St. Vincent's Health System - Jeremiah's Hope Academy

What is it?

Jeremiah’s Hope Academy (JHA), an outreach program of St. Vincent’s Birmingham, is a licensed post-secondary school that prepares students for national certifications in entry-level health care positions. The program is designed for any individual interested in entry-level hospital and health care positions but makes a special effort to recruit those from underserved communities who may not otherwise be able to access such training. Seven training programs are currently offered through the Academy: Patient Care Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Administrative Assistant, Sterile Processing Technician, Electronic Health Records Specialist, Billing and Coding Specialist, and Mental Health Technician. The application process is competitive, and tuition rates vary by program. Financial assistance is available through the Workforce Development Programs (Alabama), and Veterans Benefits (GI Bill – limited programs. JHA is able to keep the tuition cost to a reasonable rate through support of the hospital. The Academy offers four 12-week terms each year. Most programs are one term in length (Mental Health Technician is a two-term program). Program instruction includes classroom lecture, pre-clinical skills instruction, and hands-on clinical experience. In addition to technical skills training, each training program incorporates daily reflections and provides life skills instruction, job coaching support, and holistic care instruction. Each term concludes with a graduation and commissioning ceremony. The instructors and staff model respect, compassion, strong work ethic, and exemplary patient care standards.

Who is it for?

The program is offered to any individual in the community 18 years of age and older with a GED, high school diploma, or college courses. The programs of study are specifically designed for those ready, willing, and able to pursue a career in health care. Many graduates have continued on to pursue higher education in the health care field. Some students enter fresh out of high school, while others are pursuing re-training for a second career. Military veterans returning from service may select from four of the programs (Patient Care Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Administrative Assistant, and Sterile Processing Technician) when eligible for Veterans Benefits. JHA emphasizes that health care is a calling, and the entry-level positions are an open door, not the destination.

Why do they do it?

JHA was established to meet two specific needs: the growing demand for skilled health care workers in the Birmingham area, and the need of those who have a desire, but not the means, to pursue a career in health care. Individuals who enroll at Jeremiah’s Hope are met with a strong level of support from St. Vincent’s Health System and are trained to see patients in a holistic way – modeling the mission, vision, and values of St. Vincent’s standard of care. St. Vincent’s is training the next generation in health care through Jeremiah’s Hope Academy. For more information, visit the web site at www.jhacademy.org.

Impact

JHA has a proven track record in providing post-secondary education to students from the North Central Alabama area. From September 2007 to December 2012, JHA graduated 398 students. Nearly 90 percent of graduates from 2010 through 2012 successfully passed national certification examination on the first attempt. Graduates are employed in hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities in North Central Alabama.

Contact: Marti Holmes
Manager, Jeremiah’s Hope Academy
Telephone: 205-939-7223
E-mail: Martha.Holmes@stvhs.com