The Healthcare Office Pre-Apprenticeship prepares students with foundational skills and a direct pathway to interview for employment and/or continued training as a Medical Office Apprentice at Northern Light Health or Maine Medical Partners. Upon completion of the Pre-Apprenticeship, students are eligible to apply for a paid apprenticeship at Maine Medical Partners or Northern Light Health. Apprenticeship students are selected by the employer through a selective application and interview process. Students who are not selected for the apprenticeship will continue the remaining courses to earn PAE's Healthcare Office and Patient Services Representative Certificate.

Stipend of up to $2,000 available for those who qualify.

Click here to learn more.    Click here for the program schedule.

Prerequisites: CASAS score of 230, US work authorization required to apply for employment as apprentice (but optional for pre-apprenticeship), high school diploma or equivalent, approved application

To apply: There is an application process to enroll in this pre-apprenticeship. To begin your application, click here. The deadline to enroll is December 15.

The Maine Medical Center (MMC) CNA apprentice training program is sponsored by MMC’s Nursing Academic Affairs, in partnership with Portland Adult Education. MMC has provided expert training for CNAs since 1998. Successful graduates may become certified by the Maine Registry of CNAs.

The 7-week, state-approved course is offered six times per year at no charge to students. Upon successful completion of the course and if offered a position, students are expected to work as a CNA at MMC for a minimum of 1 year, at least 20 hours per week.

Students attend 4 days a week in Westbrook or Portland: 

• 4 days of class time during weeks 1 and 2.
• 2 days of class time and 2 days of clinical time starting week 3 through end of week 7.
  • Class days are 8 AM – 3 PM in Westbrook
  • Clinical days are 7 AM – 2:30 PM in Portland

Students are paid $17/hour plus benefits for the duration of the class (187 total hours). There is NO charge for this program, or for textbooks.

Click here for more information. 

Prerequisites: CASAS score of 240+, attendance of a required information session, valid and current US work authorization, approved application including two letters of reference, high school diploma or equivalent, immunizations required

To begin your application: please click here and follow the application instructions. 

The January session is tenatively scheduled at this time. Please contact MMC for more information at cnaprogram@mmc.org or 207-662-2483.

This course will cover core competencies of organizational and technical support of medical computer software records used in a healthcare facility. Topics to include: medical record content and format; techniques for filing, maintenance and acquisition of health information; processes of collecting, computing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data related to health care services all done with EHR computer software.

Note: This class does not satisfy the requirements to become a medical coder.

Course fee includes cost of book, $108.

Prerequisite: successful completion of Medical Terminology

Need assistance paying for this class? We have scholarship money available to those that qualify! Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.

Using specialized computer software, students will learn the medical coding skills needed for completing all required documentation according to national coding standards. This involves understanding patient charts and converting the applicable information into a series of alphanumeric codes known as ICD-10-CM or CPT codes. The course also teaches students how to interpret and correct coding errors.

Note: This class does not meet requirements to become a medical coder.

Course fee includes cost of book, $140.

Prerequisites: Computer basics and a completed course in (or working knowledge of) Medical Terminology.

Need assistance paying for this course? Scholarship money is available to those who qualify. Email davenm@portlandschools.org for the application.

Certification course to become a CNA for English Language Learners held at Portland Adult Education. Students first complete Medical Terminology, before beginning the CNA training course and a supported English course for academic support. 

Stipend of up to $2,000 available for those who qualify.

Click here to learn more.    Click here for the program schedule. 

Prerequisites: CASAS score of 225-230 with medical background, otherwise CASAS score of 230-239; high school diploma or equivalent; approved application including two letters of reference; immunizations required; US work authorization

 To begin your application: Click here to start the application process. The deadline to enroll is December 22.

Scholarship money is available to those who qualify.