CommonSpirit Health Apprenticeship Program
We’re partnering with high schools, colleges and workforce centers from across the region to raise awareness about the demand for health care professionals. Our apprenticeships offer an immersive “earn while you learn” training and coursework experience to prepare students for success in a professional role upon program completion. If you are interested in learning more, please email us.
Medical Assistant Apprentice Program
Launch your career in healthcare with our 6-month, hands-on MA Apprenticeship Program. This program prepares you to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Health Career Association and includes online learning plus on-site labs at your local community college.
While completing the program through Arapahoe or Front Range Community College, you’ll be employed as a Medical Assistant Apprentice, gaining paid, real-world experience alongside your studies. We’ll contribute $2,500 toward tuition in exchange for a 13-month employment commitment after program completion.
As a Medical Assistant, you’ll work closely with providers in mostly outpatient settings. This vital role will be supporting both administrative and clinical care. You’ll greet patients, manage records, and assist with exams, procedures, and tests. The program requires a High School Diploma or GED, along with a commitment of 30–60 hours per week, including 12–32 hours in the clinic, 8+ hours of campus labs and lectures, and 10+ hours of online coursework.
Sterile Processing Apprentice Program
Start your career in surgical services with our 6-month paid apprenticeship in partnership with Front Range Community College (FRCC). The program combines coursework, on-site labs, and hands-on experience in a real Sterile Processing Department. You’ll learn to clean, sterilize, and prepare surgical instruments in accordance with IAHCSMM national standards. We’ll cover $3,000 of tuition with a 12-month work commitment after completion.
Sterile Processing Technicians are essential to patient safety. This role is responsible for decontaminating, sterilizing, organizing, preparing and distributing surgical instruments and medical equipment.
Applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED, obtain CRCST or CSPDT certification within 18 months of hire, and complete facility orientation within 30 days of employment. The program requires a commitment of up to 60 hours per week, including 8 hours of classroom or lab instruction, 40 hours in the sterile processing department, and 10 hours of online learning.
Pharmacy Technician Apprentice Program
Start your pharmacy career with our 6-month paid apprenticeship in partnership with Front Range Community College. While completing your training, you’ll be employed by CommonSpirit Health and prepared to take the Certified Pharmacy Technician Exam through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
As a Pharmacy Technician Apprentice, you’ll support pharmacists by preparing medications, maintaining records, and ensuring an organized, efficient pharmacy operation. All applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. The program requires 30–50 hours per week, including 16–20 hours working in the pharmacy, up to 8 hours of campus labs or lectures, and 12+ hours of self-paced online learning on nights and weekends. We’ll cover $3,000 of tuition with a 13-month work commitment after completion.
Medical Lab Tech Apprenticeship Program
Begin your lab career with our paid 12-month MLT Apprenticeship. You’ll be employed by CommonSpirit Health while completing your accredited training through Arapahoe Community College. Apprentices work 10 paid hours per week in the lab, along with virtual classes and online coursework.
Medical Lab Technicians perform vital tests on patient samples to help diagnose and prevent illness—analyzing body fluids, tissues, and other substances under the supervision of a Medical Laboratory Scientist or lab manager. This program requires a High School Diploma or GED and a commitment of up to 40 hours per week, including 10+ hours in the lab, plus virtual and online coursework.
We’ll contribute $3,000 toward tuition with a 12-month work commitment after completion. (Pre-requisite courses not included; workforce centers may offer additional support.)
Before starting the apprenticeship, students must complete 25 credits of general education courses through Arapahoe Community College (ACC) or transfer in equivalent coursework completed within the past five years. All classes are offered online through ACC/CCC Online at in-state tuition rates (less COF). Please consult Arapahoe Community College to confirm completed prerequisites or transfer eligibility. For questions, contact Amanda Olmedo at 303-797-5908.
Surgical Technician Apprentice Program
The 2-year Surgical Technician Apprentice Program combines four semesters of education through Front Range Community College with hands-on apprenticeship experience. With summer classes, the program can be completed in under two years.
Students must complete three semesters of coursework before beginning their paid apprenticeship in the fourth semester. After successful completion and passing the certification exam, apprentices are hired as Certified Surgical Technicians.
Surgical Technicians assist in the operating room, anticipating surgeons’ needs, preparing and organizing instruments, handing tools during procedures, and sterilizing the operating room afterward. Apprentices gain hands-on experience across a variety of surgical cases.
All applicants must have a High School Diploma or GED. The program requires a 40–50 hour per week commitment for classes, work, and test preparation, and includes an 18-month employment commitment following program completion.
Tuition Assistance
The remaining balance after our financial contribution (listed above per program) is the responsibility of the Apprentice. There are opportunities for tuition assistance through the Workforce Centers, Federal Student Aid, and tuition reimbursement for our associates.
Please contact local workforce centers for guidance and additional information.
Benefits Eligibility
Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, and Medical Lab Tech apprentices are not eligible for benefits while completing the program. Once these apprentices move into certified, full-time roles, they are eligible for benefits.
Sterile Processing & Surgical Tech apprentices are eligible for benefits while they are in the program.
Equal Opportunity
CommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click here [PDF].
CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c). External hires must pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with an arrest and/or conviction will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, ban the box laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (415) 438-5575 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). CommonSpirit Health™ participates in E-Verify.