USA Health launches a new technical career development program
New workforce development initiative offers full-time pay and benefits for trainees.
The USA Health Workforce Development initiative recently was created to train and employ people who are looking to start a career in the healthcare field through technical programs.
The technical program offers full-time pay and benefits while training. The program kicked off May 9 with an inaugural class of 10 staff members who are set to graduate in November 2022.
The curriculum, instruction and assessments were designed by two surgical technologists, Ashley Sylvester and Helen Phillips, who have a combined experience of 40 years in the operating room and more than 20 years in the instructional arena.
The first training class will spend six months learning the skills needed to become a surgical technician. The course is divided into two sessions. During session one, trainees will learn objectives and practice skills in the classroom environment and through simulations. In session two, trainees will move into internship positions in the surgical environment in order to obtain a surgical technician certification.
“We are looking forward to working with these trainees and helping them achieve their goals,” Sylvester said.
The workforce development team is making plans to expand class offerings to include training programs in the following areas:
- Medical assistant
- Patient care assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Phlebotomist
- Sterilization technician
“Workforce development is a great stepping stone for USA Health,” said Kerry Flowers, director of organizational development at USA Health. “Through these various programs, we will have the ability to offer paid training for positions that are crucial to our day-to-day operations in healthcare.”
If you are interested in learning more about workforce development initiatives, contact Veronica Hudson, workforce development manager, at vhudson@health.southalabama.edu.
