Medical / Pharmacy Apprenticeships
The Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium works with multiple partners to offer innovative healthcare apprenticeship programs in the follow career paths:
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- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Central Sterile Processing Technician
Have a question about our apprenticeship programs?
Please visit our FAQ page.
Contact Mary Ramolete, Strategic Partnerships Project Manager, , 425-473-9352
Medical Assistant Program
A certified Medical Assistant (MA-C) is a licensed staff person able to perform clinic, lab, and hospital
tasks consistent with their license. Apprentices “learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches, and assigned mentor/preceptor Medical Assistant. Apprentices earn college credit through our college program partnerships.
The apprenticeship program for Medical Assistants involves:
- 288 hours of classroom and lab sessions
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Passing the Medical Assistant Certification Exam, leading to the Medical Assistant-Certified
registration, obtained through the Washington State Department of Health
Pharmacy Technician Program
A certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a licensed staff person able to perform non-discretionary
functions in a pharmacy. Apprentices “learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches, and assigned mentor/preceptor Pharmacy Technicians. Apprentices earn college credit through our program partnership with North Seattle College’s stellar Pharmacy Technician program.
The apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians involves:
- 264 hours of classroom and lab sessions
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam leading to the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) registration, obtained through the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (Pharmacy Commission).
Pharmacy Technician - College in the High School
A certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a licensed staff person able to perform non-discretionary
functions in a pharmacy. Apprentices “learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches, and assigned mentor/preceptor Pharmacy Technicians. Apprentices earn college credit through our program partnership with North Seattle College’s stellar Pharmacy Technician program.
The pilot Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County) apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians involves:
- 264 hours of classroom and lab sessions
- 24 elective college credits from North Seattle
- In-person instruction through Skills Center Instructor
- 2000 On the Job Training hours
- Employer placements may include independent, retail, and hospital pharmacy settings
- Pharmacy Technician State Certification after passing national test
Central Sterile Processing Technician
A certified Central Sterile Processing Technicians (CRCST) is a licensed staff person able to perform
cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and material management tasks in clinic and hospital settings. Apprentices
“learn while they earn”—working full time while gaining skills taught by experienced teachers, coaches,
and assigned mentor/preceptor Central Sterile Processing Technician. Apprentices earn college credit
through our college program partnerships.
The apprenticeship program for Central Sterile Processing Technician involves:
- 354 hours of classroom and lab sessions
- 2,000 hours of work experience
- Passing the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management(IAHCSMM) exam, leading to the nationally recognized Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certificate
Our Apprentices Say it Best
I didn’t think that I would be the first from my cohort to graduate and get my MA-C, but I did. My instructor was amazing – he made learning fun, and helped me believe in even furthering my education beyond a CMA for the future. I was able to pass the exam because I attended the study sessions.
And while waiting to get my license, I was offered a position to be an apprentice at UW Primary Care! It’s funny to think how things come full circle and you end up where you are supposed to be.