Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program

2026 Medical Assistant Training Programs

Applications are now open for our 2026 Fall Programs!

Programs are available in classrooms in Lebanon and Bedford, NH, with full‑time employment at a Dartmouth Health Clinic in the surrounding region of each classroom.

The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program begins with 12 weeks of paid classroom instruction and skills training to provide the foundational knowledge and certification needed to work as a medical assistant in a Dartmouth Health Clinic.

At the conclusion of the 12‑week program, trainees sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and then work full‑time in the clinic as a Medical Assistant Apprentice to gain on‑the‑job experience while completing a required 2,000‑hour Registered Apprenticeship with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Program & Job Placement Locations

The Medical Assistant Program is offered in two classroom locations, Bedford and Lebanon, NH. At the time you apply, you’ll select the classroom location that will place you in the region that best aligns with your full‑time employment needs.

Bedford candidates are applying for full‑time roles in one of the more southern New Hampshire Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics located in:

• Manchester, NH
• Nashua, NH
• Concord, NH

Lebanon candidates are applying for full‑time roles at clinics in central New Hampshire and Vermont, specifically:

• Alice Peck Day Multi‑Specialty Clinics, Lebanon, NH
• Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics, Lebanon, NH (includes Lyme and Hanover)
• Mt. Ascutney Health Center, Windsor, VT
• Newport Health Center, Newport, NH
• Ottaquechee Health Center, Woodstock, VT
• Valley Regional Hospital Clinics, Claremont, NH

Note: Specific clinic openings vary by each training program based on available/open positions.

Interested candidates should submit a location‑specific DHCI Program Application, either Bedford or Lebanon.

Qualifying candidates will have the opportunity to interview with DHCI program staff and representatives from hiring clinics in the specific region. If an offer to join the program is extended, it includes both a spot in the training program and a full‑time role at a specific Dartmouth Health Clinic upon completion of the training program.

Training seats are limited to 20 per cohort per classroom location. The training program is offered twice per year, starting in mid‑September and mid‑March. We are currently accepting applications for the September programs; please see the timelines below for more details.

Note: Applicants should be available to participate in the dates listed above by program.

The Role of a Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants (MAs) are valued members of the clinic care team. As an MA, you will work in a fast‑paced, wide‑ranging role guided by patient care and safety. You will welcome each patient into the clinic, setting the stage for a comfortable, efficient, and supportive experience during their time with you and as they interact with each member of their care team.

Clinical teams count on MAs to maintain clinic flow by efficiently and accurately rooming patients in a high‑volume environment. Duties may include obtaining vital signs, administering immunizations, and completing necessary point‑of‑care tests such as EKGs, bladder scans, throat swabs, and urinalysis dipsticks. Additionally, MAs maintain supply inventory, update electronic health records, follow up with patients as directed by nurses and providers, and perform other duties as needed.

MAs must have a strong work ethic, be flexible with scheduling, maintain a high level of professionalism, and be able to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.

Eligible medical assistants receive a $2,500 sign‑on/retention bonus; some conditions apply. Ask a program representative for details.

All program participants are Dartmouth Health employees, making you eligible for benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; short‑ and long‑term disability; paid time off; and retirement plans.

Did You Know?

Training program participants are co‑enrolled as Colby Sawyer College (CSC) students when they begin the program. Upon successful completion of the 12‑week training program, you’ll earn 22 college credits at no cost.

During your 2,000‑hour apprenticeship, you’re eligible to enroll in 4 elective CSC courses at no cost, earning an additional 21 credits toward your Associate in Science and Health Sciences (ASHS).