Strengthening Patient Care by Building the Workforce 

When patients enter an exam room with an illness or injury, bedside manner can make a huge difference in their perception of their care. In those moments, a little familiarity can go a long way. Thanks to our Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program, the first face a patient sees is likely to be a familiar one.

"We're bringing people in from our community, and they already understand what it is like for their patients," - Jashay Ornelas, Clinic Nurse Supervisor

Many of the people training in our Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program, launched in 2023 in partnership with InReach Career Pathways, come from the same communities they go on to serve. They understand life in the communities surrounding the clinic, the challenges local families can face, and what health care means in places where patients often know their care teams by name.

Our Medical Assistants play an important role in patient care. They take vital signs, gather medical histories, prepare exam rooms, assist providers during procedures, help coordinate follow-up care, and support patients through every stage of a visit.

For apprentice Jeni Lara, that personal work stands out the most.

“Here it's different. It's really about showing that you care and letting patients know they’re in good hands from the start."

The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program, based out of Walla Walla, trains MAs across 12 clinics in Washington to provide a full year of hands-on clinical experience. Their work alongside experienced medical assistants, nurses, and providers gives apprentices the opportunity to build both technical skills and confidence in caring for their communities.

The program was launched as community health centers across the region faced a growing shortage of medical assistant applicants. Rather than relying solely on outside recruitment, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC) looked for ways to help local residents pursue careers in health care while meeting the growing need for care teams.

Since the first cohort began in 2023, 41 apprentices have completed the program, and nearly two-thirds have gone on to begin their careers as Certified Medical Assistants at YVFWC clinics.

Patients may never know which members of their care team came through the apprenticeship program. What they'll remember is feeling welcomed, supported, and understood during their visit. Increasingly, that experience is being shaped by people who know these communities because they call them home, too.