Apprentice Spotlight: Jonathan Tejada-Flores

Jonathan Tejada-Flores is a 2025 graduate of DC Public School’s Columbia Heights Educational Campus (Bell Multicultural High School), a current freshman at Trinity Washington University, and a Health Information Specialist Apprentice at Whitman-Walker Health through the DC HEAL program. As an apprentice, he manages and organizes medical records, merges patient information, and ensures accurate data transitions. His path to healthcare began through the nursing pathway at the Advanced Technical Center, where his clinical rotations sparked an interest in the field, and now plans continue his professional journey while pursuing an advanced degree. Here is our Q&A with Jonathan:

What inspired you to apply for and join the apprenticeship program? How did you first hear about it?

My inspiration to join the apprenticeship program came from my experiences in the nursing pathway at the Advanced Technical Center (ATC) during high school. While studying nursing and completing clinical rotations for my CNA Course at the ATC, I realized how much I enjoyed working in healthcare and helping patients.

I first learned about the DC HEAL apprenticeship through my teachers and mentors at the ATC, who pushed me to explore opportunities that combine work experience with higher education. I saw the apprenticeship as a great opportunity to continue gaining real-world healthcare experience while pursuing college. This allows me to build professional skills as early as possible, earn an income, and move forward toward my long-term healthcare career goals.

Before joining the apprenticeship, what were your thoughts about the industry you're working in? Has that changed? 

Before my ATC and apprenticeship experience, I didn’t have plans to pursue a career in health care. 9th-10th grade was just full of fun and happiness until 11th grade, when everything started to get serious and focused on the future, like careers, continuing education, etc. I didn't fully understand the responsibility, teamwork, and dedication required to care for patients. I thought that since I liked anatomy and physiology classes, healthcare would be easy.  

But through my experiences in the ATC nursing program and now my apprenticeship, my perspective has completely changed. I now see healthcare as a field that requires compassion, communication, and a strong commitment to helping others. Working in this environment has shown me how important every role is in supporting patient care and making sure people receive the help they need.

It has motivated me to continue growing in this field and eventually become a medical professional who can make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

What's one technical skill (e.g., coding, specific software, equipment operation) you are developing during your apprenticeship? 

While working at Whitman-Walker, we had to learn the systems they used. These systems are the backbone of healthcare. When I first was learning how to use these systems, I would constantly ask questions like it was a Jeopardy game. I was surprised nobody got annoyed with me. But the team I was surrounded with was amazing, and now I'm proficient in document types and how to use systems like EPIC & eCW.  Some examples of how I applied my skills were with my apprentice partner, Sophia. We both started on the same day and asked each other questions about the system. We have assisted with specific assignments, such as merging patient information, identifying potential duplicates, and transitioning patients from eCW to our newer program, EPIC. 

What's one soft skill (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management) you are developing?

A soft skill that I've learned is time management. At the beginning of high school, I didn’t follow a schedule. Every single day, I came to school late. It got so bad that an administrator met with me about my attendance. By the end of high school, however, I learned that attendance is key to a successful route to my future. At Whitman-Walker, I see that every worker has to be consistent with their timing in order to serve our patients well. They will constantly remind you of their attendance policies and even send you reminders when daylight saving time changes. In addition, lots of people I work with also take public transit, so they always shoot a message when trains are delayed (which is often) so you can adjust your commute, if possible. Since my coworker and I are still new workers, we help each other by notifying each other. Using these types of resources, although minor, has helped me grow; I’m pleased to say that now my attendance is consistent and my colleagues know they can depend on me.

During your apprenticeship experience thus far, what project, task, or achievement are you most proud of? 

So far, the achievement that I'm most proud of is that I know the tech platform to organize documents so quickly that we've actually caught up, and now we have a constant, organized system. When it comes to new tasks, now it's a breeze to go through. I have received so much appreciation and thank yous from my colleagues, like I was a hero in a movie. It was very meaningful to be recognized and applauded for my growth, my speed, and the steady pace of my learning.

Can you share a challenge or obstacle you've faced during your apprenticeship and how you overcame it?

During my apprenticeship, the biggest obstacle I had to overcome was juggling my job, UDC (the institution providing training related to my apprenticeship), and Trinity (the institution where I am pursuing my degree). I felt so disorganized, and at the beginning of everything, my commitments overlapped. I missed multiple days at Trinity, and I struggled with my responsibilities at work. At UDC, I was unprepared and didn't have the right materials until the week I was paid. I overcame all these problems by organizing everything into highest and lowest priorities and communicating with multiple people, so I could make sure I succeed in everything I'm currently doing. 

What's something you've learned about yourself through this apprenticeship that you didn't know before?

Something I've learned about myself during this apprenticeship is that I can adapt easily and with confidence. When I was doing clinical rotations and/or working a part-time job in high school, I was too scared to try anything new and always needed someone to micromanage everything I did. But through this apprenticeship, I have realized that expanding into new things, asking questions, and seeking clarification will help me in succeeding in what I do.

How has this apprenticeship shaped or influenced your career goals? Are you considering a different path than you were before?

This apprenticeship has made me reconsider what type of career goal I want. I started out wanting more hospital-based jobs, like being a surgeon and a medical-surgical nurse. But during this apprenticeship, I’ve become interested in working in an outpatient facility like Whitman-Walker Clinics on informatics and patient care like my boss, the Senior Director of Nursing at Whitman-Walker Health, Jessica Estrada. 

What are your plans after you complete your apprenticeship? 

After this apprenticeship, I want to continue working at Whitman-Walker because I really enjoy their community, their care for their workers, the food, and, overall, the amazing team I'm working with. I’d like to continue at Whitman-Walker Health as I pursue my nursing degree from Trinity Washington University. 

How would you describe yourself before the apprenticeship versus after/during the apprenticeship? What's changed?

Before this apprenticeship, I was disorganized and struggled to meet deadlines until the last minute. Thankfully, I’ve always been a strong communicator which has pushed me to where I am currently.  But now I know how to manage my time, plan ahead, and keep a schedule AND am an amazing communicator. Now I’m someone who takes on challenges and new things, and I set goals daily. I'm always ready to help support others, and, overall, my colleagues tell me that I have become a model person whom people can look up to. 

Why do you think apprenticeships are valuable compared to other options like internships or traditional part-time jobs?

For me, apprenticeships are more valuable than internships or traditional part-time jobs. They offer training and certification, which look excellent on job applications, and provide a paycheck. 

What would you say to an employer who's considering hosting an apprentice?

We, apprentices, will be helpful in the long run. You would be opening up so many opportunities for students and yourself. Success runs through everyone; we need someone to boost, and that could be you.