Marshall Medical Center Creates Local Workforce Pipeline With New Medical Assisting School
Facing ongoing health care workforce shortages across Northern California, Marshall Medical Center has launched a new training program aimed at building a local pipeline of medical professionals in El Dorado County.
The Marshall School of Medical Assisting, developed in partnership with the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE), began accepting students in January 2024. The program is designed to prepare local residents for careers as medical assistants while helping regional health providers meet growing patient demand.
Based at Marshall’s Cameron Park campus, the training program offers hands-on instruction in both administrative and clinical skills commonly used in physicians’ offices and outpatient clinics. Students receive instruction in patient care, laboratory procedures, medical documentation, and medication administration.
Graduates of the program become eligible to take the California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) and other national certification exams, allowing them to pursue employment in clinics and health systems across the region.
Marshall officials say the initiative was created in direct response to the growing strain on the region’s health care system.
“Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing health care providers today,” “By training residents locally, we’re investing in a sustainable workforce that can serve our community for years to come.”
said Marshall Medical Center CEO Siri Nelson in a statement about the program.
Training Local Residents for Local Jobs
The program is structured to enroll about 20 students per cohort, with two cohorts scheduled annually. Officials say this steady training cycle is designed to gradually expand the pool of qualified medical assistants available to clinics and hospitals throughout El Dorado County.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete a Medical Terminology course offered through EDCOE before beginning the program.
The current program cost is $5,900, though several funding and financial assistance options are available through workforce development programs and adult education partnerships.
Enrollment typically opens during specific registration cycles, including January sessions for spring cohorts and mid-year enrollment periods for later classes.
Part of Marshall’s Broader Expansion
The medical assisting program is launching alongside Marshall Medical Center’s broader expansion efforts aimed at increasing access to health care services in the region.
In August 2025, the hospital system opened a $26 million specialty medical facility in El Dorado Hills, a project intended to help meet rising demand for specialty care and outpatient services as the county’s population grows.
Local education and health leaders say programs like the Marshall School of Medical Assisting represent a practical response to both workforce shortages and community demand for stable, well-paying careers in health care.
Officials from EDCOE say the partnership also reflects a growing trend of health systems working directly with education providers to develop career pathways tied to local employment opportunities.
More information about the program and enrollment details can be found through Marshall Medical Center and the El Dorado County Office of Education’s adult education programs.
