Healthcare support jobs hiring around Knoxville - what worked for you?

Several clinics and a hospital near Knoxville are hiring medical assistants, patient-care techs and schedulers. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. They mention tuition help for people who want to train further. Do any of these pay for certification?

I got into a patient-care role with no experience. They paid for my certification once I passed a background check.