Every day, hundreds of medical assistant apprentices across Washington diligently develop their clinical skills on the job—something that wasn’t always the norm. Historically, the healthcare industry has relied on higher education for clinical licensure, often creating barriers for job seekers. Apprenticeships are breaking down those barriers. 

The Institute for Rethinking Education and Careers in Healthcare (now InReach) was established by the Washington Association for Community Health in response to state policy changes requiring medical assistants to provide proof of training and competency for licensure.

The program’s founding leaders envisioned something unprecedented in Washington: a registered apprenticeship program leading to a clinical healthcare license. With guidance from trusted staff at Community Health Centers, the Association became the first in the state to create apprenticeship standards for Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting. What followed over the years was both unexpected and transformative, garnering interest from healthcare facilities across the nation. 

Today, InReach Career Pathways offers apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs that combine full-time employment with supplemental instruction, enabling participants to earn industry-recognized credentials in healthcare. InReach’s mission is to cultivate an equitable and sustainable community health workforce through innovative education and training. To date, over 80 healthcare organizations have partnered with InReach to host and hire apprentices.

As we reflect on InReach’s impact over the past decade, two achievements stand out:

1. The diversity of the healthcare workforce has significantly increased through on-the-job training opportunities. 
2. The future of healthcare is bright, with boundless opportunities ahead. 

InReach is proud to announce the launch of a new, highly anticipated program: the Medical Office Specialist (MOS) Apprenticeship Program. This program equips students with the skills needed to perform front-office and business support functions in healthcare. It follows a curriculum aligned with the medical administrative competencies outlined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and culminates in the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam through the National Healthcareer Association. 

The first cohort of the MOS program is set to begin in May 2025. Interested students and employer partners can visit our website to learn more and complete an interest form. Stay tuned for upcoming overview sessions, detailed program materials, and enrollment instructions. 

This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate the courage and determination of our apprentices and the unwavering support of our community partners. Their contributions have been instrumental in allowing InReach to reach this milestone: 10 years of innovation in workforce development. 

Together, we are shaping a stronger, more inclusive healthcare future.  

*InReach Graphic Showing accomplishments of Program*

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