For healthcare facilities looking to sustainably address staffing shortages, a registered apprenticeship model has become an increasingly popular solution because it delivers results.
According to a study measuring the return on investment (ROI) of grants funded by the Department of Labor’s American Apprenticeship Initiative, the median ROI for apprentice productivity is 144.3%. In healthcare specifically, Apprenticeship USA reports there were 36,892 registered apprentices serving in the healthcare industry in 2025, a 43% increase compared to the previous 5 years.
The Elliot Hospital, through its collaboration with MedCerts Partner Solutions, is a great example of the benefits and impact of investing in apprenticeship models around allied healthcare and why so many healthcare facilities are investing their resources in creating apprenticeship opportunities.
A Need For More Surgical Technologists
The Elliot Hospital is a 296-bed acute care facility located in Manchester, the largest city in New Hampshire. In 2024, the facility faced a shortage of fully prepared, job-ready surgical technologists, a challenge too many healthcare institutions are dealing with. According to a survey published in The Surgical Technologist, 83% of healthcare executives name a shortage of surgical technologists as a staffing problem.
Filling these vacant positions has the potential to become an even bigger staffing challenge over time. There are already 5 job openings for every 1 unemployed healthcare worker. At the same time, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of Surgical Assistants and Technologists positions to increase by 5% between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than average growth compared to all occupations.
Looking to address both an immediate staffing challenge and prevent it from becoming an even bigger issue in the future, The Elliot Hospital joined forces with MedCerts Partner Solutions to create a Surgical Technologists Apprenticeship Program.
Impact of Surgical Technologists Apprenticeship Program
The first cohort started in February 2024, with 5 apprentices, and was limited to applicants who already worked at the hospital. Since then, hundreds of applicants have applied to the program, with 16 applicants accepted across 4 cohorts. Nine applicants have graduated and completed the MedCerts portion of the curriculum, with 5 learners still actively in the program (as of June 2026).
The apprenticeship combined the MedCerts Surgical Technologist program and its online, asynchronous curriculum, with structured, hands-on learning, and strong mentorship. The Elliot Hospital was able to train apprentices within their own culture, workflows and standards from the very beginning. That led to stronger clinical competence, better team integration and improved retention because apprentices feel invested in and supported.
Apprentices who successfully completed the program, passed the Online Tech in Surgery (TS-C) certification exam from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and were promoted to certified Surgical Technologists at The Elliot Hospital. Six of the 9 graduated apprentices still work at The Elliot Hospital, including on the Vascular team, Orthopedic team, Ear, Nose and Throat team and Trauma team.
A graduate of The Elliot Hospital Surgical Technologist Apprenticeship program explained, “Getting a certification through MedCerts has given me a wonderful opportunity to start a new career that I have grown to love and take so much pride in.” It’s a win-win situation where employers get a sustainable staffing pipeline and employees are grateful for a career advancement opportunity they might otherwise not have been able to afford.
Speaking to the apprenticeship program’s high retention rate, The Elliot Hospital staff have found that graduates have already built relationships with the team, developed confidence in their skills, and feel invested in the organization that supported their training.
They’ve also found from a job-readiness standpoint, apprentices outperform hires that go through traditional onboarding alone. Because apprentice training is both structured and hands-on, program graduates are able to bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world application much more effectively. They demonstrate strong clinical competence, confidence in the environment, and the ability to anticipate needs, which is especially important in fast-paced settings like the OR.
The Advantage Of Working With MedCerts Partner Solutions
The Elliot Hospital needed a surgical technologist solution that would better align education with real-world expectations, provide consistent training standards and help streamline the onboarding and development process. They felt MedCerts Partner Solutions offered a model that allowed them to strengthen that bridge by supporting learners with a solid educational foundation while also giving a clearer framework for clinical readiness, progression and skill validation.
Another advantage of working with MedCerts Partner Solutions was that it provided a fully supported, customizable apprenticeship training model that aligns with both The Elliot Hospital’s workforce needs and clinical standards. The facility was able to tailor training to their specific roles, workflows, and competencies, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all educational model. The MedCerts program is built in collaboration with employers, ensuring apprentices are learning exactly what they need to be successful in today’s environment.
Conclusion
The Elliot Hospital has found apprentices tend to integrate seamlessly into existing teams, require less start-up time compared to external hires, be more engaged and receptive to feedback and take more pride in their work. In working with MedCerts Partner Solutions, The Elliot Hospital got a model that supports apprentices with a solid educational foundation while giving a clearer framework for clinical readiness, progression and skill validation.
Want more information about how MedCerts Partner Solutions can help your facility start or expand an apprenticeship training program? Contact us at [email protected] to learn more!
