Medical Assistants (MAs) are the heart of our talented and vibrant caregiving community—and many find that working at one of our clinics across the Puget Sound region gives them greater work-life balance, as well. A few of our clinic MA caregivers shared their thoughts about this and other benefits.

Time to do the things you love

Jesse, who works with us in Redmond Ridge, has been a Medical Assistant for over 13 years, and for him, one thing that sets Providence Swedish apart from his previous employers is the work-life balance. “This job allows me to be able to have life after work,” Jesse says. “They’re very flexible with our schedule.” Jesse enjoys having the time outside of work to pursue his passion for wildlife and nature photography.

Other Medical Assistants agree. Lead MA Sarah, who works with us in Redmond, says, “I love having time to hang out with my grandchildren, and to go boating in the summer.” MA Christine, who works with us in Seattle, shares, “I appreciate that I’m not being contacted for work outside of clinic hours. I like to crochet and cross stitch and do crafty things. The providers and management value my time with my family, and it allows me to enjoy that.”

Teammates who are supportive both professionally and personally

At Providence Swedish, we know that a cohesive team is critical to delivering world class care. “I’ve worked at many places,” says Sarah, “but the team that we have here, we are a great family. They can read me and see when I need help and they jump right in to assist me and vice versa. We all work well together and we’re here for each other, and we love our patients.”

Christine knows from experience that this kind of support and teamwork isn’t a given. “This clinic is so unified. My former clinic, at a different organization, was much different. Here, everybody genuinely likes each other. Everybody genuinely supports each other and roots for each other.”

For Jesse, that support extends beyond his workday. “I love my coworkers. They’ve all been here for me since the very beginning, especially my supervisor. My dog is currently hospitalized right now, and my supervisor has bent over backwards to make sure that I can be there for him when I need to be. I feel really supported by them all.”

Christine adds, “Providence is our organization, and they want to make sure that we know we are valued as individuals.”

A culture of diversity and inclusion

Sarah, Jesse, and Christine appreciate Providence Swedish’s commitment to diversity and equity. “We have a very diverse staff,” says Sarah. “There’s a lot of diversity within Providence Swedish. That’s one thing I’m very proud of here.”

The clinics strive to celebrate differences and create a place where everyone belongs. Jesse feels that spirit of inclusion as well. “I’m actually gay myself, and I’ve felt more than welcome here. I’m also Latino and you can see the diversity in each of the clinics and they’re very supportive.”

“Every caregiver is welcome here,” says Christine. “I’ve been here almost six years, and there’s never been a caregiver, at least that I know of, who has said, ‘I don’t feel like I’m welcome within Providence.’ We try really hard to make sure that everybody knows that they are welcome and that we’re excited that they’re here.”

Prioritizing career growth and caregiver wellbeing

“One of the reasons I joined Providence Swedish was knowing that they help support you in moving up and staying,” says Jesse. Career growth is one of Providence Swedish’s key priorities for caregivers. “So if it’s going back to nursing school, or becoming a clinic supervisor, they are there to give you the resources to help you out.” Jesse has been considering the next steps on his own career path. “I was thinking about clinic supervisor, and my supervisor has been very supportive and gave me resources to start doing some little steps.”

Sarah adds, “We have a Medical Assistant apprenticeship program where you can get your education and hands-on skills in a clinic setting. And at the end of the year, you’ll receive your certificate and become certified as a Medical Assistant.”

Christine utilized Providence Swedish’s tuition reimbursement program. “I have recently completed my AA degree.”

“I’ve worked at other places where it’s like there’s a cap and you’re not able to move up anymore,” says Jesse. “Here, you’re actually able to go back to school and stay within Swedish and not have to look outside the organization.”

The best-in-class benefits at Providence Swedish extend beyond career advancement to retirement, family support, and caregiver assistance. “I’ve used the mental health benefits,” says Christine. “Not every employer gives that benefit, and in this day and age, especially post-COVID, where it’s way less taboo than it used to be, I’m a huge advocate for counseling and therapy. Even if you don’t think you need it, it’s really nice to talk to somebody outside of your situation.” Christine also takes advantage of smaller benefits that still pay big rewards for her family. “We use the pet insurance with my cat, and we got a puppy.”

Considering joining us as a clinic MA?

“If you want to work someplace where you are actually supported, and you don’t feel like you’re overwhelmed,” says Jesse, “this is a place to be.”

See open MA roles.