Mission: To cultivate an equitable and sustainable community health workforce through innovative education and training programs.
The Association’s InReach team hosts on-the-job training programs that provide individuals with full-time employment and supplemental instruction to obtain an industry-recognized credential in the healthcare field. We offer a Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program to employers in the state of Oregon. In addition to running these programs in Washington, we offer consultations to organizations in other states interested in launching their own.
Registered Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program
The Registered Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a 12-month program that prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Healthcareer Association. It has been approved by the State of Washington as an equivalent to an MA-C program at a community or technical college. The InReach team works with employers who recruit and host apprentices from their local communities.
The program is:
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A registered apprenticeship program through the U.S. Department of Labor.
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Governed by an Apprenticeship Committee of 50% employer and 50% MA representatives.
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Administered through the Washington Association for Community Health.
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Training students in the specific skills required to achieve the MA-Certified credential.
Employer Expectations
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Register as an approved training agent.
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Provide a 1:1 MA-C coach for each apprentice.
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Allow apprentices and coaches adequate time to meet and practice skills on the job.
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Responsible for interviewing, screening, and hiring all apprentices.
Apprentice Expectations
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Complete 2000 hours of on-the-job training (paid) with the support and guidance of an experienced one-on-one MA coach.
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Complete 410 hours of supplemental coursework (unpaid). Online coursework.
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Attend 3 in-person lab days with an expert instructor to practice and demonstrate mastery of hands-on technical skills.
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Log and report on-the-job hours and skill practices as required.
Interested in Enrolling Apprentices as a Health Center?
Cohorts begin on a quarterly basis in January, April, July and October every year. InReach works with over 70 Employer Partners throughout the Pacific Northwest who are; Urban & Rural, Large Hospital Systems, Nationally Qualified Health Centers, Small Health Systems, and Private Practices. If you are an employer that is interested in participating in our MA Apprenticeship program, please fill out our contact form and a representative from your region will reach out.
Interested in Participating as an Apprentice?
- If you are interested in participating in the MA Apprenticeship as an apprentice, please check out our “Employer Partners Map” to find employers in your area
- If you are already with an employer, but they are not partnered with our program, have your employer reach out using our contact form.
Additional Information
The Oregon Primary Care Association’s (OPCA) partnership with InReach aligns with our mission to support and advance community health centers and the communities they serve. OPCA’s commitment to ensuring accessible, high-quality primary care for all Oregonians finds a perfect partner in InReach, an organization dedicated to enhancing the reach and impact of health care services through innovative solutions. This partnership underscores OPCA’s strategic focus on advocacy, collaboration, and support for primary care providers, ultimately contributing to healthier communities across Oregon.
