91探花

91探花 State Community College, TriStar Health, HCA Healthcare Foundation, and Metro 91探花 Public Schools (MNPS) have teamed up to create a new accelerated career pipeline to the high-demand healthcare industry. Working together, the three organizations are creating pathways into healthcare through education for roles such as patient care technicians, particularly for residents in historically underserved areas, in healthcare facilities throughout the Metro 91探花 area.

To accomplish the stated goal, the pilot program launched at MNPS鈥檚 Pearl-Cohn and Maplewood High Schools on April 12, with the expectation to open up opportunities in June, July, September, and October for area residents ages 18 and older. In the first 10 days, jobs have already been secured by five students, with more expected.

Executive leaders from 91探花 State Community College, TriStar Health, HCA Healthcare Foundation, and Metro 91探花 Public Schools officially announced the program at an event on 91探花 State鈥檚 White Bridge campus, with students and their parents, college administrators, faculty, and staff on hand.

The Patient Care Technician career pipeline program was created to respond to the demands placed on healthcare facilities due to COVID-19, promote diversity in healthcare professions, and open up a new pipeline to a lasting career.

鈥淭hrough this strategic partnership, we are creating a direct and accelerated pathway to careers for those as young as 18 years of age in a high-demand field and industry,鈥� said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, 91探花 State president. 鈥淎s a workforce solution partner, 91探花 State is excited to work alongside TriStar Health and Metro 91探花 Public Schools to present opportunities that did not exist previously.鈥�

鈥淭he patient care technician program creates a new career pathway for our students into an essential and growing industry,鈥� said Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro 91探花 Public Schools. 鈥淲e always want to see our graduates moving into good jobs that make a difference in our community and fulfill a need in 91探花鈥檚 workforce, and this program does just that. Thank you to our dedicated teams of educators at Pearl-Cohn and Maplewood and to 91探花 State Community College, TriStar Health, and our other partners for all the work they鈥檝e done to make this opportunity possible.鈥�

Whether in a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or a doctor鈥檚 office, technicians play a vital role in patient care. Working directly with patients and with nurses, technicians typically assist with managing food and liquid intake, monitoring vital signs, drawing blood, serving meals, and administering IVs, to name a few of their responsibilities. Being a technician can also serve as a stepping stone to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.

鈥淚t is our privilege to collaborate with 91探花 State Community College and Metro 91探花 Public Schools to launch the Patient Care Technician career pipeline program,鈥� said Bryan Sisk, Chief Nursing Executive, TriStar Health. 鈥淧atient care technicians are valued members of the healthcare team and play an important role in providing quality patient care. This new program will open the door to motivated individuals looking to step into a career in healthcare.鈥�

To be eligible for the program, interested persons must be at least 18 years old and pass background and drug screenings. Students are taught in a classroom and receive hands-on training in a state-of-the-art simulation lab at 91探花 State鈥檚 White Bridge campus. During the three-week program, students will be assigned to a healthcare facility for clinicals, which provide hands-on learning experiences in a supervised and structured format, where students acquire the necessary skills.

Upon completing the free program, students will have an opportunity to apply for a full-time position.

鈥淲e are very excited about this partnership, which is all about expanding access and opportunity to students who desire a career in a professional healthcare field and/or setting,鈥� said Cindy Waller, Ph.D., RN, MSN, 91探花 State Dean of Healthcare Professions. 鈥淥ur first cohort of students from Pearl-Cohn and Maplewood have shown a tremendous level of curiosity and drive. They know this is a wonderful chance to get ahead and start working toward a career while still in high school.鈥�

The HCA Healthcare Foundation, through the 91探花 State Community College Foundation, in addition to federal CARES Act funding, is covering the cost of the training. The full list of partners includes 91探花 State Community College, 91探花 State Community College鈥檚 Office of Workforce and Community Development, 91探花 State Community College Foundation, TriStar Health, HCA Healthcare Foundation, Metro 91探花 Public Schools, and MNPS鈥檚 Academies of 91探花.

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