Just a few months ago, Grace entered the 3-in-1 training program in the hope of exploring her interest in healthcare with no prior clinical experience, reflecting the reality for many young people interested in health care but unsure how to get started. Today, that has changed dramatically. As a high school graduate, she is now on the path to becoming a certified phlebotomist, making her eligible for roles that can pay $37-$40 in California, depending on the setting and experience.
Community Partnerships That Strengthen the Local Health Care Workforce
The program is a partnership between Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA) and UCSF’s Center for Science Education and Outreach (CSEO) that prepares participants for careers in Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, and EKG administration. Through hands-on phlebotomy labs, Grace has already completed more than 25 successful blood draws and learned how to safely administer injections. The skills she is developing, including phlebotomy, vital signs collection, and EKG administration, are among those most frequently requested in clinical care settings. A combination of online instruction and in-person lab training have allowed Grace to build competence quickly and confidently.
Equally important, the program offers a supportive and welcoming learning environment that is critical to staying engaged and motivated. Grace described instructors and peers as friendly and encouraging, helping make the transition into clinical training both manageable and empowering. Designed to be flexible and realistic, the 3-in-1 program allows participants to balance coursework alongside family responsibilities and other commitments that can often present barriers to training and professional advancement.
Grace is now preparing to take the phlebotomy certification exam in the coming weeks, an important milestone that can open doors to immediate employment opportunities within the UCSF health system and beyond. Her experience illustrates how short-term clinical training, when paired with the right support, can prepare new entrants for in-demand health care roles.
Growing Demand for Certified Medical Assistants Nationwide
This training pathway aligns with broader workforce trends in health care. National data show tens of thousands of job openings each year for Certified Medical Assistants, reflecting steady demand across outpatient clinics, hospitals, and other care settings. Employment in the occupation is expected to continue growing as health care needs evolve as new federal legislation is implemented, and the current workforce moves toward retirement.
The 3-in-1 program is one of several workforce training initiatives supported through the UCSF Anchor Institution Mission, which partners with community-based organizations to strengthen the local health care workforce while expanding economic opportunity for San Francisco Bay Area communities.