Medical Assistant Apprentice

The Medical Assistant (MA) Apprenticeship Program at

Seattle Roots Community Health

In partnership with the Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers, Seattle Roots started our MA Apprenticeship Program in Spring of 2021. This is a work-based “earn while you learn” training program with full-time work hours, benefits, paid tuition, and a guaranteed position with Seattle Roots as a Medical Assistant. Seattle Rots MA Apprenticeship program includes classroom instruction, one-on-one mentoring by experienced MAs, hands-on training and experience, and skills required to achieve the MA-Certified credential.

We are looking for MA Apprentice candidates interested in learning and making a positive impact in the health of the community for our October 2026 program cohort. Apprentices will be selected by October 6th and will need to be prepared for an October 26th start date. 

Job Summary 

The MA Apprentice will be trained to provide support to the providers and nurses in the delivery of care, with responsibilities that include greeting patients, managing provider schedule and patient flow, collecting and documenting patient medical history, and providing appropriate information to patients and families. We are looking for candidates to support the organization’s mission to provide high quality, caring, culturally appropriate primary care that addresses the needs of people regardless of their ability to pay.

Commitment

• Perform the work of the occupation diligently and faithfully during the term of apprenticeship, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the apprenticeship standards
• Complete 2000 hours of on-the-job training (paid) with the support and guidance of an experienced one- on-one Medical Assistant Coach
• Complete 410 hours of supplemental online coursework (unpaid)
• Attend 3 in-person lab days with an expert instructor to practice and demonstrate mastery of hands-on technical skills
• Complete and submit all required skills logs, course work and assignments
• Successfully perform the required number of skills repetitions under observation of Medical Assistant Coach/Supervisor
• May perform skills independently after having been checked off on a skill by both the Coach and Instructor
• Over the course of the program and upon becoming a Medical Assistant – Certified, employee will be assigned to work at Seattle Roots medical clinic locations

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service in accordance with the organization’s values
• Collaboratively work with an interdisciplinary team to provide quality patient care
• Proactively review clinic schedules and obtain all necessary information prior to patients’ appointment, this includes, but not limited to, requesting outside medical records and imaging reports
• Activity monitor patient flow for both in-person and telehealth appointments
• Accurately obtain and document patient vital signs. Notify abnormal vital sign to appropriate personnel, including Provider, Nursing, or Management staff
• Elicit and document presenting chief complaints and update medical and contact information in the Electronic Medical Record
• Provide support for providers and nursing staff
• Assist with helping newly hired staff during the onboarding process and allowing them to shadow as requested
• Assist newly hired staff as directed by the Manager/ Supervisors request. Work with Manger/Supervisor to help coordinate training during the onboarding period
• Provide clear instructions to patients regarding any ordered vaccines, medications, diagnostics studies, procedures, and/or clinic exams
• Complete assigned tasks such as in-basket messages, refill requests, responding to outside facility requests, and any other patient related task
• Assist with completion of ordered procedures such as EKG, Spirometry, Nebulizer Treatment, Audiometry, Tympanometry, Ear Lavage, NST, Rapid HIV Testing, and visual acuity exam in a timely manner
• Assist with processing and completing internal and external referrals per provider
• Administration of injections to adult and pediatric patients
• Properly clean and disinfect exam rooms after each use with approved products
• Assist with the sterilization of instruments, per clinic guidelines
• Always ensure exam rooms are stocked with appropriate medical supplies
• Assist with opening and closing responsibilities, as assigned
• Provide coverage for clinic personnel break periods and at all locations (Country Doctor Community Clinic, Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, and After-Hours Clinic), as needed
• Ability to cross train inter-departmentally (e.g. Lab, Referral Coordinator, Medical Records, Call Center, and Reception)
• Maintain a clean work environment
• Participate in all staff meetings, the staff evaluation process, and quality improvement activities, including daily morning huddles
• Participate in the organization’s endorsed events, such as health fairs
• Ability to cover other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent
• Treat patients and staff in accordance with the mission statement and philosophy
• Ability to interact and work well with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Perform clinical and non-clinical duties with proper training—ability to maintain or improve performance as deemed necessary
• Obtain presenting complaint and pertinent history
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills
• Maintain professional attire and grooming
• Able to be organized and coordinate multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn and use the EMR
• Have a flexible schedule to meet clinic needs with advanced notice
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google products and working on PCs
• Preferred: bilingual (English/Spanish) 

Supervision: This position is supervised by the MA Manager. You will also be assigned a Coach throughout the program.

Union: During your time as a Medical Assistant Apprentice, you will not hold a Union represented position. However, as soon as you are hired into the Medical Assistant role, you will become part of a SEIU 1199NW.

Salary: This is a non-exempt, hourly, 40-hour-a-week, full-time position.  The starting wage will be $20.76 per hour during the course of the program with full-time employee benefits, paid tuition with a 2-year employment commitment, and a guaranteed position with Seattle Roots as a Medical Assistant. Upon successful completion of the program and successfully pass the State test for Medical Assistant Certification, Employee will be on MA pay scale at step 0. You must be able to work 40 hours a week. 

Benefits

You will be eligible for robust suite of benefits, including the choice of three medical plans, two dental plans, long-term disability, life, and other insurance programs. You’ll have access to flexible spending accounts, a subsidy of up to 80% of the cost of an ORCA pass, plus an additional match of 50% of the employee's contribution up to 4% after one year of employment. (Ex. if employee contributes at 4%, Seattle Roots will match with an additional 2%, plus the safe harbor contribution totaling a 9% contribution to the employee's 401k) We’ve got you covered!

Salary : $21