Altierus Career College-Tampa and Ultimate Medical Academy-Clearwater Partner to Provide On-Ramps to Nursing Careers

TAMPA, Fla.–Altierus Career College-Tampa and Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), Clearwater, today announced a new partnership designed to help fill gaps in the nursing workforce. Through this partnership, students that complete the medical assisting or patient care technician program at UMA will receive transfer credit to enter the Nursing Associate of Science program at Altierus, ultimately reducing tuition cost and potentially shortening the time to graduate.

Currently, there is an increase in open positions in the healthcare field in the Tampa area, fueled by the coronavirus pandemic. Altierus and UMA hope to address the shortages by providing a pipeline of skilled workers for these essential jobs.

“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented solutions, and we believe that by partnering with a school that is likeminded in their approach to educating the next generation of healthcare workers, we can work in tandem while connecting learners to fulfilling, in-demand jobs,” said Tim Dengler, campus director at Altierus-Tampa. “UMA is a cultural fit for us with their dedication to supporting students through their educational journey and providing them with opportunities to further expand their skillset while reaching their professional goals.”

Altierus and UMA have experienced continued interest in their respective healthcare programs throughout the pandemic, and agree that the skills gap is best addressed by working together through this unique partnership. UMA Clearwater’s medical assisting program is designed to be completed in 15 months and its patient care technician program is designed to be completed in 12 months. While both UMA programs prepare students for in-demand healthcare careers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/), eligible graduates of these programs may continue their education in nursing through the Altierus ASN program, which prepares students for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN). Students who successfully complete the training and exam can pursue a career as registered nurses (RN).

“These past months have highlighted the need for skilled healthcare workers at a variety of levels,” said Dr. Rebecca Sarlo, Associate Vice President and Campus Director for Ultimate Medical Academy, Clearwater. “Partnering with Altierus makes sense because of our shared focus on skill-based learning and our goals to meet the needs of both students and employers, as well as the residents of our surrounding communities.”

About Altierus Career College
Guided by nonprofit values, Altierus Career College holistically prepares students to forge new career paths. Its all-inclusive approach includes technology-enabled coursework that meets the current day needs of employers; hands-on training in real-world environments; integrated professional skills development; and comprehensive support throughout the student journey. Current locations include Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia. Altierus is part of ECMC Education, a nonprofit career and technical education provider that delivers holistic educational experiences that improve student outcomes. For more information, visit www.altierus.edu.

About Ultimate Medical Academy
Founded in 1994 and based in Tampa, Florida, UMA is an accredited, nonprofit educational institution that equips and empowers students to do the vital work of healthcare by offering hands-on learning at its main campus in Clearwater, Florida, as well as content-rich, interactive programs through its online campus. The institution supports students through every step of their journey with access to academic support, interview and resume coaching, job search assistance, technical support and more. UMA is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES, www.ABHES.org). Learn more by visiting https://www.ultimatemedical.edu/.