Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Media Relations >
  • News Releases >
  • 2024 News >
  • UPMC Launches New Medical Assistant Trainee Program in Central Pa.
Media Relations
News Releases
Central Pa. News
2022 News
2023 News
2024 News
North Central Pa. News
Contact Us
Experts
Community-Focused News
Media Kits
Media RSS
Media Relations
News Releases
Central Pa. News
2022 News
2023 News
2024 News
North Central Pa. News
Contact Us
Experts
Community-Focused News
Media Kits
Media RSS

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

UPMC Launches New Medical Assistant Trainee Program in Central Pa.

UPMC

March 19, 2024

HARRISBURG, Pa. — UPMC in Central Pa. has launched an in-house medical assistant trainee program. Through the paid training program, students enrolled in the UPMC Medical Assistant course undergo clinical rotations, didactic skills modules, cost-free MA certification exam and an externship placement at a UPMC in Central Pa. outpatient clinic, along with support in applying for and beginning a permanent position.

A pilot class started in late fall of 2023. The inaugural class of the Medical Assistant Trainee program graduated after completing the 16-week session and passing their Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams. The three graduates committed full-time to gain key skills in an educational and clinical setting while also being paid.

“This program has allowed me to achieve the goals that I was looking for and spend time with my children, while still providing for them,” said Shanda Neal, MA graduate. “Being paid to learn has alleviated the uncertainty about making this career change.”

Students work directly with physicians and staff in multiple medical offices across the region to assist with various aspects of patient care. Graduates from the program immediately start as senior medical assistants in fields of their interest.

“We’re excited to celebrate our first cohort and the success of the new MA training program,” said Gina Pupo, senior director of Clinical Operations. “The achievement of our students highlights the positive patient experience that our program brings to our medical offices across the central Pa. region.”

UPMC MA Trainee Enrollment

The next cohort for the UPMC MA Trainee program will begin on Monday, May 13. Classes will be held for 16 weeks, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the UPMC education facility at 3 Walnut St., Lemoyne. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma (or the equivalent).

For more information, go to careers.UPMC.com and search “Medical Assistant Trainee” in Lemoyne, Pa.

Shanda Neal, Lisa Armour, and Kaitlynne Green celebrate as the first graduates from UPMC’s MA program in central Pa.

Shanda Neal, Lisa Armour, and Kaitlynne Green celebrate as the first graduates from UPMC’s MA program in central Pa.

MA instructor, Bridget Zimmerman, leads the classroom experience as a key part of the curriculum.

MA instructor, Bridget Zimmerman, leads the classroom experience as a key part of the curriculum.

Shanda Neal demonstrate clinical skills.

Shanda Neal demonstrate clinical skills.

For Journalists

Michaela Vallonio
717-941-0688
valloniom@upmc.edu

Appointments, Patient Information

Want to Make an Appointment or Need Patient Information? Contact UPMC at 1-800-533-8762.

Go to Find a Doctor to search for a UPMC provider.

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login