Allied Health Apprentices Celebrate Completing Nearly 7,000 Hours of Job-Related Instruction

This program created healthcare career pathways through a collaboration between Elliot Health System, Catholic Medical Center, Community College System of NH and ApprenticeshipNH
 

During a time when the need for a skilled workforce is more prevalent than ever in one of the state’s largest industries, allied health apprentices will celebrate a milestone in their healthcare careers. Two dozen medical assistants, patient service representatives and licensed nursing assistants have completed the classroom coursework component, a total of 6,656 hours of instruction at Manchester Community College (MCC) as part of their Registered Apprenticeship program. The graduation ceremony was held Wednesday, October 5.

The graduation ceremony marks the end of classroom coursework and is just three months after prospective students attended a Healthcare Career Fair where they first learned about the program.  At the fair, representatives from ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce initiative of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), Catholic Medical Center (CMC) and Elliot Health System (The Elliot) described the program and helped attendees take the first step. Students will now transition fully to their on-the-job training in paid positions at either CMC or The Elliot. 

This collaborative effort is transforming the region’s healthcare workforce though a Registered Apprenticeship program aimed at cultivating talent in nursing, tech and support roles at The Elliot and CMC. The “earn while you learn” approach allows individuals to hold a paid position while engaging in classroom learning and on-the-job training. Upon program completion, they will have an immediate impact in the workplace from “job-ready” training to fill in-demand positions. 

The graduation recognizes three cohorts of apprentices employed with CMC or The Elliot: 

• Medical Assistants—Nine apprentices began a two-year program on June 27 that includes 480 hours of related instruction and 3,600 hours of on-the-job training. 
• Patient Service Representatives—Four apprentices began a one-year program on July 18 combining 160 hours of related instruction with 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. 
• Licensed Nursing Assistants—Four CMC and seven Elliot apprentices began the one-year program of 144 to 160 hours of related instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training on August 8 and August 15, respectively. 

As a Registered Apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship, these apprentices participate in an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where CMC and The Elliot can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential.