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Community Health Center, Inc. and the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement Celebrate One of the First Medical Assistants in Connecticut to Administer Vaccinations

The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) and its founding externship partner Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) are pleased to announce that UpSkill NIMAA student and CHC Medical Assistant Stephanie Williams is one of the first MAs in Connecticut to administer a vaccination.

Connecticut Medical Assistants became eligible to vaccinate effective October 1, 2022, after they have completed 24 hours of formal classroom training and 8 hours of in-clinic practice. Connecticut was one of few states where MAs were not eligible to vaccinate.

Williams completed her formal classroom training with the virtual UpSkill NIMAA Immunizations for New Vaccinators course and in-clinic training by CHC at the Meriden location. Williams vaccinated her first patient on Friday, January 20.

“I feel honored,” said Williams regarding her status as one of the first vaccinating Medical Assistants in the state. “This is a great opportunity for MAs in Connecticut. It is something different than we are used to and that is always very exciting to me.”

Community Health Center, Inc. Chief Nursing Officer Mary Blankson states, “I have been testifying for various bills over the years, and am thrilled that medical assistants are now able to vaccinate much like their colleagues in 48 other states. This will truly benefit our whole team—not just the MAs being able to practice at their full training, but their nurse colleagues who now will hopefully have more time to engage in chronic disease management, triage, and other care that can only be performed by licensed staff. This is a big win for team-based care in CT!”

“We are extremely excited for Ms. Williams and all Medical Assistants working towards recertification for vaccinations,” says NIMAA Chief Executive Officer Elena Thomas Faulkner. “With this long-awaited change in policy, NIMAA saw a need and a solution that tied in perfectly with our existing UpSkill NIMAA programming. NIMAA looks forward to helping many more Medical Assistants achieve eligibility to vaccinate.”

UpSkill NIMAA was designed to provide practicing Medical Assistants with next level-training and expertise to excel in high-performing primary care teams. Participants learn at their own pace through an online platform that is user-friendly, secure and HIPAA Compliant. 

To learn more about UpSkill NIMAA, visit: nimaa.edu/upskill.