The following colleges provide training for the MARAP program:

• Grand Rapids Community College
• Muskegon Community College

The following health providers are participating in MARAP:

• Mercy Health (Muskegon and Grand Rapids)
• Mary Free Bed
• Spectrum Health (current employees only)

The traditional Medical Assistant track typically requires you to attend classes full time followed by job search once you apply and receive your MA certification. This Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program (MARAP) combines part-time paid work experience and classroom learning.

As a participant in a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program:

• you can immediately apply your classroom learning and new skills in a work setting.
• you will graduate with a Department of Labor (DOL) certification as well as your Medical Assistant (MA) certification.

The MA program is a full-time commitment.  You will be required to work part time (24 hours) for one of the participating employers and attend school part time (16 hours).  Working additional hours or maintaining a second job is not recommended.

No experience is required, however, we recommend that you research the job duties and career pathway options of a Medical Assistant before you commit to the program. If you are not sure if healthcare is a good fit for you, please attend one of our free Career Exploration workshops to learn more about who you are and what transferable skills you may already have.

• Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion (from a participating college)
• Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the US Department of Labor
• You will qualify to earn a national industry-recognized credential by sitting for the Registered Medical Assistant certification exam

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must pass a criminal background check

All MARAP participants are expected to:

• Arrive to class and work on time
• Follow attendance policy for the employer and school
  • Follow vaccination policy for employer and school
• Maintain satisfactory grades per the employer’s expectations and the school’s policy
• Maintain a high level of professionalism
• Effectively manage homework, work schedule and personal obligations
• Commit to work with the employer for a specified period of time after completing the apprenticeship program (length of commitment may vary by employer)

You may be responsible to pay back costs incurred by the employer if:

• you elect not to finish the community college program or
• you elect not to continue working for the employer for the length of time specified.

The Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program is made up of:

• 16 hours a week in the classroom
• 24 hours a week of paid work experience

Yes, you will get paid for the 24 hours/week work experience.

MARAP is a one year, full-time commitment. Apprentices are expected to follow attendance policy for the employer and school, arriving to work and school on time.

You are responsible for making your own arrangements for child care before the start of the program. If you need assistance with securing child care, talk with a West Michigan Works! career coach to obtain information/referral to assist you in your child care search.

The full cost of the program is covered by scholarships and/or employer contributions for students attending Grand Rapids Community College and/or Muskegon Community College. You may be responsible for minimal uniform and parking fees. Student may be responsible for all or some of the tuition cost if they do not fulfill the commitment requirement of the employer.

Wages will vary by employer. However, newly enrolled apprentices in the MARAP will start at no less than $11.20/hour and complete the program at no less than $13.00/hour.

EMR (Introductory) | Scheduling | Handwashing/PPE | Temperature | Pulse Oximeter | Nebulizer | Obtaining sputum specimen | Administering O2 through Nasal Cannula | Injections | Medications/Dose Calculations | Pap and Pelvic Exam Set Up | Telephone Triage | Lifts and Transfers | Catheterization | Phlebotomy | Inventory | More Advanced EMR | Pediatric Vital Signs | Autoclave/Sanitizing Equipment | EKG | Sterile Technique | Charts, Documentation | Insurance/Billing/Coding/Basic Accounting | Teaching for use of Assistive Devices | Glucometer | Ear Irrigation | CLIA Logs | Throat Swab & Strep Tests | Nasal Swab & A/B flu | Urine Clean Catch and Dipstick | Basic Rooming – Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Pulse, Growth Charts, Chief Complaint

The application process is available at marap.westmiworks.org. The application period will remain open until February 11, 2022.

You can find information about the program and application online at marap/westmiworks.org.

You can also contact a West Michigan Works! service center in your area and ask to speak to a career navigator about the MARAP program. They will be able to answer questions about the process.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass a criminal background check

NOTE: This is a competitive application process.  Only those individuals who have met the following requirements will be considered:

• Submitted a complete application
• Met the enrollment requirements of the community college
• Completed a career portfolio
  

West Michigan Works! partners with local employers and community colleges to recruit qualified candidates, verify that applicants have a completed career portfolio and can assist with removing employment barriers.

Pure Michigan Talent Connect is an online portal that connects Michigan’s job seekers and employers. All MARAP candidates will need to create an account before attending workshops, completing assessments and meeting with a career coach.

Grand Rapids Community College has the following assessment requirements:

• Pass a 3 minute typing assessment with scores of 40 WPM with 95% accuracy
• WorkKeys/NCRC minimum score: 4 (Silver Level)
• Pass Computer Literacy Assessment in the following four areas: basic computer, world wide web, Windows, and Email

Muskegon Community College has the following assessment requirements:

• Pass a 3 minute typing assessment with scores of 35 WPM with 95% accuracy.
• In lieu of a college entrance exam, Muskegon Community College has put in place a mandatory meeting with the program director. This meeting will not determine your acceptance into the program but will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and seek clarification on program requirements and expectations.
• Pass Computer Literacy Assessment in the following four areas: basic computer, world wide web, Windows, and email.

WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that measures the real-world skills that employers believe are critical to job success. WorkKeys helps employers select, hire and train the most qualified candidate. Taking the WorkKeys test is an important step in preparing for your personal training or career goal.

Visit the ACT FAQs for more information >

The WorkKeys assessments are not pass or fail but you will need to achieve the minimum level for Workplace Documents, Graphic Literacy and Applied Mathematics as part of the college admittance for Grand Rapids Community College.  West Michigan Works! can issue a practice module and schedule a time for you to retake the deficient assessment.

You can practice as many time as you would like by clicking on the free test below.  There is no limit to how many times you take the assesment to achieve the minimum word and accuracy levels required by the community college during your scheduled West Michigan Works! career coach meeting. Take the typing test >

Career portfolios are used to plan, organize and document education, work samples and skills. People use career portfolios to apply to jobs; apply to college or training programs; get a higher salary; show transferable skills and track personal development.

Your career portfolio is portable. Once you have the basic foundation, you can continue to add to it as you move through your career pathway. A career portfolio is a requirement for entrance consideration into the MARAP program.  If you should not be selected, Michigan Works! may be able to help you secure other employment opportunities by means of your portfolio.

Career Portfolio basic components:

• Resume and Cover Letter
• References
• Career Pathway Plan/Career Coaching
• Certificate of Completion for College Entrance Assessments
• Computer & Typing Proficiency
• Earned Credentials if Applicable 

For the MARAP program we recommend:

• Resume Makeover to help you start or refine your resume
• Introduction to Interviewing to help you get prepared for your employer interview
• Career Exploration if you want to see if being a Medical Assistant is right for you

All West Michigan Works! workshops are free.  The workshops can help you develop or enhance your job search. View workshop calendars >

The West Michigan Works! career coach will help you

• develop a career pathway in the healthcare field
• identify your transferable skills and work values
• ensure that you are prepared for employer interviews

West Michigan Works! may also be able to provide you with continued career coaching or help you select another career if you should not be chosen for the MARAP program.

A career pathway is a collection of programs and services to develop your core academic, technical and employability skills. It provides continuous education, training and placement in high-demand, high-opportunity jobs.

Acceptance offers will go out at the end of March 2022.

Yes, you will commit to work with the employer for a specified period of time after completing the apprenticeship program. The length of commitment may vary by employer.
You may be responsible to pay back costs incurred by the employer if:

• You elect not to finish the community college program, or
• You elect not to continue working for the employer for the length of time specified upon completion of the apprenticeship program

West Michigan Works! offers services to assist with career navigation, employer connections, free workshops, interest assessments, remedial testing and more! Please make sure you visit our centers for more information. Services are free and open to the public.

College classes and work begin May 13, 2022.