Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a ‘Real Path to Grow’ for CNA

Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a 'Real Path to Grow' for CNA

Educational opportunities that combine clinical experience with classroom learning are abundant at Benefis Health System in Montana, as the need for skilled employees in a variety of healthcare roles increases across the nation. Apprenticeship programs are a major component of that initiative in Montana and at Benefis.

These state-regulated programs offer on-the-job training and scholarship-funded classroom learning that lead to healthcare careers as surgical technologists, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, medical laboratory technicians, and certified medical assistants. And there are more programs and paths being developed.

The new certified medical assistant apprenticeship program with Benefis requires a 2,000-hour or one-year commitment that includes 10 weeks of classroom education at Great Falls College MSU and concludes with a certification exam. Once passed, apprentices receive an apprenticeship card from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and can begin working in clinic settings across the system.

"At this point they begin working in the full capacity of a CMA," says Jamie Livingston, a certified medical assistant who also works as an educational instructor in Great Falls, Montana. "The other added benefit is that they begin earning the CMA wage once they earn their apprenticeship card."

CMA apprentices are hired to a home department at Benefis, and they return to that department after completing clinical rotations.

The Benefis/GFC-MSU program is in the beginning stage and is a "bridge" program for current certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to become CMAs.

Amy Hale is a community hospitals clinic office assistant (a CNA role) at Missouri River Medical Center in Fort Benton, Montana. Through the apprenticeship program, she can keep working her full-time job and volunteering as an emergency medical technician while taking the next step in her healthcare career.

"I'm learning the clinical side while staying in the field I already love," she says. "I don't have to put my career on pause to go back to school. The program is built for people who are already working in healthcare, and that made it doable for me."

Amy's classes are about to begin, but she has already started preparing with a study plan that covers the exam material.

"I'm used to balancing a lot between work and life, so I'm going into it with a plan and feeling ready."

Missy McCormick is an outpatient chronic care case manager who works closely with medical assistants across the system. Although her role is now remote, Missy is involved with the CMA Task Force and is an Empower champion for her department, helping push forward initiatives that contribute to employee well-being. She sees the apprenticeship program as a long-term solution to help combat staffing shortages while promoting retention among Benefis employees seeking career growth opportunities.

"I think it's empowering to give employees an opportunity to further their education, and the community will benefit from seeing the same familiar faces participating in their care," Missy says.

Building relationships and providing excellent patient care drive both Amy and Missy forward each shift.

"After 26 years, the one thing that never gets old is to hear 'Thank you' from a patient you have helped," Missy says.

Amy is feeling thankful, too, as she takes this next step in her career.

"I'm grateful that Benefis invests in its people this way," she says. "Not every employer gives you a real path to grow, and that says a lot about the kind of place this is."

Although she is just beginning her apprenticeship, Amy knows that taking on new challenges can be daunting.

"Don't talk yourself out of it because you're already working or you think you're too far into one path," she says. "Your experience counts - mine did. If you love patient care and want to grow, the apprenticeship is built for people exactly like you."

The next cohort won't start for another six months or so, but it's never too early to start thinking about your future. Benefis offers scholarship opportunities for CNAs entering the apprenticeship program and for patient service representatives to become CNAs first.

For more information about the CMA Apprenticeship program at Benefis, visit our apprenticeship program page and fill out the interest form. Additional information about job openings, including those that offer education assistance, are also available.