Turning a Career Transition into Opportunity
When Richard entered the Practice Coordinator Program, he was looking for work after being displaced from the tech sector. What he found was much more than a training program. He found a clear path into healthcare, renewed confidence in his abilities, and a profession that not only leveraged his technical background but also reminded him of why he wanted to help others.
After several years of professional experience in technical roles, it took Richard some time to readjust to the structured classroom setting and the virtual learning environment. Sometimes he doubted himself. But he stayed committed. Soon, he was mastering new concepts, preparing for interviews, and onboarding into his internship.
The biggest surprise for Richard wasn't the material. It was the personal development he experienced during the program. Richard credits much of his success to the administrative and leadership team at UCSF’s Learning and Organizational Development for helping him persist through challenges. Their mentorship, paired with encouragement from classmates, kept him focused when the work became more challenging.
Looking back, Richard says the program changed much more than his employment status.
"The program gave me a way back into the workforce, but it also gave me something even more important: purpose, direction, and a community of people who genuinely care."
His experience reflects what workforce development researchers have found. Participants are more likely to succeed when organizational leaders actively support them, remove barriers, and connect training to meaningful employment opportunities.
A New Career in Healthcare
Richard now works as a Practice Coordinator at UCSF, where he's building expertise in clinic operations, scheduling systems, and electronic health records. Richard sees his current role not as the destination, but as the first step in a long-term healthcare career. He hopes to build expertise in clinic operations and EPIC before eventually becoming an EPIC analyst, combining his technical background with frontline experience to improve systems for patients and care teams.
“My goal is to continue growing in my current role as a Practice Coordinator and become highly skilled in EPIC.”
Richard advises future students to embrace the robust curriculum and fully utilize the supportive services available to them.
"Stay open, be consistent, and trust the process. Lean into every assignment, mock interview, and group discussion, because everything you do in the program matters. This program offers much more than administrative training. It gives you confidence, structure, and support as you grow into a completely new professional identity."
Creating Pathways and Strengthening Communities
Richard's journey demonstrates how, as a part of UCSF Anchor Institution Mission, investing in people strengthens both individuals and institutions. By creating pathways into meaningful healthcare careers, UCSF is building and retaining a skilled workforce, while also expanding stable career and economic opportunities to the communities it serves.
The Practice Coordinator training program is a 16-week partnership with Jewish Vocational Services. Applications open several times a year, and more information is available here.