Ready, Set, Skill!! Bridging Training Gaps One Fair at a Time

The Central Coast clinics face unique challenges when it comes to validating the skills of newly hired medical assistants (MAs). With our standard ambulatory care day 2 skills validation sessions held at the Westwood campus—approximately 170 miles from the farthest clinic and 60 miles from the closest—many new hires struggle to attend, leading to gaps in hands-on training. Additionally, finding qualified candidates from accredited programs has been an ongoing issue, with many new staff lacking experience or phlebotomy certification, further complicating their onboarding process.
The solution: a 3-day, immersive skills fair: To bridge this training gap and ensure new hires are set up for success, ambulatory care nursing has organized a specialized 3-day skills fair tailored specifically for the Central Coast clinics. This hands-on event features dedicated competency stations covering critical skills such as phlebotomy and specimen collection, medication administration, emergency management, rooming-in and vital signs, point-of-care testing, 12-lead EKG and ear lavage, oxygen administration, nebulized medication and peak flow measurement, audiometry and vision screening, and procedure tray set-up. Each station is led by experienced RN practice coordinators providing real-time guidance and feedback. This interactive format allows staff to build confidence and proficiency in a supportive environment, ensuring they meet the necessary clinical standards.
A collaborative effort supported by leadership: The skills fair is backed by clinic leadership, who recognize the need for a localized, standardized approach to training. By bringing this event directly to the Central Coast, we reduce travel barriers, accelerate onboarding, and enhance patient safety.
Looking ahead: creating a sustainable solution: Ambulatory care nursing is actively exploring long-term strategies to ensure ongoing skills validation for new hires, including leveraging technology: remote assessments and virtual skills training; dedicated support: assigning an RN practice coordinator specifically for the Central Coast region; and consistent training opportunities: offering skills fairs on a more regular basis to maintain a high level of staff competency.
Impact: empowering our staff, enhancing patient care: The Central Coast Clinics skills fair is more than just a training event; it's a commitment to support our new hires, enhance their clinical skills, and ensure the highest quality of patient care. Through this collaborative effort, we’re setting the stage for long-term improvements in staff development, competency validation, and retention across the region.