Edison State Community College partners with Wilson Health for medical assistant apprenticeship program

Edison State Community College and Wilson Health have partnered for a new opportunity for individuals who wish to enter into an entry-level medical assistant career. The Earn and Learn Apprenticeship for Medical Assistants will allow employees of Wilson Health to receive on-the-job medical assistant training while attending Edison State Community College for the classroom learning component. These two learning methods will prepare participants to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants.

According to an article on Edison State Community College’s website, Yvonne Koors, who serves as the college’s Associate Professor of Medical Assisting and Director of the Medical Assistant program, was quoted as saying of the benefits of the apprenticeship program, “The apprenticeship partnership between Wilson Health and Edison State will provide an opportunity to those hired through Wilson Health to gain the education and practical experience needed to master the skills of an entry-level medical assistant and help strengthen the workforce across the Miami Valley region.”

Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, performing both administrative and clinical tasks, such as appointment scheduling, managing medical records, assisting with examinations, and more. 

An apprenticeship program is a benefit to employers, like WIlson Health, as they will be able to tailor their employee’s learning to suit their needs. In the partnership, Edison State Community College will provide participants with classroom instruction and Wilson Health will provide the on-the-job training. Those who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Sarah Burmeister, Vice President of People Services at Wilson Health, said, “At Wilson Health, we are committed to building strong workforce pipelines that create opportunities for individuals to grow meaningful careers in health care while supporting the needs of our community. Partnering with Edison State on this Medical Assistant Apprenticeship allows us to invest in hands-on training, professional development, and the future of health care in our region.”

Brandi Olberding, who serves as the Edison State Assistant Dean of Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning, noted, “This program allows participants to gain valuable hands-on training in real-world health care settings. Unlike traditional educational pathways, apprenticeships offer students the opportunity to earn a wage while they learn. This financial support can help alleviate the financial burden of education and living expenses.”

For more information about Edison State Community College, visit the school’s website.