and a strong understanding of the healthcare challenges prevalent in the Southwest side community. Esperanza aspires to have these trained individuals join their healthcare team upon program completion, becoming valuable additions to their award-winning staff.
Traditional medical assistant training programs can often come with significant costs, making them financially unattainable for some individuals. However, Esperanza is committed to covering tuition and fees for all twenty students, provided they choose to continue working with Esperanza following their training. Applicants should meet specific criteria, including Illinois residency, being at least 18 years old by the program’s end, possessing a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate, proficiency in verbal and written English, bilingual fluency in Spanish and English, proof of required immunizations, and ideally, regular access to a computer and the internet. Additionally, selected candidates will undergo a background check conducted by NIMAA.
The NIMAA program spans 29 weeks, equivalent to approximately eight months. Successful program graduates will have the opportunity to sit for a medical assistant certification exam of their choice. Detailed application information can be found on NIMAA’s application webpage, including answers to frequently asked questions.
| Program Information | Details |
| Cost | Free |
| Program Duration | Approximately 29 weeks (8 months) |
| Class Schedules | Spring and Fall cohorts available |
| Prerequisites | – Illinois residency<br> – 18 years old by program completion date<br> – High school diploma, GED, or equivalent<br> – Proficiency in verbal and written English<br> – Bilingual (Spanish/English)<br> – Proof of required immunizations<br> – Regular access to a computer and internet (recommended)<br> – Background check conducted by NIMAA (if an offer is made) |
| Location | Esperanza Health Centers, 2724 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608 |
| Phone | (773) 542-7077 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | https://www.esperanzachicago.org/ |
| Job Placement | Opportunities to join Esperanza Health Centers upon program completion |
| Online Classes? | Yes, portions of the program may be delivered online |
| Free Classes? | Yes |
Esperanza Health Centers is enthusiastic about introducing this innovative program to their community and anticipates receiving applications from aspiring medical assistants who are eager to contribute to the healthcare sector. Any inquiries or concerns regarding the application process can be directed to NIMAA at [email protected], while questions specific to the NIMAA program at Esperanza Health Centers can be directed to [email protected]. This initiative offers a promising pathway to a fulfilling career in the medical field for those who meet the program’s requirements.