• Less commuting: No need to travel or move to another area to attend college
• Earn-as-you-learn: You can work full time and earn wages & benefits while completing the program
• Lower cost: Much cheaper than a community or charter college – your employer pays the tuition costs
• No previous medical or clinical experience necessary 
• Our program provides a comprehensive education and extensive hands-on experience in technical skills.
• Support and Guidance: There is lots of built-in support from InReach Staff, your course instructor, your coach/mentor, and others at your employer

The apprenticeship pathway is built so that anyone who joins can be successful in their training. Whether you’re a high school graduate, looking to change careers or just want to enhance your healthcare skills, we offer a supportive learning environment, individualized mentorship, and the chance to earn while you learn.

The cost for the program and books is typically covered by your employer. However, you would be responsible for any additional expenses such as:

• Transportation
• Scrubs
• Childcare
• Internet access

If you need assistance or additional support, please contact the InReach team.

It’s a lot of work. You must be very dedicated and committed in order to finish the program. The online coursework is designed to take about 10 hours/week, but may take more than that. There are also three in-person lab days required for all MA Apprentices. These are scheduled on Saturdays and are unpaid.

MA Apprenticeship: After completing this program, graduates will take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association. The CCMA is a national credential, and it is also one of four exams accepted in Washington State as a pre-requisite to get the Medical Assistant–Certified state credential. Successful program graduates who pass the test will obtain both a state credential (MA-C), which allows them to work at any public or private clinic in Washington State, and a national credential (CCMA), which is accepted by many (but not all) employers in other states.

DA Training Program: DA Trainees are not required to take any national certification exam. You could choose to pursue Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), thought it is paid for through the InReach program.

MA Apprentices in Washington State have the opportunity to co-enroll with Peninsula College to earn up to 58 college credits on a PC transcript at no cost to the apprentice. Apprentices can use these credits from the Apprenticeship Program toward electives required for an Associate of Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement degree.

Credits can also transfer to any of the professional or technical programs offered at community colleges throughout the state, giving you the flexibility to advance your career and education wherever you are!

We try to be as accommodating as possible. There is an Extended Leave Policy that outlines what is and isn’t allowed when a student needs to take time off. Most students can take a leave of absence anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months long and still complete the program with an extended completion timeline.

We try to be as accommodating as possible. There is an Extended Leave Policy that outlines what is and isn’t allowed when a student needs to take time off. Most students can take a leave of absence anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months long and still complete the program with an extended completion timeline.

InReach has several full-time employees dedicated to supporting this program. They stay in close contact with all apprentices and employers and can help resolve any program concerns. You can contact them any time with questions. They also send monthly progress reports to you and your coach to help you stay on track.

 The Course Instructor is also available any time to answer your questions about any technical skills you are learning. They review the online coursework and discussion posts and provide regular feedback to apprentices.

It depends on the licensing requirements of that state. We encourage you to research the Medical Assistant and/or Dental Assistant policies in that state.

It depends on the employer and what commitment contracts might be required – our program doesn’t track these. Reach out to your employer for more information.

You must have regular access to the internet and a computer or mobile device that can load Canvas. Canvas is functional on mobile devices but isn’t optimized for mobile.

MA Apprentices: No. Homework must be completed outside of work hours. If you take an unpaid break for lunch, you can work on your homework then.

 DA Trainees: This is an option, but you must first get approval by your employer.

Homework is to be completed by you outside of work hours. However, if you have questions about technical skills or procedures, your coach can offer guidance and assist you in working through those scenarios. Coaches also check your online progress and will discuss assignments with you throughout the program.

It is possible to do coursework using a smartphone or mobile device, but please know that our learning platform (Canvas) isn’t fully optimized for mobile. You may run into some difficulty reading assignments or navigating the course. To minimize these, we suggest keeping your device and app version up to date.

Yes, all modules must be completed before being eligible for the CCMA Exam. Typically, the final module for each cohort is instructions for taking the exam and applying for the license. This module still needs to be completed before being eligible for the CCMA Exam.

Yes, all boxes must be initialed and dated, and all the required signatures must be included before a Skill Log is accepted.

While there is some flexibility here, it’s not encouraged to do so since you need to keep pace with your cohort. If you have an emergency conflict with a lab day, contact our team.