The University of Hawaii announced that free tuition is available to 26 residents entering Kapiolani Community College’s medical assisting program through a new partnership with The Queen’s Health Systems.

Medical assistants work alongside physicians and assist with patient care, routine lab and diagnostic tests, and administrative and business procedures at private medical offices and hospital outpatient clinics.

The 12-month program, which starts Aug. 26, will offer recipients the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at Queen’s Medical Center while taking classes and earning college credits at KCC. Students will be working 16 hours per week at Queen’s in a modified physician practice assistant role.

“There is a growing need for medical assistants and physician practice assistants in the community,” said Jason Chang, COO of The Queen’s Health Systems, in a news release. “Queen’s is committed to developing the talent and providing the financial assistance, training and experience to help them succeed.”

Upon completion, students will be eligible to earn a University of Hawaii certificate of achievement in medical assisting and qualify to take the gold-standard national certification exam for a certified medical assistant. Students should also be able to transition seamlessly into the associate in science degree program at KCC.

Students who are selected will still be responsible for their own books and student activity fees.

If interested, prospective students should apply for the Physician Practice Assistant Intern position at Queen’s — Punchbowl, job number 123500. The deadline to apply is June 10.

Queen’s will nominate candidates from the pool of job applications received. Contact Kim Trujillo at 691-8049 for more information.