A Peek into Proxima Career Navigation
Day in the World of Brianda
Proxima’s dedicated Navigation team sits down 1 on 1 with every individual to help them from the beginning of their healthcare journey until they land their first job. As part of a Scholar’s experience with us, they get to work with a Career Coach that provides career development and job support. We asked Brianda to highlight what she thinks about when working with a Scholar.
When I meet with a Proxima Scholar, I don’t just check in on their progress—I ask how they and their families are doing too. From there, we explore their work history, build or refine their resume, and talk through career goals and job opportunities. We also discuss college access, scholarship options, and graduate school planning for those interested in continuing their education. Overall, I ask about their confidence with interviewing and provide support and practice if needed. I also share upcoming events and connect them with employer partners. My goal is to make sure each Scholar feels seen, supported, and ready to take their next step with confidence 🙂 – Brianda
Shoutouts and Highlights
U of U West Valley Campus Announcement
The Proxima team is thrilled to see the transformational $75 million gift from the Eccles Foundation to support the new hospital in West Valley. This marks an exciting milestone, and we are honored to play a part in helping build the workforce that will harness the power of community and change health outcomes for the many who will visit this state of the art facility.
From our CEO, Rich Saunders: “Proxima has been invited to anticipate involvement in upcoming workforce development workgroups, along with having an integral role in supporting staffing efforts at U West Valley. Our thanks to President Randall and University of Utah Health team for their vision and partnership! We’re excited about this opportunity and look forward to bringing our care-team partners with us on this journey. We’ll continue strengthening our relationships and processes so we’re ready to meet this historic and transformative moment on the west side of the Wasatch Front.”
Congratulations to our Proxima Team Member
Melissa Del Castillo 🎉
Congrats to our lead Navigator, Melissa, for the Ivory Prize Award for Community Leadership! The award operates to acknowledge individuals who have strongly impacted student success and offer leadership to the community around them. The committee was impressed by Melissa’s work in pioneering pathways that empower students to pursue careers in healthcare at Proxima Careers.
With this award, Melissa continues to give back by donating her $5,000 towards funding scholarships for future Proxima Scholars. If you see her around, give her a big shout out and high five!
Expanding our Healthcare Employer Partners with Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facilities
In addition to our hospital and health system partnerships, Proxima is working to develop our partnerships with skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. This is a great opportunity for our Scholars who may be interested in working and building their clinical skills in this out-patient setting. We have started conversations with the Utah Health Care Association and Utah Center For Assisted Living to explore potential points of collaboration.
A quick shoutout to Joseph Walker who leads the Larry Miller Senior Health Division and serves on Proxima’s Board. His expertise and knowledge in this space has been crucial for our success and we’d like to send him a big thanks for his support!
Upcoming Training and Cohort Opportunities
Partnership with Neighborworks Salt Lake
Proxima is incredibly excited to partner with our friends at Neighbor Works Salt Lake and Utah CNA Training Centers to host another Community CNA Training Course. We learned in our orientation that several individuals who immigrated here to the U.S. have backgrounds as nurses and healthcare professionals and are excited to start their healthcare journey here in Utah. With this class quickly filling up, we are looking forward to our next cohort at Neighbor Works starting on May 19th. Please reach out if know folks who may be interested.
For Graduating High School Seniors! Healthcare Summer Training Opportunity
This summer, Proxima is proud to support a special senior cohort designed for 2025 graduates interested in jumpstarting a education and career in healthcare. Whether they are looking to become a CNA, MA, or EMT, we will get them connected to a training program of their choice all across the Wasatch Front. Scholars can finish as soon as the end of this summer for their CNA or EMT training.
Please see the flier and share with interested individuals. They can also visit webpage and fill out our interest form!
Upcoming Community CNA Training Classes
South Salt Lake Community Center – The Co-Op
Community CNA Training Cohort located also at South Salt Lake Community Center: Come be a part of our next community CNA training class in South Salt Lake. This is NO cost for community members. Childcare can be provided onsite for parents. Morning and evening option available.
- Class starts Tuesday evening, April 15 from 5:45 – 7:45pm or Wednesday morning, April 16 from 9:00-11:00am and will run for 12 weeks
- A hybrid course with a mix of in-person once a week and completing online coursework
- Requirements: 16 years and older, work authorization in the U.S., English fluency, and an interest in starting a healthcare pathway.
Salt Lake Center for Science and Education (SLCSE)
Community CNA Training Cohort located also at SLCSE: Come be a part of our next community CNA training class in the Rose Park area. This is NO cost for community members.
- Class starts Thursday, April 10 from 4:00-6:00pm and will run for 9 weeks
- A hybrid course with a mix of in-person once a week on Thursdays and completing online coursework
- Requirements: 16 years and older, work authorization in the U.S., English fluency, and an interest in starting a healthcare pathway.
We’re bringing health care training programs closer to home! When our communities express significant interest in a Proxima cohort, we team up with educators and community sites to create a training that combines convenience, quality clinical training, and Proxima’s job readiness workshops. And as usual, Proxima covers the training costs, stays with you until you get the job, and makes sure you have a clear plan for how to continue to advance your career.
Sign up for either class by visiting proximacareers.org and filling out our interest form!
Pathway Highlight: Medical Assistants
Our own Proxima teammate, Tan, practicing CPR and who also currently works as a Medical Assistant
At Proxima, we’re proud to support individuals as they take their first step into the healthcare field through Medical Assistant (MA) training pathways in partnership with education partners. Medical Assistants play a vital role in clinics, hospitals, and doctor’s offices—checking in patients, taking vital signs, updating medical records, assisting with procedures, and more. They’re often the first friendly face a patient sees and the steady support clinicians count on every day. By 2032, demand for Medical Assistants in Utah is projected to grow by 44%, making this a much needed and rewarding entry point into the healthcare workforce.
But becoming an MA is more than just a job—it’s a powerful stepping stone. Many of our Scholars use their MA experience as a foundation to grow into roles like nursing, radiologic technology, healthcare administration, and other specialized clinical careers. Proxima helps Scholars not only get started—but go further.
Training to become an MA typically takes anywhere from 6-18 months depending on which program you are at (Tooele Tech, Ogden Weber Tech, Davis Tech, Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah or Mountainlands Tech) and how fast you choose to complete the course.
Ways to Get Involved
- Fill out an Interest Form: If you’re interested in exploring healthcare career pathways or maybe you are referring someone over, please fill out our interest form on our website! Visit proximacareers.org and click “Start Your Journey”.
- Follow Us on Social Media: Stay up-to-date on the latest Proxima Careers news and announcements by following us on social media!
- Spread the Word: Share our newsletter and opportunities with anyone who might be interested in a healthcare career!
Message to End
Thank you friends for catching up on Proxima’s fun over the past month of March! If you also didn’t know, March was Women’s History Month and we want to send an extra special thank you to the women who are a part of Proxima’s internal team (Brianda, Chandler, Melissa, Ashley), our Scholars, and the many others who part of Proxima’s external team (the women in the community). You all are always making history in the great things that you do!
Moving into the month of April, we are prepping for the many community and outreach events so come by, say hi, and give knuckles 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 !
I hope to see you later, gator.
Kevin Nguyen
Director, Partnerships and Community Engagement
Email: kn@proximacareers.org Phone: 801-835-1715
