1 in 5
Surgical technologist positions sitting open, the highest vacancy rate of the six allied health roles surveyed
Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association employer survey, 2026
Your Next Hire May Already Be on Staff
Stop competing for allied health talent. Develop it instead. Health Tech Academy delivers the training across in-demand allied health roles, you provide the on-the-job hours, and you end up with staff trained to your standards.
- In-demand allied health career pathways
- Online instruction that fits around your shift patterns
- State apprenticeship funding may offset part of the cost
Why your Allied Health Roles Stay Open
Most departments are hiring from the same small pool. The posting goes up, the agency rate goes up, and the role is still open months later. Meanwhile the work still has to get done.
Recruiting harder does not grow that pool. Training and upskilling does.
7 to 18
Workers employers need to hire for every one new graduate the education pipeline produces
MassINC analysis of employer survey and IPEDS data, 2026
$13,200
Estimated cost each time one surgical technologist leaves and has to be replaced
Estimate from BLS May 2024 median wages using NSI turnover-cost method
Building Internal Talent with a Healthcare Apprenticeship Program
An apprenticeship is a structured earn-while-you-learn pathway. Your apprentice is your employee from day one, earning a wage and working supervised shifts in your department. Alongside that, they complete the related technical instruction that qualifies them for the role.
It is how employers have historically developed staff when hiring could not keep up. The difference now is that you do not have to develop or deploy the training yourself.
On-the-job training
You provide hands-on training in the workplace. Apprentices gain practical experience while developing the skills their occupation requires.
Related instruction
We deliver the required related instruction through our online course library, building the knowledge that reinforces their workplace learning.
Skill development and credential
As apprentices progress, they build occupational competency and work toward completion and an industry-recognized credential.
- Develop new talent around the skills and expectations of your organization
- Upskill current employees and create opportunities for career advancement
- Strengthen your talent pipeline by preparing workers for in-demand healthcare roles
- Support workforce retention by investing in employee development
How our Apprenticeship Program Works
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1
Identify your hiring need
Confirm your current and anticipated openings.
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2
Identify your apprentice
Hire someone new, or select an existing employee ready to move up.
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3
Train and develop
They complete our online instruction while gaining supervised on-the-job training with your team.
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4
Develop competency
They demonstrate the skills the occupation requires.
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5
Build your pipeline
Repeat it for the next opening.
A Partnership Built Around Your Needs
Health Tech Academy offers two ways to partner with employers. Whether you need an apprenticeship sponsor or a related instruction provider, we can support your workforce development goals.
Model one
HTA as your apprenticeship sponsor
You provide the hands-on training. We help manage the pathway.
For employers looking to participate in an apprenticeship program, HTA serves as the apprenticeship sponsor. We provide an established program framework and support the key responsibilities, which makes the process more accessible and manageable.
Your organization provides
- Paid employment and on-the-job training
- Hands-on workplace learning and skill development
- Qualified staff to guide apprentice development
HTA provides
- Apprenticeship sponsorship and program framework
- Required related instruction through our online course library
- Apprentice enrollment and tracking support
- Program documentation and compliance support
- Department of Labor coordination
Model two
HTA as your related instruction provider
You sponsor the program. We provide the online instruction.
Already sponsoring your own Registered Apprenticeship program? HTA can partner with your organization as your related instruction provider. You keep responsibility for sponsorship, program standards and on-the-job training, and we deliver the required related instruction through our online healthcare course library.
Your organization manages
- Apprenticeship sponsorship and program standards
- On-the-job training and workplace development
- Program administration and apprentice tracking
HTA provides
- Online related instruction through our course library
- Healthcare-focused learning resources
- Instruction that complements your apprenticeship's on-the-job training
Either way, you are not building or managing a new training program. We have already built it.
In-Demand Allied Health Apprenticeship Pathways
Every pathway follows the same model. Pick the roles you are struggling to fill.
Flagship
Surgical Technologist apprenticeship program
For facilities with recurring surgical technologist openings. Your apprentice completes the instruction online while scrubbing supervised cases with your team. Existing sterile processing staff are often the strongest candidates, since they already know your instruments and your workflow.
Prepares for NRST and TS-C
Flagship
Sterile Processing Technician apprenticeship
For departments carrying tray backlogs and persistent vacancies. Apprentices learn decontamination, inspection, assembly and sterilisation to standard while working in your SPD, which is usually the fastest route to a stable department.
Prepares for CRCST
Medical Assistant apprenticeship program
For clinics and practices where front line turnover is the constraint. Apprentices build clinical and administrative competency on your floor and in your systems.
Prepares for CCMA
Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship
For pharmacy teams carrying vacancies they cannot fill locally. Apprentices learn your workflow while working supervised shifts.
Prepares for CPhT
Dental Assistant apprenticeship
For practices that would rather develop chairside staff than keep recruiting them.
Prepares for RDA
This fits best if you
- Have recurring openings in one or more allied health roles
- Are finding it hard to source qualified candidates
- Already hire entry level healthcare staff
- Would rather develop talent internally than keep competing for it
- Want a structured approach to workforce development
- Are working to strengthen your allied health pipeline
Frequent Questions from Employers
Which roles can we run an apprenticeship for?
Five: Surgical Technologist, Sterile Processing Technician, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician and Dental Assistant. You can run more than one at a time.
Do we have to use HTA as our apprenticeship sponsor?
No. If you already sponsor your own Registered Apprenticeship program, we can act as your related instruction provider only. If you do not sponsor one, we can serve as the sponsor and you provide the on-the-job training.
How long does a healthcare apprenticeship take?
Program length depends on the occupation and on whether the apprentice is full time. We will give you the exact structure for your chosen pathway on the first call.
Do we have to pay the apprentice?
Yes. An apprentice is your employee and earns a wage from day one. That is what separates an apprenticeship from a student placement.
Who supervises the apprentice?
You do. You name a Preceptor in your department who oversees their supervised hours and signs off competencies. We provide the framework they work to.
Can we use an existing employee instead of hiring someone new?
Often the better option. A reliable employee in a support role who wants to move up already knows your facility, and is far less likely to leave once qualified.
Do we need to become a registered apprenticeship sponsor ourselves?
No. Under our sponsor model we carry sponsorship, program documentation, compliance support and Department of Labor coordination. If you would rather sponsor it yourself, we provide the related instruction instead.
What does it cost us?
Cost depends on the pathway and the number of apprentices, and state funding may offset part of it. We will give you a clear figure on the first call.
Let's See if an Apprenticeship Program Fits your Team
Tell us which roles you are struggling to fill and we will walk you through what an apprenticeship would look like at your organization. No obligation, and you will leave the call knowing whether it is worth pursuing.
For Employers
Request apprenticeship program info
Tell us about your organization and we will send program details plus next steps.
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