Meet 1B4J's Certified Medical Administrative Assistants
Friday Aug 19th, 2016
Workforce Challenge
As part of the One Baltimore for Jobs initiative managed by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Humanim created a program to train Baltimore residents to become Certified Medical Administrative Assistants.
Workforce Solution
The goal of this grant-funded pilot program is to provide training for individuals who are under-employed, unemployed or live in distressed neighborhoods. Through the rigorous 13-week CMAA training program, 15 Baltimore women, ages 18-19, completed the training in July 2016 and are now officially Certified Medical Administrative Assistants. Three graduates have already found work as CMAAs, making $11 an hour or more. These women earned their nationally-recognized certifications through a combination of hard work and mutual support. One participant, Natasha Miller, walked 16 blocks each day to catch a free bus in order to make it to her classes.
Outcomes & Benefits
The new CMAAs are now working at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Health System, and the University of Maryland Medical System.
Tired of working retail jobs for most of his life, Eric Richardson Jr. wanted a change. With many stores closing in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wanted a secure future that allowed for the possibility of starting his own business. 