Program aims to fast-track Philly high school students into in-demand, entry-level health care jobs
After graduating from high school last June, Antoinette Smith-Bethea began working as a patient care technician at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, where she learned to check vitals, draw blood, and perform EKGs. Her ready-for-market skills were earned courtesy of the Jefferson Workforce Development Program, a collaboration between Jefferson Health, the School District of Philadelphia, and Esperanza College that aims to address the high turnover in entry-level health care positions by providing students with 1,000 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
The program also includes a specialized skill boot camp to help students interested in health care careers with résumé building, job applications, and understanding Jefferson's orientation and onboarding practices. Smith-Bethea is one of 18 students who completed the program. She is scheduled to earn an associate’s degree in health sciences in May and then plans to apply for a position as an ultrasound technician.
Health care is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., driven by rising life expectancy and advances in medical technology. By next year, the industry expects a nationwide shortage of 3.2 million health care workers, including medical assistants, patient care technicians, and surgery technicians. The Jefferson Workforce Development Program serves as an on-ramp into health care, helping students secure good-paying jobs and fill workforce needs.