“We wanted to help people,” Olinda said. “We started volunteering at age 9 and would give out bags of food during the summer.”

“And we had an interest in science,” Paola said. “So, the two went hand in hand.”

As children, the twins would design their own experiments at home and pretend to be doctors, with their mother as their patient. In high school, they took classes including Principles of Health and Medical Terminology, achieving their phlebotomy and CPR certifications in their senior year.

“It was hard to find entry-level jobs as phlebotomists after we graduated, because we were only 17,” Paola said. “But the CMA apprentice program started right when we turned 18, and phlebotomy was part of the job description.”

“We thought it would be a good first step into the healthcare world,” Olinda added.

Paola began working in the Bedford practice, supporting Amritpal Khela, M.D., and sharing what she learned with her sister.

“I’d come home and tell all the things I’d learned, and she’d explain how it applied in clinic,” Olinda said. “And then I’d pass that on to the rest of the class, to kind of connect the two. So, it gave us some insight into the clinical side.”

When Olinda finished her 10 weeks of classroom education, she was accepted into the same practice for her externship.

“I think some of the other employees were even more excited than I was,” Paola said.

Kelly Smith, practice manager, and Ginifer O’Neal, back office supervisor, agreed.

“When Olinda first came to shadow, I took her around to introduce her and everyone said, ‘Yeah, we already know her,’” O’Neal said, laughing. “We can’t tell them apart, especially when they wear their hair the same. Thank goodness for badges.”

Both twins have impressed their colleagues.

“They’re both very professional,” Smith said, adding that she hopes Olinda will be able to stay on in a float position after her apprenticeship. “They pick up skills really quickly, and their patient care skills are great.”

The feeling is mutual.

“Dr. Khela supports me in everything I do, and I really love working with her,” Paola said. “I’m learning a lot of new things, and I enjoy working with the patients. They’re always interesting.”

As much as the sisters enjoy their work, both plan to go back to school eventually. Olinda wants to work in pediatrics as a nurse or provider. Paola hopes to become a physician specializing in neurology or emergency medicine.

“Working in family care has made me realize that everyone has a really important job,” Paola said. “So, I won’t be mad at myself if I don’t make it.”

They’ve even encouraged their father to consider the program.

“Our parents have been a big support system for us,” Olinda said. “They would send us links to jobs in healthcare and encourage us to apply. Our dad actually found the apprentice program.”

Added Paola: “At one point, I even suggested it to my dad. He has his own job, but he said, ‘Healthcare looks really fun, and I feel like I could do it and make that career change.’ I told him he could start in the same program we did. They teach you everything.”

Want to get on the fast track?

The FastTrack program is based on an “Earn as You Learn” model that Texas Health Resources University (THRU) has used successfully in similar programs for the system. It equips CMA candidates with the priority skills and proficiency to practice safely and includes clinical skills validation, professional development with soft skills and mentorship.
 
To apply online for the FastTrack CMA Apprenticeship program, visit jobs.texashealth.org and search Medical Assistant Apprentice.

For more information about the program, email cmaprogram@texashealth.org.