WORCESTER, Mass. — When Melinda Shanahan moved to Worcester in 2006, she worked as a 911 operator for the City, then later attended Quinsigamond Community College for its nursing program. But she didn’t finish, which resulted in what she called a “large gap” on her resume and made it harder for to restart her education.

But when Shanahan saw a Facebook post that promoted a new administrative medical professional training program at Quinsigamond, she thought it would be the ideal catalyst to re-enter the workforce.

“I thought ‘Oh that looks like a great opportunity,’” Shanahan said.

Quinsigamond Community College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Center (CWDCE) is offering a free, grant-funded administrative medical professional training program, which will prepare students for careers as medical administrative assistants.

“I don’t think I would have done it otherwise,” Shanahan said. “I had been looking, since I was trying to update my resume. I knew a lot of things had changed in that timeframe. So this was very helpful to me. My resume looks updated, it shows that I am still wanting to be in the workforce and it gives me a foot in the door.”

Those in the program receive free tuition, books and supplies. In addition, they attend a computer class and earn contact tracing and infectious control certifications. 

Shanahan, like the others in her program, took the course remotely, which was more manageable with her son attending his own virtual schooling. 

Melinda Shanahan. Courtesy photo.

“I had my desk. He had his,” Shanahan said. “It actually worked out fine. There were a few times when he said ‘Mom, you have to mute.’ But other than that, it worked out well.”

Shanahan thinks that she was able to still get everything out of the program even though it wasn’t physically in a classroom.

Students learn roles and responsibilities along with interpersonal communication, medical records and management, compliance with HIPAA, and other diagnostic and procedural coding information. Shanahan said that her RN background helped as she knew most of the medical terminology.

The program prepares students to work as medical administrative assistants in healthcare facilities including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, long-term care facilities, surgery centers, ambulatory surgery centers, rehabilitation centers and more.

After the completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Health Career Association’s Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Certification Exam. The fee for the exam is paid for by Quinsigamond’s program.

Students will also receive career placement assistance, and if they work in the field for at least two months, students will receive a $500 stipend.

“I do love anything medical,” Shanahan said. “But now there’s more of a data side to it, and I think I thrive in that environment.”

Currently, the second class of students is going through the training.

“This gives a sort of leg up and the opportunity to go out and try to apply to new jobs,” said Karen Hutner, Quinsigamond’s publications manager. “The program gives them a little more confidence.”