Update – Grant Ended

This grant has ended. If you’re interested in learning about the training, career and supportive assistance that may be available to you, contact the WorkSmart Network.

Visit UW Health’s website for information about programs and trainings.

Contact WorkSmart

Instructional and clinical training to prepare you for the healthcare industry.

Healthcare organizations in Dane County had a total of 325 Medical Assistant job openings in 2018. The demand for these trained workers will only continue to increase each year for at least the next five years as the Madison population grows.

To address this healthcare workforce need, we partnered with UW Health, UnityPoint – Meriter, SSM Health and the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards to create the UW Health Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program.

About

The UW Health Certified Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program provides instructional and clinical training to students to prepare them for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Students primarily are incumbent workers (those in entry-level positions who identify with one or more underrepresented population demographics) at UW Health, UnityPoint – Meriter and SSM Health.

I want to give a thank you and a shout out to [the WorkSmart Network] and HOPE too because if it wasn’t for them I don’t think we would be here. And also to UW Health for allowing this opportunity.” – 2020 UW Certified Medical Assistant Program student

Benefits

Schedule

Traditional, full-time Medical Assistant training schedules can be challenging to balance. This program allows students to hold full-time employment while attending courses. Students have 16 hours of classroom and clinical instruction per week for 36 weeks followed by 24 hours of clinical instruction per week for 12 weeks.

Higher Potential

Medical Assistant positions start at $16 per hour in the Dane County area. After passing the CCMA exam, individuals have a strong foundation from which to pursue other healthcare careers, including nurse, physical assistant, medical imaging technologist and more.