Cone Health Tackles Medical Assistant Staffing Shortage

The health system created a paid training program for internal staff to combat high job vacancy rates.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Nursing Jobs

Cone Health Tackles Medical Assistant Staffing Shortage

Live Poll

Do you support employer-funded job training programs to address industry-wide staffing shortages?

Cone Health developed a paid training program to address recruitment challenges after experiencing a 50% vacancy rate for medical assistants in 2022. The initiative allows current employees with six months of tenure to transition into clinical roles.

Why it matters

This program serves as a strategic response to a nationwide healthcare staffing crisis, where 44% of the United States currently reports large vacancy rates for medical assistants. By upskilling internal talent, the system aims to stabilize its workforce.

The system reported a 50% vacancy rate for medical assistants in 2022, significantly higher than the 44% national vacancy rate. Since its launch, the program has produced 146 graduates who achieved a 100% certification pass rate.

The players

Cone Health

This is a healthcare system that operates multiple facilities and provides clinical services to the Greensboro community.

Virginia-Ann Dockery

She is a professional with 30 years of experience in the medical field who contributes to the healthcare system.

Donquashia Martin

She is an individual who joined the internal training program in 2022 to transition into a medical assistant role.

The details

The program provides hands-on clinical training to eligible employees, covering essential skills such as EKG administration, injections, and point-of-care testing. Applicants must have completed at least six months of service within the organization to qualify for the training.

In 2022, Cone Health experienced a 50% vacancy rate for certified medical assistants.
Donquashia Martin enrolled in the training program in 2022.
The training program has produced 146 graduates over the past four years.

Market Landscape

This program reflects a broader trend of health systems internalizing workforce development to combat the nationwide medical assistant shortage. By prioritizing internal upskilling, Cone Health positions itself to maintain operational stability against a backdrop of industry-wide staffing competition.

Local patients may benefit from more consistent care availability as the health system fills critical clinical vacancies. Employees at the facility gain a potential pathway to advance their careers into clinical roles without leaving their current employer.

The takeaway

Upskilling existing staff can be a highly effective strategy for organizations struggling to fill roles in a tight labor market. Employees looking for career growth should check their organization for similar internal certification opportunities.