HealthcareWorks changes the way language instruction, basic education, and college preparation are delivered to front line health care workers.

 

In response to demands from health care employers, we have engaged health care supervisors and managers, and community college educators in the development of an educational model that will fit the culture and practices of the health care industry—The Health Care Learning Network.

 

Students in The Health Care Learning Network are front-line health care workers.
Health care companies believe that filling vacancies through the education and promotion of their workers is a viable strategy.

 

This is a “grow your own” strategy that will:

 

• Fill critical nursing and allied health positions in a cost effective way
• Reduce hospital and nursing home hiring costs by increasing the retention rate of entry-level workers and mid-level technical staff
• Improve patient care by having a well-trained, highly engaged workforce
• Increase patient satisfaction rates by enhancing the ability of entry-level employees to communicate with patients and other members of the patient care team

Progress to Date

 

• Completion of basic education courses—258 community residents/ workers in three hospitals
• Enrollment in nursing, diagnostic imaging, nursing assistant programs—72 students
• Promotions—24 front line workers

An additional 138 front-line workers from 13 health care organizations will be prepared to enter community college programs over the next year.

 

Their education is made possible under a grant from the Commonwealth Corporation ($967,749) and through personnel and cash contributions ($687,000) from the hospitals and nursing homes.