Employers' Perspectives on the Use of Medical Assistant Apprenticeships: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Medical assistants (MAs) are among the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, yet health care employers report high turnover rates and difficulty filling MA positions. Employers are increasingly using apprenticeship to meet emerging workforce needs. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of 14 employers using registered MA apprenticeships in 8 states. The findings revealed motivations for using apprenticeship, perceived benefits to the organization, challenges with implementation, and reflections on successful implementation. We detail how MA apprenticeship is successfully meeting recruitment and training needs in a variety of health care organizations, especially where program support resources are available. © 2022 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Apprenticeship career development Health workforce Primary care allied health occupations medical assistant

Index Keywords

human Humans apprenticeship Article qualitative research motivation employer United States primary medical care occupation career health workforce workforce paramedical personnel Allied Health Personnel Turnover rate in service training Inservice Training health care organization medical assistant

Author Affiliations

Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States

University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States

Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States

Funding & Acknowledgements

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS

Grant: $450 000

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $450 000, with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the US government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov . https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage/acknowledge-hrsa-funding

Health Resources and Services Administration, HRSA

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $450 000, with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the US government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov . https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage/acknowledge-hrsa-funding

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Employers' Perspectives on the Use of Medical Assistant Apprenticeships: A Qualitative Study

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