PCC Ahead of Enrollment Goals for Grant-funded Health Professions Training
July 11, 2012
Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College and its partner in a federally funded program to train low-income Tucson-area residents for high-demand healthcare jobs are adding information sessions to meet unexpectedly high public interest.
The Pathways to Healthcare Program was launched in 2010 to provide degrees or certificates in 15 specialized medical fields. Nearly two years after the first classes began, the program is exceeding its enrollment goals.
As of the end of June, 484 students signed up to study in Pathways – nearly 100 more students than anticipated. And 172 students have completed training in fields that range from home health aides and medical billers to paramedics and nursing assistants.
“There is a direct correlation between the high level of interest in Pathways and the growing demand for healthcare jobs,” said Brian Stewart, the program’s director. “People know we can provide the training they need to get ahead in a tough economy.”
Interested people start by attending one of the orientations, which the College and Pima County OneStop have increased from offering once a week to three times a week. They also have added two new locations for the one-hour sessions. Orientation sessions are held at PCC’s Desert Vista Campus, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz. Orientations also are held at OneStop’s Rio Nuevo Office, 340 N. Commerce Park Loop, Suite 100.
Anyone interested in enrolling in a Pathways program should call (520) 206-5250 for times and locations of upcoming information sessions.
The Pathways to Healthcare Program is a partnership between the College and Pima County OneStop. It is funded by a five-year, $18.5 million Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) from the Administration for Children & Families of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The training targets recipients of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other low-income individuals.
“Thanks to the HPOG grant, low-income job seekers are now on a pathway to a sustainable, rewarding career in healthcare,” said Eddie Saavedra, OneStop’s HPOG Program Manager. “But grant funds alone cannot account for this incredible influx of prepared students into post-secondary training in such a short time. It is the close collaboration between the County and the College that has made it possible to leverage the strengths of both systems.”
The length of training can be as short as the five-week Nursing Assistant training, or up to two or three years for any of the associate degree programs in areas such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Health information Technology and Pharmacy Technology.
Among the program’s students is Mariesa Partinico, who will complete her Medical Records Technician/Professional Medical Coding Specialist training in July. The mother of three was unemployed for about six months before starting Pathways training. HPOG funding and a Pell grant covered her tuition and textbook costs, and helped with monthly bills and her mortgage. Since she started her training, Soreo Home Services hired her as a billing authorization clerk.
“With the flexibility and support of the instructors, I was able to work my school time around my family needs without the stress of missing a class,” Partinico said. “I actually had four job offers in the field after I accepted the job with Soreo. Without the HPOG schooling, I wouldn’t be in the medical industry, and now that I am, I see a lot of opportunity for growth.”
Pathways staff works to train students to their highest earning potential, getting them training and a secure job, then supporting them through more Pathways training and ultimately a well-paying career. For example, a student first may earn a Nursing Assistant certificate, get a job in that field, then pursue Pathways’ Practical Nursing degree.
A key component of Pathways is academic and financial support, which especially can help students during critical points. Research shows that a lack of support at critical points is the biggest barrier to completing a certificate or degree.
For example, as of June 30, 129 students have taken remedial or basic skills classes so that they could meet training prerequisites. Some of the most common things the program has paid for are books, clinical uniforms and supplies, and exam preparation and exam fees. It also often has paid for bus passes and eye glasses.
“Support services help students to identify challenges and barriers and to locate resources to help them at school and in their personal life,” said Stewart, who also serves as director of PCC’s Center for Training and Development. “The services vary by student but many have common traits. They provide coping skills to help them overcome adversity. Some provide financial support . . . so the student can focus on school. They also help a person move from crisis to planning, which is a skill that can be applied even after college.”
Pathways has a goal of enrolling 250-300 students in each of its first and second years, 450-500 in each of its third and fourth years and 350-400 in its final year, for a total of 1,750 to 2,000 enrollments. By the end of the grant’s second year, staff expect another 221 students to have completed programs.
The federal government also is funding an evaluation of how the Pathways to Healthcare Health Profession Opportunity Grant helps people increase their skills and find jobs. Individuals who are eligible for the program and agree to participate in the study will be selected into the program based on a lottery. Those individuals selected into the program receive support services designed to develop the skills necessary to become self-sufficient with a new healthcare career and may include the potential to receive assistance with tuition, fees and books.
CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu