Earn While You Learn

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Learn more and apply

Next hire date: February 2024

Training time: Three months

What is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)?

The EMT is a person who is trained to give basic emergency medical care. This has historically been in an ambulance. We are now using EMTs more in hospitals to help provide care to our patients.

Is there a career path for EMTs?

While you can work your entire career as an EMT some choose to continue their education. There are a number of options for the EMT such as advanced EMT, paramedic, and critical care paramedic. Others find this introduction to healthcare leads them to careers in nursing, radiology technology, respiratory therapy, or other roles in the hospital setting.

How does this work:

Trainees are hired with no prior experience other than high school diploma or equivalent. UVA will pay you a full time salary, your benefits, and expenses for your training. Our benefits package equals about 30% of your salary! UVA asks for 1 year commitment from those we train.

The EMT course is included in your work hours. Half of your week will be spent in the EMT course or completing related assignments. The other half of your week will be in rotations through a variety of departments including the emergency department, medical transport network, intensive care units, radiology, and psychiatry. The goal is to broaden your educational experience and provide insight areas you may work upon completion.

Where do EMT’s work at UVA:

There are a number of places EMT’s can work whether they go through the Earn While You Learn program or have taken the EMT course on their own.

These areas include,

• Emergency Department
• Medical Transport Network (must be 21 to drive ambulance)
• In-patient units such as ICU’s or acute care units
• Psychiatry as a Mental Health Technician
• Radiology
• There are other areas, such as Dialysis, that don’t require EMT but prefer this training for their technicians

Course Details:

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) provide out of hospital medical care, and transportation to patients who are experiencing emergency events. The UVA Life Support Learning Center (LSLC) provides EMT education based upon the national standards derived from the US Department of transportation, and is overseen by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.  As part of the earn to learn program, candidates will be enrolled in an EMT program that is three months in duration.

At the end of three months, you will be prepared to begin your career caring for the ill and injured at the top level 1 Trauma Center at UVA’s Emergency Department, or responding to medical emergencies in the community on one of our Medic V ambulances.

Training Includes:

• Basic anatomy and physiology
• Introductory medical, legal and ethical knowledge
• Patient assessment
• Skill and knowledge development to safely deliver emergency care to patients across the life span: Infant to senior citizens
• Skill-building to stabilize and safely transport patients
• Immobilization and splinting of injured extremities and bleeding control
• Basic pharmacology that includes medication administration in certain specific circumstances
• Mass-casualty and disaster management
• Scene safety and personal protection
• Written and oral communication in the clinical context

Methods of instruction:

• Virtual didactic education via the Jones and Bartlett education platform
• In person lab and skill building sessions using a 1:6 instructor to student ratio
• In person patient care training using high fidelity mannequins and a 1:2 instructor to student ratio

Phlebotomy Trainee - Learn more and apply

Next hire date: June 2024

Training Time: 12 weeks

As part of the Earn While you learn program, candidates will be enrolled in a three-month program with training and experiences that will allow you to work at UVA Medical Center alongside the best laboratory professionals, nurses, doctors, PCTs, and support staff.

What is a “Phlebotomist?”

Phlebotomist draw blood from our patients. This involves receiving orders for lab work from our computer system, identifying the correct patient, assembling needed supplies, safely drawing blood from the patient, and submitting labs for processing. This role is needed inside our hospital (or in-patient) and in our ambulatory clinics. You will be working closely with patients. While your time with each patient may be short it is important to make them comfortable and help them relax.

Is there a career path for Phlebotomist?

For many the Phlebotomist role may be a long term career path. For others it can be the first step as they continue their education to be become a Medical Lab Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technologist, or even a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Others find this introduction to healthcare leads them to careers in nursing, radiology technology, respiratory therapy, or other roles in the hospital setting.

How does this work:

Trainees are hired with no prior experience other than high school diploma or equivalent. UVA will pay you a full time salary, your benefits, and expenses for your training. Our benefits package equals about 30% of your salary! UVA asks for 1-year commitment from those we train.

Where do Phlebotomist work at UVA:

Phlebotomist work in both the in-patient setting and a number of ambulatory sites. The pace is busy in both settings.

Course Details:

• The course is provided by PVCC on site at UVA.
• The first two weeks is primarily classroom instruction providing important foundational information.
• Part of the course will be virtual or use a computer. If you do not have computer, please let us know and arrangements can be made to help you access one of ours for your course work.
• You will have controlled practice in the classroom as you first learn to draw blood.
• Next you will go into the outpatient clinics and inpatient rotations to gain experience.
• You will have an exam upon completion.

Medical Assistant Trainee - Learn more and apply

Next hire date: February 2024

Spots are limited

Training time: 9 weeks

Work for the #1 hospital in VA -- University of Virginia Medical Center. We are hiring into our exciting Earn While You Learn program where you will be trained to become an outpatient Medical Assistant. As part of the Earn While you learn program, candidates will be enrolled in a nine-week program with training and experiences that will allow you to work at UVA Medical Center clinics alongside the best nurses, doctors, and clinic support staff.

What is a Certified Medical Assistant?

The CMA role is one of the newer roles in health care. The role works in the ambulatory setting or diagnostic areas such as radiology.

They assist with medical care ranging from getting a patient’s history and taking vital signs to a number of tasks such as getting EKGs, assisting with exams, administering medications, and other more. This role may also assist with administrative tasks in the medical office setting. They perform a wide range of duties under the supervision of a health care provider.

Is there a career path for Certified Medical Assistants?

Many will work their career as CMA. Others find this introduction to healthcare leads them to careers in nursing, radiology technology, respiratory therapy, or other roles in the hospital setting.

How does this work:

Trainees are hired with no prior experience other than high school diploma or equivalent. UVA will pay you a full time salary, your benefits, and expenses for your training. Our benefits package equals about 30% of your salary! UVA asks for 1-year commitment from those we train.

Where do CMAs work at UVA:

There are a number of places CMAs can work whether they go through the Earn While You Learn program or have taken the CMA course on their own.

These areas include,

• Ambulatory Care Units (we have more than 130!)
• Radiology

Course Details:

• PVCC provides our CMA course for the Earn While You Learn Program.
• You can expect to spend some time at PVCC for class and skills.
• You will also rotate through ambulatory clinic sites to observe and gain more experience that will help you build knowledge and confidence.
• A number of the lectures are provided virtually. You may be in a group setting watching these via computer. There will be other tasks that require you to have a computer. If you do not have a computer, please let us know and we will work with you to have access.
• Upon completion there is a certification exam that UVA will cover the costs.
• You will work with our team to find your permanent job upon class completion. There are many options to choose from!

Learn more and apply to Sterile Processing Technician Earn While You Learn Program!

Next hire date: February 2024
New to the Earn While You Learn programs!

Training Time: 16 weeks

What is a “Sterile Processing Technician?”

A Sterile Processing Technician plays a very important role in healthcare. They provide essential patient care in an indirect way. 

They carefully sterilize and assemble all the equipment required for surgery, exams, and other medical procedures. They ensure both patient and team safety.  This equipment is essential not only to our operating rooms but also our procedural areas and clinics. 

Sterile Processing Technicians are detail-oriented and careful workers. This job requires compliance with processes and standards, documentation of efforts, and quality control.  Additionally, this highly specialized role involves the use and maintenance of sterile processing equipment, sterile packaging of instruments, and inventory control.

Is there a career path for Sterile Processing Technician?

There are opportunities to advance to senior positions within the sterile processing field. As part of the Perioperative care team the Surgical Scrub Technician role is one area for growth.  Of course within healthcare there are many areas to pursue. 

How does this work:

Trainees are hired with no prior experience other than high school diploma or equivalent. UVA will pay you a full-time salary, your benefits, and expenses for your training. Our benefits package equals about 30% of your salary! UVA asks for 1-year commitment from those we train.

Where do Sterile Processing Technicians work UVA:

Sterile Processing Technicians typically work in hospitals, clinics, and other settings where medical equipment is used.  At UVA Central Sterile Processing is located near the operating rooms within the UVA Medical Center and our ambulatory surgical locations.  

Course Details:

• The course is provided by Piedmont Virginia Community College and UVA Health.
• This course will include educational time at both PVCC and UVA.  Many hours will be spent documenting your clinical experience at UVA. 
• Topics you will focus on include infection control, sterilization, packaging of sterile instruments, record keeping and compliance, quality control practices, inventory management, and specific knowledge related to medical instruments.
• This course will contain 550 contact hours.  About 150 hours are classroom based and the remainder is documented clinical experience.
• Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the Certified Registered Central Sterile Technician (CRCST) credentials exam offered by the international Association of Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).

 

Nurse Assistant Trainee (CNA) - Learn more and apply

Next hire date: February 2024

Training time: 6-8 weeks

What is a Certified Nurse Assistant? 

A CNA is an entry level member of the patient's healthcare team. They provide important patient-centered care and tasks under the supervision ofa licensed nursing staff. Our CNAs are integral to the care of our patients.

 

Is there a career path for CNAs?

At UVA many of our CNAs will go on to become a Patient Care Assistant or Patient Care Technician. This training is provided by UVA to our employees. In this training more advanced skills will be taught.

Others find this introduction to healthcare leads them to careers in nursing, radiology technology, respiratory therapy, or other roles in the hospital setting.

How does this work:

Trainees are hired with no prior experience other than high school diploma or equivalent. UVA will pay you a full time salary, your benefits, and expenses for your training. Our benefits package equals about 30% of your salary! UVA asks for 1-year commitment from those we train.

The CNA course is included in your work hours. Half of your week will be spent in the course or completing related assignments. The other half of your week will be working on the patient care units with another CNA for on the job experience. The goal is to broaden your educational experience and provide insight areas you may work upon completion.

Where do CNAs work at UVA:

CNAs are essential to the care of our patients. Positions are available in many patient care areas. You can expect to receive additional training after the course is complete to advance to a Patient Care Technician.

Course Details:

• UVA is working with CATEC to provide the CNA course. Classes are taught in person at CATEC, on-line, and clinical days at a local long term care facility.
• If you do not have a computer—this is not a problem. We will help find a solution for this just let us know.
• You can expect classes to be taught on 2-3 evenings per week from 5pm-9pm. Some of these sessions are on-line or virtual. There will be several Saturday clinical days that are 7am to 3:30 pm.
• A “clinical day” is where you, your fellow trainees, and your instructor actually take care of patients in a local long term care facility.
• When your course is complete you will need to take a test and skills evaluation to receive your certification. Testing fees are paid by UVA. You can take the tests more than once if needed for success.
• The class will take about half of your work hours each week. The other half of the work hours will be at UVA. You will be on the patient care units with a preceptor to get more experience and learn more about patient care at UVA. A preceptor is someone who works with you to continue teaching you more ‘on the job.’ The goal is having you as knowledgeable and confident as we can by course completion.
• Once your course is complete you will receive an assignment for your permanent work location. Because we are a hospital—you can expect to rotate shifts, have a weekend rotation, and work some holidays.

Training Time: 9-12 months
Hiring: Ongoing

UVA Pharmacy Technician Training Program is an ASHP/ACPE accredited program. The program is to prepare current and aspiring pharmacy technicians with standardized training that meets state requirements to practice as a pharmacy technician. In addition, this program is to prepare technicians for any state or national certification exam.

Training includes: Online classroom training through Pharmacy Technician University, Experiential training in our state-of-the-art pharmacy, Preparation for passing the national certification exam. Candidates accepting a position will continue in their role as a pharmacy technician after completing the program and achieving their Virginia registration.

The program is a 424.4 hour program that can be completed within 9-12 months, however candidates have a maximum of 2 years to complete the program and pass the PTCE exam. The didactic portion of the program is completed online, is self-paced, and contains graded quizzes, unit exams, midterm, and final exam. The simulation portion of the program is observed and graded by local instructors.  The experiential portion of the program is completed at designated pharmacy sites with an assigned preceptor. 

Hours Breakdown:

• Didactic: 134.8
• Simulation: 65.6 hours
• Experiential: 224 hours        

Admission’s Requirements:

It is our goal for each student to succeed throughout the training program and into their career. To ensure the success of our students, they must meet the following minimum qualifications to enroll in the program: 

• Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent.
• Have English language and math proficiency sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the pharmacy technician job responsibilities, demonstrated by passing the TRC Reading Comprehension and Math Assessments in three attempts or less.  A minimum score of 70% is required for each assessment.
• Pass a screening pertaining to any illicit drug use and a criminal record background check.
• Comply with immunization requirements of experiential sites and employers. 
• Meet state-specific age requirements for employment of pharmacy technicians. 
• Meet state-specific requirements as regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy. 
• Meet employer-specific requirements, if applicable. 

*Note:  Any applicant needing special accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact your Program Director.

The Program Director has final approval of applicants’ qualifications for acceptance into the training program.

Contact Information: 

UVA Health Department of Pharmacy Services 
1240 Lee Street 
Charlottesville, VA 22903 

Program Director:

Timony Couturier, CPhT
Email: tan4z@uvahealth.org
Phone: 434.982.2626

Chief Pharmacy Officer:

Robert Guanci PharmD, MBA 

1. Successfully complete a VA Board of Pharmacy approved training program
2. Register and pay for the National Exam
3. Take and pass the National exam
4. Complete an online Virginia Pharmacy Technician Registration Application

Effective July 1, 2022 the Virginia Board of Pharmacy mandated that a pharmacy technician applicant must complete a pharmacy technician training program that is

1) jointly accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), or 2) an accredited training program operated through the Department of Education’s (DOE) Career and Technical Education program, or 3) a program operated through a federal agency or branch of the military, or 4) a program accredited by an accreditation body approved by the board.  Please note that the DOE has indicated that it intends to require joint accreditation through ASHP and ACPE, and to date, the Board has not approved another accreditation body.

License and Registration Requirements and Fees:

*All costs listed below are out of pocket for pharmacy technician candidates. The exam fee required for National Certification may be eligible for reimbursement through UVA Health’s tuition and education benefits (must pass exam).

Pharmacy Technician Trainees: Persons enrolled in a pharmacy technician training program must obtain a pharmacy technician trainee registration if they will be performing the duties of a pharmacy technician. Registration is valid for two years. Registration applications can be found on the Virginia Board of Pharmacy website.

Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration:

Application fee: $20

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT): The UVA Pharmacy Technician Training Program is recognized by the ASHP/ACHE. The pharmacy technician applicant will receive a diploma at the end of the program, and will then be eligible to sit for a National Exam to achieve “certified pharmacy technician” status. Two exams are recognized for board licensure; the PTCE, and the ExCPT. More information about the exams can be found below.

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
• Cost of exam: $129.00
   
• National Healthcare Organization (NHA)
• Cost of exam: $125.00

Upon passing a national exam, candidates must complete the final step of the process to practice as a pharmacy technician in Virginia. Candidates must register for a Virginia Pharmacy Technician License. Click here for more information.

Pharmacy Technician Registration:

Initial application fee: $35
Annual renewal fee: $35