By HMG
Today, Northeast State Community College and Holston Medical Group celebrated their new partnership by honoring new and current apprentices in the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) apprenticeship program. As part of HMG’s commitment to the quality of healthcare services in the Tri-Cities, it has joined forces with Northeast State to implement a new career path for local students to learn essential skills through combined classroom instruction and paid on-the-job learning (OJL).
Three HMG associates signed their apprenticeship contracts today at the college’s Regional Center for Health Professions in Kingsport, including Elisabeth Self, Kim Davis, and Kimberly Tignor.
“I am excited to sign on to HMG’s CCMA program today, providing me access to firsthand learning and classroom instruction while making an income on my journey to becoming a healthcare professional,” said Elisabeth Self. “I look forward to what’s to come and the long-term job possibilities with HMG, which will allow me to stay and serve our community following the program.”
Through time supporting HMG primary care and specialty care teams across the Tri-Cities, apprentices become prepared to pass the National Healthcareer Association’s CCMA examination and join the healthcare workforce as CCMA upon completion of the program. Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. CCMAs serve in a variety of functions that combine
office operations and patient procedures to align with the apprenticeship model’s three educational foundations: paid OJL, classroom learning, and mentorship. The program requires 2,000 OJL hours and the completion of 163 related technical instruction hours of coursework.
“Our opportunity with Northeast State Community College builds on HMG’s vision to reduce barriers to education and mentor the next generation of healthcare workers who will embody HMG’s high standards for high-quality, cost-effective, and accessible care that is valued by the region,” said Samantha Sizemore, chief operations officer at HMG. “We are proud to provide these patient-minded individuals with the ability to earn income while completing the program, simplifying the path for future healthcare workers and fostering economic development right here at home.”
After successfully completing OJL and related technical instruction, apprentices receive their certificate of completion from the Department of Labor. The certificate is recognized nationally across the healthcare industry. Additionally, apprentice candidates completing the program become eligible to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) test.
Northeast State worked with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship to create the Registered Apprenticeship program. As a DOL-registered apprenticeship sponsor, Northeast State provides the structure and processes for employers of all sizes to take advantage of this proven workforce development model.
“At Northeast State, we are committed to helping connect people to prosperity. By serving employers through apprenticeship programs, we can help make good on this commitment,” said Dr. Jeff McCord, president of Northeast State. “We are proud to partner with HMG and look forward to seeing the success of their apprentices. We are all cheering for them.”
Northeast State’s Office of Workforce Solutions established the CCMA apprenticeship pathway in 2023. HMG and Workforce Solutions also recognized four current apprentices who have successfully finished the National Healthcareer Association’s curriculum and exam program portion to be considered CCMAs. As the first to participate in the program, HMG associates Brittany Bowling, Blake Candler, Hannah Roberts, and Sarah McIver set a standard to inspire and prepare the next wave of students to serve their community.
“Under the experiential and financial support of HMG, I have learned how to coordinate patient scheduling, facilitate office visits, manage patient records like Electronic Health Records (EHR), and even assist with exams and procedures such as EKG, phlebotomy, and laboratory procedures,” said Blake Candler. “These hands-on lessons have been invaluable, and I feel prepared to be a part of a patient-centered healthcare team once I graduate.”
The healthcare field offers one of the leading areas of opportunity for career growth today. Within healthcare, medical assistants are among the most in-demand professionals. The NHA estimates that job openings for medical assistants are increasing by nine to 15 percent each year.