Discover Your Path to a Healthcare Career
The "Healthcare Horizons: Aspire to Care" project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Fast Forward grant, Mayo Clinic Health System Northwest Wisconsin, and CVTC. This initiative aims to train and employ Wisconsin residents for roles as Clinical Assistants (CA) and Patient Care Assistants (PCA) at Mayo Clinic. The program covers tuition and fees entirely.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements are simple:
- Must be a Wisconsin resident
- Open to current or prospective Mayo Clinic employees
- The course format is tailored for incumbent workers, particularly those with some experience in patient care.
Delivery of training is in a blended format, incorporating both online and in-person learning experiences.
If you’re looking to further your education and make an impact in today’s world of healthcare, this is the place for you.
Pick Your Path
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Track
- Training equivalent to our Nursing Assistant program and course
- Credits Earned: 2 college credits, Technical Diploma
- Opportunity to sit for state certification (CNA)
- Duration: 6-12 weeks
Clinical Assistant (CA) Track
- Training directly from our Medical Assistant program
- Credits Earned: 17 college credits, Technical Diploma
- Duration: Approximately 6-12 months
- Students may be eligible to bypass certain courses with relevant prior learning credits or experience.
Explore Our Nursing Assistant Program
Learn More About Healthcare Horizons
FAQs
What is the completion time for each of the program offerings?
The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) track is anticipated to take approximately 8 to 12 weeks to complete. The Clinic Assistant (CA) track is a more robust offering of courses and may therefore have greater variability but can expect to take roughly 6 to 12 months for completion. This will depend on a variety of factors such as how quickly the leaner progresses through the online learning, any credits for prior learning, and the frequency of scheduled classroom-based sessions and clinical experiences.
I’ve already taken one of the courses or have plenty of work experience with the content covered in a course, do I need to still enroll in that course?
Credit for prior learning is available for the Clinic Assistant program only. If you’ve already taken courses or have other work/life experience that pertain to the course content, you may be able to ‘test out’ of one or more courses, thereby accelerating the time to earn all credits required for program completion. The PCA program requires the learner to complete all portions, regardless of other prior experience; this is a state of Wisconsin rule.
Are opportunities restricted to current employees?
This unique professional development opportunity is targeted at current and prospective employees of Mayo Clinic Health System; however, it may be promoted externally to the community as well. The primary program restriction is that participants must be current Wisconsin residents.
What are the major differences between the PCA and Clinic Assistant programs?
The PCA pathway is a 2-credit nursing assistant course that requires online learning, in-person skills-based learning/practice, and a clinical experience to reinforce and apply concepts and skills learned during the course. This pathway is suitable for learners looking to enter the healthcare field or fulfill prerequisite coursework for students pursuing careers in healthcare. The learner is eligible to obtain CNA certification when completing all course requirements.
The Clinic Assistant pathway is a more robust offering with multiple courses. Several courses are web-based, with a few in-person classes allowing learners to practice hands-on skills. Students in this pathway do have the option of earning credit for prior learning, so they may be able to ‘test out’ of certain courses if they already have the necessary knowledge covered in the course. This is determined by the course faculty. A certificate is awarded to the learner at the completion of all coursework. This program may serve as a bridge to continued learning for those interested in becoming a Medical Assistant (CCMA).
If I fill out the intake form, am I committed to completing the program?
No, filling out the intake form does not necessarily commit you, but notifies the program organizers of your interest and allow them to communicate potential interested students to our partners at CVTC for next steps.
Am I eligible to enroll if I currently work in a non- patient facing role (e.g., EVS, dietary, etc.)?
Absolutely! These courses are designed for anyone interested in healthcare. The pathways are designed to be customizable and provide opportunities for everyone regardless of experience or current skills. Staff looking to explore patient care roles are welcome to apply.
When are the classroom (in-person) portions of the courses scheduled?
The in-person course offerings will be determined and scheduled once enough students are enrolled to have a CVTC instructor teach the course. Once a cohort of learners is launched into their online-based coursework, details and scheduling of in-person courses will be made available to those learners. Is the intent of this program for Clinic Assistants to advance onto work as a PCA, or vice versa?
Enriching yourself personally and professionally is a benefit of this program. Career exploration at Mayo Clinic is encouraged for learners that successfully complete their course(s), however there is no specific requirement to move out of (or stay in) your current role. Prospective learners are encouraged to explore an option that best suits their work and career development goals.
I am interested in taking only a specific course or two, but don’t want to take all the courses. Can I still enroll?
Learners that enroll in the Clinic Assistant program are expected to complete all 17 credits, whether they be awarded through prior learning, by completing each course individually, or a combination of those two. Students wishing to enroll in only select courses would not qualify for the free tuition that is being offered due to grant funding requirements.
Upon completing the coursework, do I need to work in a PCA or Clinic Assistant role?
Although it’s recommended to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the course(s) in the work setting, this is not a specific requirement. Learners do not need to pick one pathway based on the role they currently have. Program content may align differently to learners based upon their individual professional goals. The Certified Nursing Assistant, earned through the PCA program, is often a perquisite for several different health career degrees such as nursing, radiography, and pre-medicine.
How many learners can enroll?
A minimum of 56 PCA and 60 Clinic Assistant learner opportunities are available over a 2-year period.
Once completing the Nursing Assistant (PCA) course, do I need to also complete the CNA exam/skills demonstration to become certified?
While becoming certified as a CNA is highly encouraged, this is not currently required. Options are being explored for offering reimbursement to program learners who obtain their CNA certification through Mayo Clinic’s Career Investment Program (CIP).
Where are the in-person courses being held?
PCA skills lab and clinical will likely be offered at our Osseo campus. Clinic Assistant courses that are not available online will likely be held at the CVTC campus in Eau Claire. This is subject to change based upon resource and instructor availability.
Will I get dedicated time off work to complete my coursework?
Protected time to work on coursework is not guaranteed, however, talk with your leaders regarding flexible schedule opportunities. Learners also need to remain flexible with their schedules and understand the potential for possible evening and/or weekend options. Learners must be proactive in communicating their academic schedule needs and working with their leaders to make temporary adjustments to their schedule as necessary.