Medical Administrative Training Program
The Medical Administrative Training Program (MATP) is a division of the Urban League’s Customized Workforce Training Program. Recognizing that the health care industry is a key driver of economic growth in Dane County and a critical provider of jobs, MATP helps local employers build a world-class diverse workforce while helping unemployed and underemployed individuals secure good jobs with career opportunities. Training targets clerical and administrative careers with local hospitals, clinics, medical billing companies, and other agencies in the healthcare sector.
What Are The Target Occupations?
Employment potential includes: Medical Receptionist, Medical Records Clerk, Medical Secretary, Insurance Verifier, Coding Assistant, General Office, Program Assistant, Help Desk Representative, Records Technician, Medical Scheduling, and other health occupation support.
Who Is The Program’s Target Customer?
The program targets unemployed and underemployed individuals with an interest in clerical positions and/or the healthcare environment as well as individuals who are seeking new employment or career enhancement opportunities in the sector. Participants must have a high school degree, GED, or HSED as well as keyboarding & computer skills, and satisfactory scores on T.A.B.E Math and English.
What Type Of Healthcare Industry Training Is Provided?
The course runs for 16 weeks. Classroom training averages 20 hours per week. Students complete 5 to 10 hours of self-guided study each week plus a 40-hour internship in a healthcare setting. Classroom training consists of 3-credit course in Medical Terminology accredited by Madison Area Technical College. Dean Health System also provides training that leads to a certificate in Epic Software and HIPPA/privacy policies.
What Other Types Of Transferrable Employment Skills Are Taught?
Participants complete a 1-credit MATC accredited course in Professional Career Development. Students learn to research the job market, develop a job search/career portfolio, explore networking, prepare for employment tests and practice for job interviews. The portfolio includes a resume, cover letter, thank you letter, reference sheet, job application form and work samples. DANEnet also teaches business computer skills including MS Windows and Office applications, email, and Internet navigation.
What Support Is Provided To Participants That Complete The Course?
Each participant is assigned an Urban League Career Placement Counselor. The Counselor helps each participant complete their career portfolio and develop an individualized job search and career development plan. The Counselor provides job leads and follow-up support at regular intervals and when needed once a participant secures employment. This includes help troubleshooting challenges such as transportation, childcare, work performance problems, workplace conflicts, layoffs, and more.
What Are The Benefits Provided To Employers?
Prior to enrollment in the program, interested candidates undergo an intensive screening & assessment. Reading, writing, math, and other basic skills are assessed using the ACT COMPASS System. A personal interview and reference checks also help assess job readiness and match between the program and the individuals’ career goals and the goals.
Urban League staff are available to help employers and employees troubleshoot challenges such as transportation, childcare, and more. The Urban League’s team of professionals also has proven experience helping employers and employees manage racial, socio-economic and cultural issues in the workplace.
Finally, Urban League staff work with program graduates to develop, update, and execute their career development plans and further their professional development and skills training.
Who Are The Partners And How Does The Partnership Operate?
Local employers involved in the MATP partnership have included Dean Health Systems, UW Medical Foundation, Meriter Hospital, Group Health Cooperative, WPS Insurance, and Physicians Plus. These partners provide funding, help with curriculum design, instructors, internship opportunities, interview coaches, and training facilities for topics such as Epic Software. MATC provides classrooms, computer access, instructors, access to COMPASS diagnostic assessments, and access to OneCard and all related MATC resources.
The Urban League of Greater Madison is responsible for: Coordinating all components of the program and developing timetables; Providing a lead instructor for the Professional Career Development course; Marketing and recruitment of program participants; Conducting intake, assessment, and screening of all program applicants; referrals to other Urban League programs or community support services based; Identifying and coordinating internship opportunities, company tours, special projects, and other activities that enhance the classroom curriculum; Paying MATC enrollment and credit fees for each participant; Providing students with intensive, one-on-one job search assistance once students complete a course; Providing individualized career counseling for each student.
Additional funding for the project has been provided by United Way of Dane County, The Cremer Foundation, The Madison Community Foundation, and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
Has The Partnership Been Successful?
The Partnership has now run the program three times and served nearly 40 individuals. On average, 85 percent of graduates are employed within 30 days of completing the program, a rate 10 to 20 percent higher than national industry standards for programs serving individuals with employment barriers. Many graduates are now with our partner organizations including UW Medical Foundation, Meriter, and Dean.