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I was driving past Pima Medical Institute one day and noticed a sign for their EMT program. When I stopped in and my advisor told me about the Medical Assistant program, and I learned I could finish in 9 months while still working full-time, I decided it was for me. I fell in love with the MA program!
My life pretty much fell apart while I was a student at PMI. My mom was diagnosed with stage 5 renal failure and was in the hospital for months. I worked a 40-hour-a-week job during the day, attended classes in the evening, and squeezed in visits with my mom. My mom and I had shared our bills, and I couldn't keep up financially without her. I received an eviction notice and eventually lost my car. I felt like I was suffocating. During all of this, my instructors and classmates supported me, and Pima helped me with food boxes and other resources. I came to school on the night my mom died because that's where my support was. Emotionally, I could not have asked to be surrounded by a better group. Pima's amazing people - from instructors and student services to career services and front desk staff -- are the reason I kept going and didn't quit school.
I ended up being hired by my externship site, and I've now moved on to another employer, but I have to say that I just love getting up in the morning and going to work as a Medical Assistant. I've never been able to say, "I love my job!" before. I am so utterly grateful for absolutely everything Pima Medical Institute has done for me. I don't know where I would be without them. Thanks, PMI!
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After years of working manual labor out in the hot Phoenix sun, I came to Pima Medical Institute looking for a new career. When they told me about the Sterile Processing Technician program and I realized I could do behind the scenes hands-on work that was valuable to patients in the hospital. I knew I had found the right place for me.
The program was challenging, but not too difficult and my classes included a lot of hands on learning. They did a great job preparing us for what we would face at our clinics in the hospital. The process of finding a job was pretty easy. The hospital where I completed my clinicals wanted to hire me, but I had applied a number of places and when Children's Hospital offered me a position, I took it. I really enjoy my job. Each day is different as we rotate through instrument decontamination or sterilization to packaging and delivering instruments to the operating rooms.
I make way more money, I'm in the air conditioning all day and I am making a difference. Plus, I can take this skill set with me to almost any city and get a job. Once my kids are out of school, I'm considering taking some travel technician jobs and living in different parts of the country. In the meantime, I plan to continue to learn and get more certifications. I'm very happy with my new career. Thanks PMI!
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I had been a stay at home mom for almost 10 years and had 3 beautiful children when I went through a divorce. I didn't have a career and the jobs I found just didn't pay our bills. I was so discouraged! My sister kept telling me to go back to school but I just didn't see how I could go to school, work, and care for my children.
One day I heard an advertisement on the radio for Pima Medical Institute and I thought ... maybe I can do it. I found the people at PMI to be so helpful and understanding. I knew it would be a difficult 9 months and I'd be putting in 20 hour days 3-4 times a week, but I also knew if I sacrificed now, it would mean a better future for my kids. So, I started the Medical Assistant program. It was tough and I was often exhausted. But I kept reminding myself and my kids why we were doing this. One day in the car my son held up my stethoscope and said, "Mom, you did this for us!" It was one of the best moments!
I'm so grateful for all the people at PMI - they were like family to me. Now I have a career in the medical field and a fantastic job with so much potential. Most of all I can provide for my children and they are SO proud of me! THANK YOU PMI!
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I've always been interested in sports and even considered becoming an orthopedic surgeon, but having kids at a young age derailed my plan As a stay at home mom while working part-time, I decided it was time to pursue a career that I could take with me as the military moved our family. I found Pima Medical Institute and discovered they were launching a brand new Physical Therapist Assistant program. I knew immediately this was for me. I really enjoyed interacting with my classmates and they became like family. My instructors were great and so knowledgeable!
After graduation, the military moved us to Colorado Springs. I took my boards and ended up achieving a perfect score on my exam! One of my clinical rotations had been in vestibular and balance. Colorado Sport and Spine was seeking someone to work with their vestibular therapist. Since I had experience, I was hired over all the other applicants. I love my job and I have great coworkers and mentors.
The physical therapists I work under are hugely into the betterment of our profession and encouraged me to get my bachelor's degree. I enrolled in PMI's online PTA bachelor program almost immediately. I was motivated to tackle it while I was still in student mode, plus I didn't want to wait 10 years until it might become mandatory. The online program was very good and I appreciated that my classmates and I were able to tailor our online experience to fit our day to day job. I had a wonderful experience at PMI and have nothing but good things to say about both programs.
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I had braces when I was younger and my dream was always to go into dentistry. But life took its turns; I started college and then put it on hold and worked. A couple years ago my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer so I quit my job and cared for him for the last 7 months of his life. He single handedly raised my brother and I. Losing him was the most difficult thing I've ever faced! My dad left a little money, and I decided it was time to follow my dream. I researched, found PMI, and signed up for their Dental Assistant program. I was one of the oldest students in my class. I knew I would have to give it my all. I felt like my dad was watching me, and I wanted to make him proud.
My instructor was the most wonderful person! She was understanding and fair. She went out of her way to help me, including coming to work early to tutor me. She encouraged me to get my NELDA certification. That was really tough, but I did it! I knew I needed a job so after researching clinics; I personally dropped off my resume at 18 different locations. I had 8 call backs and several places offered me a position. When my externship site found out I'd been offered jobs, they wanted me to stay and offered me a higher starting pay to accept their position.
I just love my job! It's a wonderful place to work and our team is like family. I'm so thankful for PMI. My instructor was not only smart and caring, she was my stronghold. My success is due to her. Thanks PMI! I love my new career!
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I am currently a Research Technician for two different labs in Tucson. One lab does stem cell research with rats, and the other does neuroscience research for autism. I am in the process of being trained to conduct rodent heart surgeries. I really enjoy being able to work with animals and, in the process, help researchers help humans.
Before my time with PMI, I worked at the airport for TSA, but I just wasn't happy. I had always dreamed of working in the medical field, and I love animals, so I combined the two and found the Veterinary Technician program at Pima Medical Institute.
The instructors were great, the program was quick, and it taught me exactly what I needed to know. The VA portion taught basic knowledge, and the VT program refined that knowledge and gave us the hands-on experience we needed. I enjoyed the program, but when we reached the lab sciences, my interest was piqued!
After graduation, I worked in a general practice for a while, but it just wasn't for me. I found a position as an Animal Technician at the University of Arizona where I worked with rodents, swine, sheep and monkeys. While there, I became more interested in the research and was able to care for, observe, and report animal responses to investigators.
I wouldn't be able to do the job I now love without the excellent training I received in the VT program. PMI's program prepared me beyond what I ever expected!
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I am a Veterinary Technician in the internal medicine department at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson. We are a state-of-the-art specialty facility that offers CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, full surgical procedures, dental procedures, and even, physical therapy for your pets.
After a wonderful 20 year career in the Air Force, I decided upon retirement I wanted to do something I loved! So, 6 months before I retired I began planning and checking out Pima Medical Institute's VT program where I might fulfill my dream of working with animals.
Going back to school was scary. I'd completed an online bachelor's degree while in the military, but the thought of being in a classroom next to my peers and having an instructor stand in front of me, almost caused me not to follow my dreams. But, I decided to go for it and it was amazing! The instructors were so helpful and didn't treat me like the oldest student in the room. They were always available for questions or special tutoring. All of the hands on experience made me feel confident and really prepared. I had other choices for VT programs, but I certainly chose the best one coming to PMI!
I was fortunate to be placed at VSCT for my externship. I worked really hard during my time as a student and they offered me a position. This has been a dream job and I love waking up and coming to work every day! Thanks PMI!
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My whole life it was my dream to work in a career that took advantage of my love for science, my love for helping others, and my biggest passion, caring for animals! So, at a very young age I set my mind on becoming a veterinarian. But unfortunately, school didn't come easy, I struggled with learning difficulties, and people told me I would never reach my goal.
I let go of my veterinary dream, found Pima Medical Institute and decided to pursue becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. While talking with my admissions advisor at PMI, I mentioned my past dream of working with animals. My advisor encouraged me to follow my heart and my love for animals and showed me the new Veterinary Technician lab. I left feeling confused. Almost a year later I heard a song about following your dreams and it really moved me. The next day I told my family I was going to PMI to follow my dreams. Within a week I was signed up for the VT program and I started a month later.
I fell in love with PMI! My instructors cared about us students like family. I have a whole new confidence to follow my heart. I have made lifelong friends and have found a job where I feel like a success. I learned so much while at PMI but of all the things I learned, the most important one was to believe in yourself! Thank you PMI - I truly don't know where I would be without you!
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I once dreamt of a high power job working on the top floor of a sky scraper. I graduated with my bachelor's and obtained a good position with a fortune 500 company where I learned valuable information, but felt unfulfilled. I had a desire to help people and make a difference, so when my mother suggested looking into occupational therapy I jumped in feet first.
I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant program because their accelerated curriculum, class schedule and location fit my needs. My experience was quite different than my bachelor's had been, in that the instructors had on-the-job experience and there was significantly more hands-on learning. As students, we were encouraged to become involved in the OT community and I continue to play an active role by holding board positions and sitting on ad hoc committees in our state associations. Through networking, I received a position in subacute rehabilitation and worked my way into management.
Currently, I am an OTA instructor back at the PMI campus where I once attended. It wasn't that long ago I sat in those same chairs and, consequently, I understand the challenges and pressures my students face. I didn't just find a job; I found a profession and a career I am proud of and extremely happy to support on a daily basis. I am thankful to PMI for the education I received and now for the opportunity to continue to educate others in the OTA profession. I'm not in a sky scraper (although my office is on the 5th floor) but I love my job!
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While researching a career as a radiation therapist, I learned I first needed to complete my associate's in Radiography. I found Pima Medical Institute and was so impressed in my interview with the program director that I enrolled in their Radiography program. It's funny because I already had a bachelor's and was working on my master's, but it didn't matter because I had a goal.
As an older student somewhat terrified to return to school again, I appreciated the instructors and the personal attention they were able to give to our smaller classes. The program was very focused, and I never felt like my time was being wasted. At the time I graduated, there was quite a need for radiography technicians, so I chose a job at a hospital that would completely reimburse my PMI tuition. It was a wonderful job, and I made many lifelong friends, but after 2 years, that same PMI program director pursued me to come teach at PMI.
I was surprised to learn that I loved teaching! It felt like it was what I was meant to do. The satisfaction I felt helping patients morphed into the satisfaction I had in seeing my students become colleagues after they graduated. A few years into that role, I had the opportunity to become the clinical director, and after 10 years, I was promoted to faculty coordinator. Pima Medical Institute is my home. I love everything about working for this company, and I could not be happier!
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My name is Kari Allen and I recently graduated with my Doctorate in Pharmacy and am currently in my residency at John Hopkins Hospital. I plan to pursue a second year of specialty residency in either pediatric or emergency medicine, and ultimately work as a clinical pharmacist in an academic teaching hospital and it all started at Pima Medical Institute.
After completing my bachelor degree, I was looking for a place to get training and experience in the medical field. I had a friend who was doing well as a pharmacy technician and, after researching Pima Medical Institute, I felt like their program would meet my needs. The Pharmacy Technician program was not easy. It was a challenge balancing my full-time daily work schedule and my classes each evening from 5 - 9 pm. However, I made some great friends and we helped each other learn the new terms, medications and mechanics of working in a pharmacy. Not only did PMI give me my knowledge of pharmacy, it sparked a genuine interest in my field, thanks to the encouragement of my instructors. The foundation of hands-on skills has helped me progress through my career and continues to be one of the biggest assets I bring into any job.
My externship site offered me my first job upon completion. I held several pharmacy positions and after a year and a half I was promoted to pharmacy technician supervisor, where I worked until I began pharmacy school. I would absolutely recommend PMI to anyone new to the medical profession, and would especially recommend the pharmacy instructors! Thank you PMI, for my start in the healthcare field!
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Way back in the early 90's I was a single mom, tired of working clerical jobs. I became interested in a career in the medical field. I discovered Pima Medical Institute, was excited about a short, nine month Medical Assistant program, and I enrolled. I don't recall much about my classes back then, but they gave me my start in the medical field.
I obtained my first MA position working for the internal medical doctor with whom I had done my externship. While there, I also helped train other PMI extern MA students. After three years, I remarried and had two kids. While at PMI, I had enjoyed the medical transcription piece, so I obtained a transcription certificate which enabled me to work from home and raise my family.
Years later, I relocated to New Hampshire and was hired at a doctor's office as their medical transcriptionist. Eventually, I enrolled in a nursing program and received my LPN. I am currently in school to become an RN, and I work for two traveling nursing agencies. It is such a great fit for me! I switch assignments every 13 weeks, there are plenty of jobs in my area, and I never get bored, I continue to learn, and I have a very lucrative salary.
I love being a nurse at 54! I encourage every Medical Assistant I work with to continue their education. Pima Medical Institute gave me my start, and I used it as a stepping stone to find a career in the medical field that fits my lifestyle.
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