Celebrating a new graduate of the CCMA Apprenticeship program.  Pictured from left: Ebonee Johnson, Aspyr Apprenticeship Coordinator, Lynae Berens, Registered Apprentice, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians and Cristin Bryant, Senior Learning & Development Specialist, Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians 

A new apprenticeship program is helping aspiring healthcare workers become Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMAs) – all while working and getting paid. 

The ASPYR CCMA Registered Apprenticeship blends six months (26 weeks) of formal classes (one day a week) with paid on-the-job training at a participating medical employer. Apprentices keep their job as they train, gaining hands-on experience in a clinical setting under a mentor’s guidance. By the end of the program, they’re prepared to take the national CCMA certification exam and advance into full medical assistant roles. 

How it works: Each apprentice spends one day per week in classroom-based related instruction, led by a training provider such as Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools. The remaining weekdays are spent working and learning on the job at their healthcare practice, where they apply new clinical skills in real time. 

This “earn-and-learn” approach means participants continue earning a paycheck from their employer during training, rather than having to quit work or pay for full-time schooling. The program runs for approximately half a year, after which apprentices sit for the CCMA exam. Upon passing, they receive a widely recognized credential and step up to a Medical Assistant position, often with an accompanying pay increase as they assume higher-skilled duties. 

Benefits for apprentices: “I can be more versatile in the office,” said one recent participant who transitioned from a front-desk patient service role to the apprenticeship – a move that expanded their skills and responsibilities while also opening up career growth and higher wages. 

Apprentices gain practical medical skills, personal mentorship, and a clear career path within their organization, all without incurring student debt or sacrificing income. They also gain confidence: after completing the classroom portion, apprentices continue logging supervised clinical hours until fully proficient, sharpening their skills as they work toward full certification.

Benefits for employers: Healthcare providers face persistent shortages of clinical staff, and this program offers an innovative talent pipeline solution. Instead of struggling to recruit new medical assistants, **employers can upskill proven employees (for example, by cross-training a receptionist into a clinical assistant role). This cross-training boosts flexibility – staff can cover multiple roles as needed – and improves retention, since employees are likelier to stay when they see their company investing in their growth. 

Aspyr supports the process by handling program logistics and providing technical assistance and grant funding, significantly offsetting the cost of instruction for employers. In fact, grant support averages around $6,200 per apprentice, “taking a heavy load off” employers in terms of training expenses.

A partnership in action: One example is Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC), which partnered with Aspyr to launch the CCMA apprenticeship for its employees. Over two cohorts, COPC has enabled several team members in clerical roles to train into medical assistant positions, strengthening its workforce from within. The company’s learning and development team spearheaded recruiting candidates and supporting them through the 26-week class plus 1,000+ hours of clinical training – an effort they describe as “a game-changer” for solving staffing needs and boosting team morale. “It’s solving an operational challenge for us and helping our people grow,” notes COPC’s program lead, emphasizing that apprentices often become loyal, long-term staff after completing the program. 

Moving forward: With strong outcomes (including a 100% CCMA exam pass rate in the first cohort) and more employers coming on board, the ASPYR CCMA Apprenticeship is poised to expand. Prospective students interested in healthcare and employers looking to build their own talent pipeline are encouraged to learn more about upcoming cohorts or get involved.

For more information about establishing an apprenticeship program contact the Apprenticeship Resource Hub of Central Ohio (ARCHO). Steve Saunier, Aspyr Director of Apprenticeships, ssaunier@aspyrworkforce.org