Medford, Oregon, might seem rural to some, but for Jasmine, it’s a place full of opportunity. “Where I used to live in Mexico, it was really small,” she says with a laugh. “My school was just a little room for probably 14 or 15 kids. Moving was a culture shock, but I love it here. I don’t see myself going somewhere else.” Jasmine works as a medical assistant at one of our many Providence clinics in the area—and she’s dedicated to ensuring clear communication with Spanish-speaking patients so that everyone feels heard and informed.

A culture of support and flexibility from day one

When Jasmine transitioned from eldercare to working as a clinic MA, she was nervous, but the environment at Providence quickly put her at ease. “Everyone was so welcoming and super nice,” she recalls. That congeniality has continued over Jasmine’s years with us. “I love how close everyone is. We know each other and there’s always support. You hear stories from other places where you’re just one more employee. At our clinic, we’re like a family.”

Jasmine says she feels supported by all levels and roles, from patient services representatives to doctors, fellow MAs to nurses and managers. “Everybody’s there to help you,” she says. “My manager really cares about us. If we have a question or concern, we can always come talk to her.”

The tight-knit environment enables seamless collaboration, allowing caregivers to maintain a work-life balance through flexible scheduling. For example, while Jasmine typically works with a specific doctor, she works with another provider on Thursdays when her doctor is off. She says that same flexibility was afforded to her when she had her son.

“When I came back from maternity leave, I told my manager I couldn’t work 40 hours because that was a lot when my baby was only three months old.” Jasmine’s manager was happy to work with her to partially reduce her hours, which allowed Jasmine to maintain her benefits while spending more time with her son. Now, she’s back to work full-time and says her four, 10-hour shifts per week are great for her lifestyle. “You have that weekday off to make appointments or to spend it with your family. I think that’s really important.”

Ensuring clear communication for Spanish-speaking patients

Jasmine loves that she works in such a welcoming environment. “It doesn’t matter your culture, religion, anything. You’re always welcome here.” But as a native Spanish speaker, she also understands the challenges patients face when there’s a language barrier. That’s why Jasmine recently took advantage of the Providence tuition benefit to obtain her certificate as a Spanish medical interpreter.

“English is my second language, so I know that struggle of not understanding,” Jasmine says, explaining that it can be difficult for families of non-English-speaking patients because they have to take time off work to attend appointments and translate. Additionally, it can create problems when family members try to explain complicated medical terminology. While she’s able to speak Spanish while rooming patients, Jasmine says the certification means that she can officially translate on behalf of the provider.

A career path with room to grow

An upward trajectory in your career can add to your sense of fulfillment and purpose, which Jasmine says she has at Providence. “There are definitely opportunities for growth here!” So far, she’s advanced to MA III and added medical interpreting to her skillset—but she’s far from finished. Jasmine says her next goal is to become a nurse, and with Providence’s help, she’s already finished with her prerequisites for nursing school.

In the meantime, she continues to enjoy her varied days as an MA. “Before I started, I thought medical assistants just roomed the patient and got their vitals, and that was it,” she says with a laugh. “There’s so many things you can do, like ear lavages, EKGs, giving vaccines, all of the fun stuff. I was surprised by how many things MAs can do.”

No matter the task, Jasmine strives to make patients feel comfortable. “Nobody wants to be in the clinic or hospital, because coming in means you’re sick,” she explains. “But I try to make a really good experience for them and let them know that I’m there to help them.”

Work with us as a medical assistant

For busy working parents like Jasmine, being a clinic medical assistant offers a fantastic way to balance a career and family life. Her advice for those considering a role at Providence? Jasmine says to go for it! “If you work here, you have a family,” she says with a smile. “We’re always gonna have your back.” If you’re interested in joining our team, check out our many MA openings in Oregon and Washington—or view all medical assistant roles across our seven-state footprint.