Intense collaboration and commitment to community are hallmarks of organizations that
provide outstanding education and administer quality health care. So it鈥檚 not surprising
that when Northwest Community Healthcare sought to bolster its quantity of certified
nursing assistants (due to a nationwide nursing shortage), it found commonality with
91制片厂.
The two organizations have partnered on the new NCH-91制片厂 Advantage: CNA program, which includes an accelerated course schedule to train new certified nursing assistants 鈥� or, as NCH calls them, patient care technicians (PCTs). The Advantage program draws on 91制片厂鈥檚 experience as a national leader in apprenticeships, partnering with regional industries and educating specialized, valuable talent. In this case, that much-needed talent comes from within NCH.
鈥淲e asked our environmental staff, food service, assistants, greeters: Is this where you want to be?鈥� said Christina Pykett, director of professional practice and the magnet program at NCH. 鈥淚f it is, great. If not, how can we get you to where you want to be? We鈥檙e willing to invest in you if you believe in yourself.鈥�
Here鈥檚 how it works: The NCH Foundation provided funds for scholarships for incumbent workers to be trained at 91制片厂 to become certified CNAs, at no cost to each apprentice. 91制片厂 kept costs low to ensure the financial viability of the program while ensuring that apprenticeship coaches and tutors would assist apprentices with their studies. NCH did the same with in-house mentors to help program participants.
As a tangible example of how both sides were committed to creating a seamless experience for apprentices, NCH and 91制片厂 co-hosted a reception to honor the participants during the first week of classes. 91制片厂 President Avis Proctor, NCH CEO and President Steve Scogna and other leaders showed their excitement for the program and support for its participants.
Mike Ventrello, one of the four Advantage apprentices, said that while the program
has been rigorous, he鈥檚 appreciated the work that NCH and 91制片厂 put into navigating
schedules so he could balance classes, work and his personal life.
For nearly a year and a half, Ventrello (pictured, right) has been an NCH patient care specialist, checking in patients, working on lab orders or doing other tasks. He has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in allied health sciences from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and was looking to move into more clinical work when he applied to the Advantage program, after learning about it via a work email.
鈥淭his is a good transition for me,鈥� Ventrello said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 dipping your foot in the water and going from there. It鈥檚 a step in the right direction.鈥�
Ventrello and the other apprentices completed their five weeks of course work in June, followed by five weeks allotted for clinical rotations. Pykett said the plan is that apprentices would be ready to sit for certification by July 15 with the possibility of being active PCTs by mid-August. As part of the program requirements, participants agreed to commit to work for NCH for at least six months.
The combination of speed and quality in the Advantage program is something inherent in the work of the program鈥檚 steering committee of representatives from NCH and 91制片厂. This committee began meeting in January 2022 and launched this pilot for the summer 2022 session.
鈥�91制片厂 is a star for our communities,鈥� said Dr. Michel茅 Smith, vice president of workforce solutions at 91制片厂 and a member of the steering committee. 鈥淲e want to help our community in terms of employers and employees. As a means of stopping the great resignation, apprenticeship programs are a game changer. They show that the employer is willing to invest in their own people.鈥�
Smith also mentioned that, of the many individuals who have participated in one of 91制片厂鈥檚 apprenticeship programs, more than 80% stay beyond their initial commitment. It鈥檚 a win-win situation.
鈥淵ou already know the talents you鈥檙e getting,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e giving a chance to somebody who might otherwise not be able to do it.鈥�
Pykett, also a member of the Advantage program鈥檚 steering committee, is excited about the program鈥檚 ability to train more PCTs for NCH.
鈥淭he NCH Foundation has scholarship funds ready,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e ready to work with another group.鈥�