PAWTUCKET – The New England Medical Training Institute, a for-profit school preparing its students to become medical assistants, certified nursing aides, allied health specialists, phlebotomy/EKG technicians, medical billers and coders, and emergency medical technicians, offers first aid and CPR classes, Nicholas Spencer, executive director, told Providence Business News. Courses to prepare students to become patient care technicians or medical administrators will be added to the curriculum in the first several months of 2017, according to Spencer. Courses range from 14 days to just under four months, he said.
The institute held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was sponsored by the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate its new location at 301 Concord St., Pawtucket. Rhode Island Lt. Governor Daniel McKee and Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien were in attendance, as were members of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and institute staff. Founded in March 2006, the institute moved from its earlier Pawtucket location, a 1,000-square-foot operation at 692 Central Ave., to a 3,000-square-foot property three months ago. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the institute’s space will expand to include an additional 3,000 square feet, which will be used for EMT and allied health training programs, Spencer said.
“Our goal [to start teaching EMT classes] is Feb. 1, and we are actively seeking a medical director to head up that program,” said Spencer. Currently, the institute has 11 staff members, including Spencer, and all of the instructors are highly experienced and licensed or certified in their field of expertise, he said.
Institute revenue comes wholly from tuition, which is under $1,000 per course; we offer a flexible payment plan, said Spencer. Our students find positions in urgent care centers, rehab facilities and home care organizations, he said, including Oakland Grove Health Care Center in Woonsocket, Pawtucket Center in Pawtucket and Waterview Villa Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in East Providence; Lifetime Medical Homecare actively recruits our students, he added.
“We are actively seeking externships and job placements for our medical assistant students and phlebotomy/EKG students at Care New England and Lifespan,” said Spencer, who acknowledged that the Community College of Rhode Island has “domination with that. It’s our biggest competitor. Who doesn’t know CCRI?”
The average age of students is between 18-49, though a 62-year-old just graduated from one program; some are individuals looking to change careers and others are newcomers to the United States, said Spencer. Only the EMT program has the prerequisite of a high school diploma or a GED.
“Unlike the competition, we don’t sign up students and hand them a number; we’re very family-oriented and students become part of our family – before, during and after classes,” said Spencer. “Our doors are always open for them.”
