Displaced workers launch new health care careers

From leadertelegram.com: “Displaced workers launch new health care careers” — Cristin Johnson was laid off from her job at a call center, but today she sees great possibilities for her future.

Johnson, of Eau Claire, is about to enroll in the medical office receptionist program at Chippewa Valley Technical College as a way to transition to the medical assistant program next fall. She’s excited about the prospect of landing a job in the medical field.

Johnson is one of dozens of displaced workers in CVTC’s 11-county district to be introduced to new health care careers through the Health care Academy, part of the Bridges2Healthcare program that prepares displaced workers for specific jobs in the field. A group of 14 participants in the Health care Academy graduated from the program Jan. 11, with more sessions coming up.

“We took tours (of health care businesses) and the workers were so excited to be there for people. That’s why I want to get into health care, to be there for people,” Johnson said.

The people-centered nature of the health care field is one of the things participants learn about in the Health care Academy, the introductory part of the Bridges2Healthcare program.

Bridges2Healthcare is the result of a federal grant made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the so-called stimulus bill of 2010. The bill made money available for retraining displaced workers for the jobs available in their areas. CVTC was one of a group of eight technical and community colleges in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa to receive a grant to transition workers to jobs in health care, according to CVTC Career Pathways Coordinator Brenda Scheurer.

“A lot of people were losing their jobs in manufacturing at the time,” said Scheurer. “We found a lot of the skills they had could be applicable to the health care industry.”

In Bridges2Healthcare, educational institutions partner with local agencies that work with displaced workers. In the Chippewa Valley, that agency is Workforce Resource Inc.

“We were contacted by CVTC to put on the Health care Academy and to recruit people for the Bridges2Healthcare program,” said Sue Lane of Workforce Resource.

Workforce Resource screens prospects for their interest and aptitude for health care careers. Those selected enter the Health care Academy, a two-week session in which they explore the different aspects and opportunities available in the field.

“We go over medical terminology, regulations, safety, communication and time management,” Lane said. “They also become First Aid certified and do a lot of tours of local health care facilities.”

Through the process, the participants find areas of health care that interest them and are then channeled into further training programs, like Bridges2Healthcare’s Medical Office Receptionist or Geriatric Nursing Assistant, taught by CVTC instructors. Some enter regular CVTC programs like Nursing or Dental Hygienist.

“I really like how the staff at CVTC take time to give extra help if we need it. They will help make sure you are ready,” Johnson said.

Terri Rayner of Eau Claire was also laid off from a call center. Looking into a health care career seemed natural to her.

“I did CNA (certified nursing assistant) work before and when I got displaced, I wanted to see what the other options were,” she said. The Health care Academy led to interest in work as a resident assistant or a pharmacy assistant technician.

Rayner was fortunate enough to have a recent job offer. Now she’s considering obtaining health care career training while working so she’s in a position to advance her career in the future.

“It’s been a great experience for anyone wanting to pursue their education,” said Tonya Greger of Chippewa Falls. “In the Health care Academy, we heard all of the different aspects of the nursing and the medical fields. I’d like to further my career by going into nursing.”

More Health care Academy sessions are set up for later this month and into February in Eau Claire, River Falls and Chippewa Falls.