SOWIB release – Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) is pleased to announce the graduation of the first round of registered Medical Assistant apprentices. This innovative program has registered over 40 apprentices in Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Lincoln Counties. To date, 92% of the apprentices are on track to complete, and 96% of test takers have passed the certification exam. Healthcare apprenticeship is a unique “earn and learn” model that includes paid on-the-job training (2000 hours; one year of full-time work) coupled with related instruction (156 hours; on-line after hours). The Oregon State Apprenticeship & Training Council approved the program in April of 2018, offering an additional avenue for workers to become trained and eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. This nationally recognized credential is portable and can be used anywhere in the United States to qualify for Medical Assistant openings. The program can be completed in half the time of traditional two-year community college programs while allowing students to work as they learn. Allied Health West is the local sponsor for the apprenticeship program, and through partnership with local and regional healthcare employers, thirteen training sites within Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Lincoln Counties have joined on. In the next year, plans are underway to expand further into Oregon as well as Northern California. To meet minimum qualifications, applicants must be 18 years or older, and have a high school diploma, GED, or certificate of high school equivalency. Employers require that applicants pass a pre-employment drug screening, undergo a criminal background check, and are also subject to other employer related policies specific to each training site. Successful candidates generally have experience/education in allied health or administrative work, are strong multi-taskers and maintain excellent customer service skills.
