Futuro Health addresses the skills gap among health care workers and trains people for the jobs that employers need to fill. Futuro Health will partner with accredited institutions to provide education pathways to ensure students build their technical skills. In addition, experienced health care workers will coach and mentor Futuro Health students during the learning process and help them practice the ‘people’ skills especially important to the future of care.

Given the enormity of the allied health workforce shortage, Futuro Health will complement, not replace, the efforts of community colleges. Community colleges offer excellent allied health training programs at affordable prices. Futuro Health will work with accredited higher education institutions like Western Governors University and others to expand the number of skilled workers being produced for in-demand occupations. Additional partnerships are in the work, including ones with community colleges and other entities.

As part of a labor agreement reached in October of 2019 between Kaiser Permanente and SEIU-UHW, Futuro Health was established with an initial $130 million commitment. Futuro Health will use the $130 million to deliver a new education-to-work model that supports candidates through career exploration and coaching, education financing, and targeted education-to-work pathways towards their credential or licensure attainment. Based on the success of the program, it could continue beyond 2024 with additional investors.

Participation with Futuro Health is not a guarantee of employment with Kaiser Permanente or any other health care provider. However, those who complete a pathway will be supported to gain employment and are expected to work for multiple years in order to practice their skills.

Timing depends on the pacing of the student and which education pathway they are on. Some education pathways average 3-6 months while others take 18-24 months. Once accepted as a student, participants are encouraged to move through their curricular pathway as fast as they are able to obtain their industry-valued credential/license and be ready for the job placement process.

Futuro Health recognizes that health care providers must be able to adapt to the needs of their industry and hence they use staffing agencies to source workers. Futuro Health is a new education-to-work model intent on bringing resources at scale to help students and workers keep pace with their industry. Futuro Health supports candidates through career exploration and coaching, education financing, and targeted education-to-work pathways towards their credential or licensure attainment. Futuro Health will grow a quality workforce valued by any staffing agency.

Those who are interested in health care careers are invited to subscribe to the mailing list. Subscribers will also be notified when recruiting opens.

Eligibility will depend on the recruitment criteria set by each education pathway and tailored to the career. Additional criteria will be established should there be more qualified candidates than space.

Currently, the program serves people in California. The shortage of health care workers is most severe in California, with approximately 500,000 positions needing to be filled across all of health care by 2024. Although the initial focus will be on California, Futuro Health’s footprint will eventually include other states.

Futuro Health’s executive leadership and Board of Directors includes trailblazers from health care, education and labor.

Van Ton-Quinlivan, Futuro Health’s chief executive officer, is a nationally recognized thought leader in workforce development with a proven record for guiding and implementing large organizational change while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. Her distinguished career spans the public, private and non-profit sectors.

On November 1, 2019, Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions established a four-year collective bargaining agreement that runs through September 30, 2023. Following ratification of this new labor agreement, Futuro Health was established by Kaiser Permanente and SEIU-UHW to improve the health and wealth of communities by investing in allied health education and skills training and retraining.

Futuro Health is a nonprofit organization that will help meet the growing demand for allied health care workers in California by recruiting and training 10,000 people by 2024. The organization is a joint commitment by Kaiser Permanente and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW).

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is doing outreach to scout and recruit candidates for Futuro Health. In addition, as you progress through your educational journey, you may be matched for mentorship with a SEIU-UHW member — someone who is already employed in the allied health field and can help you navigate your career.  This is a unique benefit that sets Futuro Health apart and is intended to help you grown your professional network of employment opportunities. Learn More

Futuro Health has success coaches available to guide you along your educational journey. Learn More.

Futuro Health offers the prerequisite courses you need to ensure you have a strong foundation for allied health careers. Learn more about our Jump Start Courses and English Readiness Courses

You should expect that our educational partners will require you to pass a drug test before starting school or sometime during your educational journey, and that all employers will require you to pass a drug test before starting work.

Yes, all students will need regular access to a computer and high-speed internet. Your computer will need at least a 2GHz processor or faster, 4 GB RAM or more, built-in or external speakers, USB 2.0 port or adaptor, a webcam supported operating system, Windows 7 or higher, or MacOS Sierra 10.12 or higher.

After successfully completing the Medical Assistant Program, you will be required to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Certification Exam offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), depending on your assigned education partner. Results of the certification exam offer proof to employers that you have achieved the highest standards of education and credentialing in the field.

Some medical assistant programs include a phlebotomy component that prepares you for:

• National Phlebotomy Certification (NCPT) offered through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).
• Licensure by a California Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT1) licensing agency.

A career as a Medical Assistant is often a stepping-stone to other healthcare careers.  With additional coursework, Certified Medical Assistants can move up the ladder to become a Care Coordinator, Licensed Vocational Nurse or Registered Nurse.  If you prefer the administrative side of healthcare, you may seek to advance your career as an Office Manager.

Learn more about our Jump Start Courses and English Readiness Courses.

Medical assistant students are required to complete two courses  — an introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for healthcare and Medical Terminology. Anatomy and Physiology must have been taken at an accredited college with a (C ) grade or better within the last 5 years.  Medical Terminology must have been taken any time in the past, from any institution, with a (C ) grade or better.  Candidates will be asked to provide a transcript at a later point.

Futuro Health also provides English Readiness courses designed to prepare students for careers in allied health. Depending on your language skills, these courses may be helpful to you.  While completing your profile in the Futuro Health Portal, if you indicated that English is not the primary language spoken in your home, you will be asked to complete a short set of questions to determine your eligibility for English Readiness.

The course work for the Medical Assistant program is an online hybrid including a weekly on campus laboratory. Some education providers offer an opportunity for on-campus course work.

The coursework of the Medical Assistant Program is designed to be completed in 8-11 months depending on the education provider. The program also includes hands-on learning through the clinical/externship experience, which accounts for 4-6 weeks.

Applicants must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED by summer 2020, reside in California and be eligible to work in the United States.

Earning a certificate in the Care Coordinator Program is a great way to advance your career.  The coursework is transferable for academic credit if you are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Coordination. The certificate also provides flexible upskilling opportunities for existing Healthcare credentialed workers (see minimum qualifications).

There are no pre-requisite courses for the program.

The Care Coordinator Program is offered on-line in an asynchronous format, self-directed learning .

Students typically complete their coursework in 6 months but have up to 12 months to complete the course if necessary.

This is a self-paced course that can take between three and six months to complete.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, these courses will be offered to you before you enroll in any of the Futuro Health Allied Health programs.

Candidate must complete evaluation of language skills when developing their student profile. There are no academic prerequisites required

Students who do not pass a program or course will not be eligible to retake the program or course.   In addition, students who do not pass are ineligible to take future allied health programs or courses offered through Futuro Health.

The courses are taken sequentially.

4 weeks.

Each course is 4 weeks long for a total of 8 weeks.

Students must complete a course in medical terminology with a grade of “C” or better before being eligible for the Medical Assistant Programs. If you have previously completed this course and received a grade of “C” or better, you will not need to re-take this course. You will need to submit an unofficial transcript to prove course completion during the application process.

Medical Assistant students are required to complete an Introduction to Human Body.  If you have previously completed this course, they must have been taken at an accredited college with a (C ) grade or better within the last 5 years.  Candidates will be asked to provide a transcript at a later point.

Your costs will vary depending on your educational goal and which course(s) or program you select. 

Known costs include: 

Registration fee:  $50 per course; $100 per program  

• Waived in 2020 for English Readiness for Allied Health (Spanish) 
• Waived in 2020 for Pandemic Readiness for LVN/LPNs 
• Waived in 2020 for COVID-19 Readiness for Healthcare Workers and First Responders 

Monthly membership for education and training:  $20 per month 

• Waived in 2020 for Pandemic Readiness for LVN/LPNs 
• Waived in 2020 for COVID-19 Readiness for Healthcare Workers and First Responders 

Tuition and student support fee:  Futuro Health is prepaying the cost of tuition and student supports for all students.  For some programs, repayment will be required following employment based on income level.  Futuro Health is working with its partners to design affordable financing repayment options. 

• Waived in 2020 for English Readiness for Allied Health (Spanish)  
• Waived in 2020 for English Readiness for Medical Assistant (Spanish) 
• Waived in 2020 for Jump Start into Medical Assistant  
• Waived in 2020 for Medical Assistant Program for those referred by SEIU-UHW members
• Waived in 2020 for Pandemic Readiness for LVN/LPNs 
• Waived in 2020 for COVID-19 Readiness for Healthcare Workers and First Responders 

Books and incidentals:  Varies depending on the education provider 

This program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation.

Futuro Health is committed to placing up to 1000 candidates from across California into medical assistant programs this year. We have identified a wide variety of top-notch education partners across the state that offer high quality programs, including Bay Area Medical Academy, MTI College, Pima Medical Institute, Merced College, Santa Barbara Community College, Western Governor’s University, Concorde Career Colleges, Inc. and North-West College. Each school will offer coursework online with required in-person skills labs and externships.

We operate on a rolling admissions basis, which means there are start dates at each school throughout the year. Some programs start monthly, while others start at the beginning of a semester. Here is how our admissions process works:
– We evaluate your application against all program requirements
– We match you with an education partner close to your home that has space available
– We ensure there are lab space and externship opportunities available within commuting distance of your home

As courses you are eligible for become available, you will be contacted by a Futuro Health Navigator by email and/or phone who will walk you through the next steps to complete your enrollment. It will be important that you respond to them promptly to ensure you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

The learning outcomes set for the Medical Assistant program include:

1. Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures according to current office protocol.
2. Perform and document routine administrative procedures according to current office protocol.
3. Collect, process, and test diagnostic specimens.
4. Maintain industry standards of quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
5. Uphold legal and ethical standards and confidentiality for patient privacy.
6. Effectively apply verbal, nonverbal, and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
7. Demonstrate professionalism through acceptable attitude, organization and time-management skills, and attire.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the course materials for successful completion of the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam to earn your professional certification.

As a medical assistant, there are many opportunities for you to advance in your career, including moving up into the following roles:

• Lead medical assistant
• Clinical office manager
• Case management assistant
• Medical assistant instructor
• Medical records manager
• Healthcare administration
• Executive medical office secretary
• Transcription supervisor
• Licensed vocational nurse (LVN/LPN)
• Registered nurse (RN)

The English Readiness for Allied Health course is 100% online.

You have the option to join SEIU-UHW’s Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. There is a $20 per month fee if interested, waived for current SEIU-UHW members. Please note that there are additional costs associated with this courses that are waived for the year 2021. For more details visit our FAQ page and select the “Cost” tab.

IT Help Desk Technician, Service Desk Agent

The learning outcomes for the Health IT specialist area as follows:

After completing the Health IT Specialist program, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare system as it related to IT support
2. Describe the common roles played by IT support staff in healthcare
3. Identify at least 5 different healthcare settings in with IT support staff work
4. List the common tools and technologies used in healthcare delivery
5. Identify the types of healthcare professionals you will be supporting
6. Ensure timely issue resolution and escalations including the deployment, configuration, maintenance, and repair support for connectivity, access, application/service, operating system, and related hardware requests within established standards and guidelines
7. Interact with numerous technology platforms and solutions in a diverse client environment
8. Maintain logical and physical networks containing HPE, Dell, VMware, Meraki, and APC devices
9. Provide support of Microsoft products that include AD account management, Office 365 products, Office Suite, and Microsoft Teams
10. Analyze infrastructure monitoring alerts and takes corrective actions, as necessary
11. Ensure that monitoring alert response and completion times are minimized
12. Work with Client associated vendors to resolve technical issues with supported hardware and applications on Network Administration, Hardware Support, and Connectivity
13. Implement established project plans within a team
14. Deploy technology in a server room
15. Determine technical solutions for business needs based on End User requests while onsite
16. Support the hardware and software tools for end users in a healthcare system including workstation equipment, windows operating systems, software applications, printers, peripheral devices, tablets, mobile phones, clinical bar code readers, electronic signature devices, cameras, network devices
17. Prepare IT individuals that will stand out in the Health IT application process

The program will begin on 11/16/2020 with monthly start dates to follow.

If you have questions about a program or the enrollment process, please contact help@futurohealth.org.

The Cost of the program is $335 and is being waived for 2021.

Non-refundable registration fee: $100 per program

You have the option to join SEIU-UHW’s Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. There is a $20 per month fee if interested, waived for current SEIU-UHW members.

Note:  This membership is waived for SEIU-UHW members.

• 18 years of age or older
• Have the ability to work in the U.S.
• Be a California resident
• Have no felony conviction on record
• High school diploma or GED certificate
• Be computer and internet proficient
• Have home access to reliable high-speed internet
• Have a working computer less than 7 years old
• Be willing to commit 3 hours per day (estimated at 15 hours per week) of study time

• Attention to detail, organized
• Problem solving capabilities
• Experience setting up a home network
• Experience installing computer hardware
• Experience installing computer software
• Experience helping people fix technology related issues
• Experience with operating systems:
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Linux
  • MAC OS
  • Android/iOS
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply
• Be referred by a member of SEIU-UHW who is in good standing (if you are not already a member of SEIU-UHW.

The length of the program is 5-7 months.

The Health IT Specialist program is 100% online, asynchronous format with self-directed learning.

There are no courses that need to be completed prior to enrollment in the Program.

Once the course is passed, the student will receive Google IT Support certificate and will be eligible to take the Comp TIA A+ Certification exam. 

The Comp- TIA A+ Google Certification consists of two exams. Exam 1 content is spread across 5 different domains and each domain is weighted differently. They include:

1. Mobile Devices 14%
2. Networking 20%
3. Hardware 27%
4. Virtualization and Cloud Computing 12%
5. Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 27%

Exam 2 content) covers 4 different domains and each domain is also weighted differently. They include:

1. Operating Systems 27%
2. Security 24%
3. Software Troubleshooting 26%
4. Operational Procedures 23% 

Yes, all students will need regular access to a computer and high-speed internet. Your computer will need at least a 2GHz processor or faster, 4 GB RAM or more, built-in or external speakers, USB 2.0 port or adaptor, a webcam supported operating system, Windows 7 or higher, or MacOS Sierra 10.12 or higher.

Students will need to log on to the course weekly and the average study time is 3 hours per day.

The cost of the program is $3000 and is waived for 2021

Registration fee: $100 which is nonrefundable 

You have the option to join SEIU-UHW’s Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. There is a $20 per month fee if interested, waived for current SEIU-UHW members.

Have 3+ years of experience in your current/recent health role and a valid healthcare license or credential.  Example roles that can benefit from this upskilling include:
LVNs or MAs, LVN leads or trainers, MA lead or trainers, counselors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, optometry techs, pharmacy techs, dieticians/nutritionists, dental hygienist, community health worker, and other clinical roles with responsibility for coordinating or administering healthcare

• The ability to work in the U.S
• Be a California resident
• Have no felony conviction on record
• Be computer and internet proficient
• Have home access to reliable high-speed internet
• Have a working computer less than 7 years old
• Be willing to commit 3-4 hours per day (estimated at 20+ hours per week) of study time
• Be willing to certify High School Diploma/GED and Healthcare credential

• Strong attention to detail
• Be referred by a member of SEIU-UHW who is in good standing (if you are not already a member of SEIU-UHW)
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply

To be most successful in the Care Coordinator Program we recommend 3-4 hours per day of study.

All employers will require you to pass a drug test before starting employment.

Please visit the Futuro Health training catalog for the current list of program and course offerings.

Profile information such as your name, address, and phone number can be updated in the Futuro Health portal by selecting the “My profile” icon in the upper right-hand corner.

There are two ways to update your email address in the Futuro Health portal. Begin by selecting the “My profile” icon in the upper right-hand corner. On this page you can select “Verify E-mail” or “Update Profile Information”. On each page you will see an option to update your email address. Once you have entered your desired email you will select “Update E-mail Address”.

Updating E-mail Address, step-by-step guide: Watch Video

Candidates are allowed to update their survey and responses if necessary. We encourage students to select the responses that truly depict their current skill level and background on the first attempt. However, we understand that circumstances may change calling for the survey(s) to be updated.

Candidates can view and update their survey responses by selecting the “Skills & Assessments” option on the portal home page.

Updating Survey Responses, step-by-step guide: Watch Video

Optional surveys will help Futuro Health learn more about you. Completing these surveys help strengthen your profile and aid in determining which program is the best fit for you.

To delete your Futuro Health profile, send a request to help@futurohealth.org

Please visit our Privacy page to learn about Futuro Health’s Privacy Policy.

If you are experiencing technical issues in the Futuro Health Portal, please contact help@futurohealth.org

The Human Touch Healthcare program is a self-paced (asynchronous) and instructor-led (synchronous) immersive training course that provides learners with the essential interpersonal skills to become an excellent allied health care professional. Through this course, participants will participate in interactive learning sessions, web-based content, videos demonstrations, journaling, assessments, and cohort-based live instruction that ensures transformative learning of each competency. The course includes the following competencies: (1) Empathy & Compassion in Healthcare, (2) Cultural Competence, (3) Effective Communication, (4) Emotional Intelligence, (5) Teamwork & Collaboration, and (6) Ethics & Integrity. Upon completion of each module, students will perform learning assessments and earn digital badges demonstrating mastery of each competency.

The course is free to those enrolled in a Medical Assistant Program.

The course is 25 weeks during your enrollment inn the medical assistant program.

The course is online, self-directed (asynchronous) and live (synchronous) learning that includes web-based modules, immersive learning activities, videos, self-reflection, and interactive live cohort-based learning sessions.

There are no prerequisites required for this course.

Students must be enrolled in the Medical Assistant Program.

There are no preferred qualifications.

Digital badges will be awarded for each of the six competencies with an end-of course digital badge for program completion.

Students will spend 90 minutes per week completing the coursework.

Student support will be available to students through their Futuro Health Navigator.

In recognition of the impact of the pandemic on our communities, Futuro Health is waiving tuition for all programs and courses in 2021. Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update this practice at any time.

Specific to those accepted into the Medical Assistant Program, tuition will be waived — for the program itself as well as pre-requisites including the Jump Start courses and English Readiness for Allied Health — as long as the student begins his/her educational journey in 2021.

Students should expect to pay a non-refundable registration fee.

Student can expect some minimal out-of-pocket cost associated with the application and enrollment process, e.g., background check, drug screen, and others.

A summary of the cost to the student is as follow:

• One-time Futuro Health enrollment fee(s): $50 application fee for the Jump Start pre-requisite courses to Medical Assistant Program; $100 application fee for the Medical Assistant Program.
• You have the option to join SEIU-UHW’s Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. There is a $20 per month fee if interested, waived for current SEIU-UHW members.
• One-time background check and drug screen, which is required for those enrolling in clinical programs: $77-$119.
• Immunizations: Up-to-date immunizations are required for those enrolling in clinical programs. Some healthcare providers require payment for immunizations while for others these fees may be covered by insurance.

The CompTIA A+ certification has been described as an “entry-level rite of passage for IT technicians,” and for a good reason. This certification is designed for folks seeking a career as a help desk, support, service center or networking technician. Once achieved, Comp TIA A+ certification mut be maintained as certification will expire every 3 years. Continuing education units will be required to recertify.

The certification exam is included in the Health IT Specialist program cost. Please review the Student Cost section of the Health IT Specialist catalog page for more information here.

To gain A+ certification, students will need to pass two exams: CompTIA A+ Core 1 and CompTIA A+ Core 2. Futuro sponsors the exam fees for the first time a student takes both the A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exams. If a student fails either of the exams the first time, Futuro will pay for one retake for each of the two exams. Our partner, SynED, will manage distribution of exam vouchers and work with students through the process of gaining certification.

The Health IT Specialist program is offered through Coursera and will be completed via their online platform.

Yes, CompTIA is an international vendor-neutral credential that validates skill and competency of professionals from entry-level to expert. This certification covers knowledge required for IT technical professional, risk analyst to deploy and support healthcare IT systems, cryptography, configuring and operating basic network infrastructure, and much more.

Over one million CompTIA A+ certificates have been awarded thus far, and CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ qualifications are recognized by employers worldwide.

Candidates that have previously completed a medical assistant program from an accredited education provider are not eligible to participate in the Futuro Health Medical Assistant program.

Watch a self help video here.

Externships will be located within a reasonable comminuting distance.

Students enrolling at Concorde Career College will need to complete a FAFSA form. If there are extraordinary circumstances where a student is unable to complete the form, the student is required to submit an appeal to their Futuro Health navigator for review by Futuro Health. Students will be notified by Futuro Health if their appeal was granted. If the appeal is denied, students will have the option of being geolocated to another education provider.

Students participating in the Jump Start courses will need to wait approximately 30 days after completing their final Jump Start course before enrolling in their Medical Assisting program.*
*Students attending Western Governors University (WGU) will need to wait approximately 60 days after completing their final Jump Start course before enrolling in their Medical Assisting program.

In recognition of the impact of the pandemic on our communities, Futuro Health is waiving tuition for all programs and courses at this time. Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update this practice at any time.

Specific to those accepted into the Dental Assistant Program, tuition will be waived. Students should expect to pay a non-refundable registration fee and a $20 per month membership for education and training as part of the application process, unless specifically waived for current SEIU-UHW members or otherwise.

A summary of the cost to the student is as follow:

• One-time Futuro Health enrollment fee(s): $100 application fee for the Dental Assistant Program.
• Membership fee for education and training: $20 per month for access to a statewide network of healthcare workers who will advise you about your career and studies.

Payments are generally live 24-48 hours after selecting a program start date. You will receive an email alerting you that a payment is available. Watch a self help video on how to make your payments here

Students may reapply for a new program at Futuro Health 3 years after their completion date. *Exceptions may be made for select upskilling certificates

Students can reapply for consideration in a Futuro Health program 3 years after their initial start date.

If you fail to complete all enrollment steps as outlined with your selected school by the due dates, you will be eligible to restart with that school one additional time only. If you fail to complete all enrollment steps by the required due dates during your second attempt, you will be ineligible to move forward at Futuro Health.

Candidates that have previously completed a medical assistant program from an accredited education provider are not eligible to participate in the Futuro Health Medical Assistant program.