New Training Center Aims to Fill Health Care Staffing Shortage in Florida’s Suncoast Region

The nonprofit organization, Suncoast Community Health Centers, has recently opened the Suncoast Career Academy in Brandon to tackle the health care staffing shortage. The new training center offers programs in pharmacy technician, medical assistant, and dental assistant. Students can enroll for both the summer and fall semesters.

As a first community health provider in Florida with its own training center, Suncoast Career Academy is one of a kind. CEO Bradley Herremans believes that providing well-trained, qualified support staff is crucial for communities to grow and strengthen from a health care perspective.

Lead Dental Assistant Alondra Gaspar expressed her gratitude for the new equipment at the training facility. As a graduate who aims to become a dental hygienist, she believes that hands-on training is essential to succeed in this industry. With a comprehensive student experience that includes job search skills like resume writing and interviewing techniques, Suncoast Career Academy aims to provide students with all they need to succeed in their careers.

According to research, there is a high demand for dental assistants and medical assistants in the health care industry. The American Dental Association reports that about 36% of private practices are looking to recruit dental assistants while a poll by the Medical Group Management Association found that 44% of practices struggle to recruit medical assistants. To address this shortage, Suncoast Career Academy provides hands-on training to students so they can meet this demand when they graduate.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy technology, medical assistance or dental assistance, enrollment is currently open for the upcoming semesters at Suncoast Career Academy.