Medical Assistant Apprentice

Unity Care NW•Ferndale, WA

18h•$24 - $28

About The Position

Unity Care NW is hiring a Medical Assistant Apprentice for its paid Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program. Apprentices complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with guidance from an experienced one-on-one MA coach, along with 434 hours of unpaid supplemental coursework and concurrent online coursework. The program also includes three in-person lab days in the Seattle area to practice and demonstrate hands-on technical skills. Apprentices must log and report their on-the-job hours and skill practices. After successful program completion, apprentices qualify to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Health Career Association. After passing the exam, they are eligible to apply for a Washington State Department of Health MA-Certified license. The Medical Assistant role provides and coordinates patient-centered primary care in an outpatient setting. Duties include rooming patients, completing tests and procedures under provider or standing orders, managing inboxes and other computer tasks, administering immunizations and injections, supporting clinical operations, precepting new employees and externs, coaching MA apprentices, and ordering supplies, medications, and vaccines. Apprentices commit to working at Unity Care NW as a Medical Assistant for at least one year after successful program completion, testing, and licensure, provided they remain in good standing. The position is hourly and non-exempt, with a standard wage range of $23.73–$27.91 per hour and the possibility of earning up to $32.04 per hour over time. The schedule is four 10-hour days, with occasional Saturdays. Unity Care NW is a nonprofit federally qualified health center serving the greater Whatcom County area through clinics in Bellingham and Ferndale.

Requirements

Complete Washington State Apprenticeship Agreement forms in a timely manner if hired.
Commit to working at Unity Care NW as a Medical Assistant for at least one year following successful program completion, testing, and licensure, provided the employee remains in good standing.
Sign Unity Care NW's Education Assistance Agreement and Promissory Note, which outline a payback clause if the commitment is not fulfilled.
Be available to start on January 25, 2027.
Be able to attend the required virtual kickoff meeting on January 29, 2027.
Current Unity Care NW employees must have been in their current role for at least one year and be in good standing; exceptions may be made upon approval.

Nice To Haves

Prior health care experience.
A strong interest in working with diverse patient populations.

Responsibilities

Complete the patient rooming process.
Complete patient testing and procedures following provider orders or standing orders.
Perform inbox management and other computer tasks.
Perform immunizations and injections.
Perform general clinical operations duties.
Precept new employees and externs and coach MA Apprentices.
Order supplies, medications, and vaccines.
Complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with an experienced one-on-one MA coach.
Complete 434 hours of supplemental coursework and concurrent online coursework.
Attend three in-person lab days in the Seattle area to practice and demonstrate competency in hands-on technical skills.
Log and report on-the-job hours and skill practices as required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with employer match after one year of eligibility.
Six paid holidays.
Paid time off accrued at 108 hours in Year 1 of eligibility, 156 hours in Year 2, and gradually increasing to 196 hours per year over the next eight years.
Paid sick leave.
Paid bereavement, jury duty, and bone marrow/organ donation leaves.
Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.
Optional supplementary Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability, critical illness, accident, travel, and identity theft protection coverage.
Flexible Spending Account.
Health Savings Account on the Base Medical Insurance Plan.
Employee Assistance Program.
Alternative transportation incentives.
Healthy Living reimbursement.
Medical Hardship Payroll Loans.
Employee Referral Bonus.
Will preparation services.
Gym discount.
Employment that counts toward eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Reimbursement of Washington State license fees.
Continuing education dollars and hours for renewing a CCMA certification.
Competitive wage.
Friendly and collaborative team environment.
Meaningful, mission-oriented work supporting the community.