MGMA Business Solutions: Building a Strong CMA Pipeline With U.S. Career Institute

On this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams speaks with Rob Fershtman, Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships at U.S. Career Institute. With more than a decade of experience helping healthcare organizations strengthen their pipelines for Certified Medical Assistants and other essential roles, Fershtman shares strategies for addressing staffing shortages, creating flexible education pathways and building long-term retention in medical practices. Key Takeaways:[05:41] - Identifying workforce gaps: How rural healthcare organizations are struggling to recruit talent and why early-stage career roles, like medical assistants, are critical to closing the gap.[08:14] - What US Career Institute offers: An overview of the accredited programs and degrees, with a focus on entry-level healthcare pathways and medical assistant training.[10:40] - Real-life success stories: How individuals from diverse backgrounds (oil riggers, hairstylists) transitioned into healthcare careers and thrived with support from their employers.[12:15] - Didactic + clinical training model: Why combining online coursework with hands-on clinical instruction creates the most effective outcomes for medical assistant preparation.[17:20] - Open-book learning and retention: How cognitive load theory and open-book quizzes improve knowledge retention and prepare students for certification exams.[25:20] - Partner-driven customization: How organizations can tailor the learning sequence and clinical checklists to align with their unique needs and workflows.[28:08] - MGMA CMA program partnership: How practices can access U.S. Career Institute programs directly through MGMA to build and sustain their CMA pipelines.Resources:Visit the U.S. Career Institute websiteMGMA Clinical Medical Assistant Certification, Powered by U.S. Career Institute - Learn MoreConnect with Rob Fershtman on LinkedInMGMA Membership - Learn More and Register2025 MGMA Leaders Conference: Sept 28-Oct 1 in Orlando, FL - Register HereAdditional Resources:MGMA PlaybooksMGMA EventsMGMA ConsultingMGMA DataDiveMGMA StatMGMA PodcastsEmail us at [email protected] if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to [email protected]. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts. Allied Medical Waste is the premier medical waste and document shredding company for medical groups all over the United States. On average, Allied helps medical groups save up to 50% on their monthly costs. Allied is known for their great service and impeccable response times. Reach out today for a free quote! Allied has a special offer for all MGMA members: the first 2 months FREE of charge!Connect with us at [email protected] or call (801) 328-8581.