In 2021, Monument Health began an effort that provides a Medical Assistant certification program for hired Clinical Assistants that includes hands-on work experience, after-hours classroom education, a 120-hour internship and National Healthcareer Association certification. This CA to MA program has moved 140 Clinical Assistants through at least part of the CA to MA experience and we have increased our system Medical Assistant count to 73, providing substantial support for our ambulatory workforce optimization efforts.
Due to our ongoing growth, workflow optimization projects, and turnover, an additional pipeline for Medical Assistants was put into place in 2025 through a Department of Labor-registered Apprenticeship. Sarah Blenner, Director of Talent Resourcing, had the idea to incorporate the Department of Labor-sponsored MA Apprenticeship Program and about two years ago, she partnered with Associate Vice President Ambulatory Nursing, Shelly Roy to take steps toward DOL registration. In October 2024, Jamie Hower, Manager of HR Service Center, took the reins of the program to plan, recruit, hire and work our first cohort through their apprenticeship.
In Spring of 2025, 11 MA Apprentices were hired and began their journey. The new apprenticeship stands on a strategic foundation of having a centralized model, focus on belonging and retention, attention to enterprise competency and confidence and new flexibility and scheduling that allows for cultural and professional fit to be achieved while giving the apprentices a standard clinic schedule throughout their apprenticeship.
After 3 months of Clinical Assistant work, the MA Apprentices moved into the classroom where they spent 8 weeks learning textbook foundations of the Medical Assistant position through ProTrain University. The apprentices take their online course together during regular clinic hours for about 8 weeks. “Sitting in a room with people, learning together, you’re just so much more comfortable asking questions and there’s great camaraderie,” says Jamie.
Following completion of the ProTrain program, the MA Apprentices begin their 120-hour internship, where they have a MA preceptor in a variety of clinic experiences and specialties, complete phlebotomy training and check off nearly 100 new competencies that include blood draws and medication injections. During their internship, the MA Apprentices also test for their national NHA certification.
“At year one, our first cohort has an 80% retention, 100% national examination and placement success” says Jamie, “and we brought a new cohort of 5 onboard on April 6. Our goal for the year is to hire 20 MA Apprentices.”
Thanks to the success of the MA apprenticeship program, HR is evaluating what other pipelines could be built to fill staffing needs, such as nursing apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships are incredible and their importance in career development and recruitment will only increase in coming years,” Jamie says. “They are a high-quality career pathway where people can obtain paid work experience and an education while working full time and avoiding students costs and dept. Apprenticeships are perfect for people not ready or able to take a traditional college route and who are recent high school graduates, people looking to make a career transition, or current healthcare employees looking for a next step into a certified role.”
Two spots remain for the next MAA program cohort, which begins May 26. Those interested can contact Jamie Hower: jhower@monument.health or call 605-755-5503.