Dec 2nd, 2013
Jackson State Community College is now offering three non-credit healthcare certificate programs as part of Rx-Tennessee. This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The consortium of Tennessee Community Colleges and Colleges of Applied Technology received $12.5M to offer these programs to promote skills development and employment opportunities. The program is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Initiative, which promotes skills development and employment opportunities in various fields.
The program being offered at Jackson State is focused on helping individuals in healthcare professions or those interested in getting into the healthcare field. Upon completion, individuals can earn certificates in phlebotomy, EKG technician and certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA).
There are three phases of completion to the program. Phlebotomy and EKG can be completed in 10 and 8 weeks respectively and can be taken as independent, standalone certifications. The phlebotomy and EKG certifications serve as prerequisites for the CCMA program, which takes an additional 10 weeks to complete. Ultimately, this is the program that we encourage students to do, says Rita Foster, Program Coordinator. This will give healthcare workers additional skills to work in a variety of settings and have more flexibility professionally.
Upon completion of the CCMA program, an individual will be eligible for employment in a variety of healthcare environments. Job opportunities will be most prevalent in hospitals, medical clinics, doctors office, rehabilitation centers, nursing and assisted living facilities. The skills attained through the program will qualify individuals to perform many of the duties in these environments.
According to Foster, this program is great for individuals who are thinking about a career in healthcare, students currently on waiting lists who want to get their careers moving, or current LPN students or working LPNs. This is an efficient way for current healthcare professionals to gain certification which may give them a competitive edge or possible opportunities for advancement.
An important component of the program is the focus on retention and completion. There are completion coaches that are focused on ensuring students complete their education and are able to go to work. These coaches help ensure students remain fully engaged and stay on track for completion and ultimately for success in the workplace.
Everyone is encouraged to apply to the program. Especially targeted for the program are Trade Act Adjustment Assistance eligible workers that are dislocated, unemployed and underemployed adults and youth. Priority is given to veterans of U.S. armed services. For additional information about the CCMA program, visit http://www.jscc.edu/non-credit-health-care-certificates.html or contact Rita Foster at (731) 424-3520 ext. 50253