Our members say it best!
Amanda’s Success Story
Amanda Chu is Medical Assistant at UW Medical Center Northwest Campus.
She completed the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program and is now using the Training Fund to further her healthcare career and achieve her education goals.
Previously from Arizona, Amanda wanted to go to school and become a Medical Assistant but could not afford to lower her work hours to attend school full time. After she moved to Washington in 2022, she learned about the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program and knew it was the perfect fit.
My forever dream has been to become an MA and then an RN. I was always worried about costs and support. Now, with the Training Fund, I have both!”
The earn-while-you-learn Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program allows learners to work full time, receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training from an assigned mentor – all while getting paid. Apprentices also have access to wrap-around support services to support program success and completion.
Now that she has completed the apprenticeship and passed the Medical Assistant Certification Exam, Amanda has access to additional Training Fund member benefits on her journey to become an RN.
“Over the years I’ve had different jobs in the healthcare field, but my heart has always come back to nursing. Being a Medical Assistant, I get to interact with many different patients daily and I make an impact on their lives. But I want to do more for them.
My mom, my husband Nick, and my best friend Adrienne have all motivated me to be the best person I can be so that I can achieve my goals and dreams. They have always believed in me and told me not to give up: that I’m meant to do this.”
Amanda (left, green pants) at her Issaquah Clinic apprenticeship training site.
“Getting into the apprenticeship was a dream come true, because I could learn but also still be able to pay my bills.
I will forever be grateful for that!”
The Training Fund is a Labor-Management partnership between the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW union and several major healthcare providers. As an SEIU 1199NW member working at a trust healthcare partner, Amanda can utilize Tuition Assistance to cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs.
Amanda Chu (center, pink hair) at her Clinic site in Kirkland
“The Tuition Assistance and the increased Service member Tuition Assistance funding has allowed me to take the pre-req classes I need to apply for nursing school.
With so many things going on in my life, it is very comforting to know that paying for my education isn’t a stress I have to worry about.”
Juggling a full-time job, family, and other commitments can make it challenging to return to school. So, the Training Fund provides experienced navigators and additional support services to minimize barriers.
Amanda adds, “I am very thankful for the Training Fund and specifically my navigator, Dahabo – they are miracle workers!”