Celebrating Success: Lesa Earns CCMA Certification!
- Sunshine Staff
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
At Sunshine Community Health Center, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our team members. Recently, Lesa successfully passed her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam—a huge accomplishment that reflects her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to providing excellent patient care.
So what exactly is a CCMA?A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is a healthcare professional trained to support physicians and providers in clinical settings. CCMAs perform a wide variety of tasks including taking vital signs, preparing patients for exams, administering medications, assisting with procedures, and performing basic lab tests. They bridge the gap between patients and providers, helping ensure visits are efficient, compassionate, and thorough.
For Lesa, earning this certification is more than a personal milestone—it’s a reflection of the opportunities available through Sunshine CHC’s workplace learning and apprenticeship programs in partnership with the Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA).
Learning While Working
Through the APCA Registered Apprenticeship Programs, staff can grow their careers while working alongside healthcare professionals—learning both academics and hands-on skills at the same time. These programs are designed to remove barriers for rural Alaskans by offering:
✅ Virtual classes – All courses are online, so apprentices can stay in their community while pursuing education.
✅ On-the-job learning – Apprentices gain thousands of hours of hands-on training under the mentorship of experienced healthcare staff.
✅ Grant-funded training – Thanks to state and federal support, programs are offered at no cost to participants or employers.
✅ Financial incentives – Apprentices receive wage increases halfway through and upon successful completion of the program.
Available Programs
The APCA currently offers eight apprenticeship programs to support healthcare career growth:
🩺 Clinical Medical Assistant – 52 weeks online, 3,000 hours of hands-on training.
🗂️ Medical Administrative Assistant – 27 weeks online, 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning.
💊 Pharmacy Technician – 37 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
😁 Dental Assistant – 41 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
🌱 Community Health Worker – 27 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
🤝 Direct Support Professional – 27 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
💻 Electronic Health Records Specialist – 24 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
📑 Billing & Coding Specialist – 42 weeks online, 2,000 hours of training.
Each program blends classroom instruction with real-world clinical or administrative practice, preparing staff to excel in their roles and advance their careers.
Investing in Our Team = Investing in Our Community
At Sunshine CHC, we believe that supporting our employees’ growth directly benefits the patients and families we serve. When our team members expand their skills, certifications, and knowledge, our entire community receives higher-quality care.
Lesa’s success is a shining example of how combining education with hands-on experience helps build a stronger, healthier Alaska. We are so proud of her accomplishment and look forward to celebrating many more success stories from our incredible staff, like this video showcasing Tammy's journey through the APCA program at Sunshine CHC.
👉 Interested in growing your career in healthcare? Learn more about the APCA Registered Apprenticeship Programs here and ask us how Sunshine CHC can support your journey.
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (CARE)
*This article was written with the support of AI*
