Building a Skilled Healthcare Workforce Skills Based Training Promotion (STEP)

1. Building a Skilled Healthcare Workforce Skills Based Training Promotion (STEP) Mayor’s Office of Employment Development March 2, 2004

2. June 2001 - Governors Workforce Investment Board issues Request for Proposal • Strategy for low wage incumbent working parents to access skills training leading to promotional opportunity and wage increases • Addresses critical skills shortage in the healthcare industry and the training needs of entry level healthcare workers • Proposal based on prior success with Surgical Technician training model at University of Maryland Medical • Awarded $575,000 grant 9/01, $437,000 grant in 9/02 and $500,000 in 9/03

3. The Model • Employer-driven model focused on providing a career pathway • Catalyst for industry consensus in both identifying demand and standardizing curriculum • Employer commitment to 50% of training cost realized through combination of release time, clinical supervision and backfill cost

4. Our Partners • Employers: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Systems, Mercy Medical Center, Lifebridge Health, Kernan Hospital, Genesis Eldercare, St. Agnes Hospital, Medstar Health • Training Provider: Baltimore City Community College

5. Position Pharmacy Technician $10.20 per hour Nursing Extender $10.25 per hour Medical Coder $12.10 per hour Dietary Manager $12.40 per hour Surgical Technician $13.55 per hour Respiratory Therapists $17.35 per hour Housekeeping $6.50/hour 57% 58% 86% 91% 108% Dietary Aide $7.00/hour 46% 46% 73% 77% 94% Nursing Assistant $7.50/hour 36% 37% 61% 65% 81% 131% Environmental Service Worker $8.00/hour 25% 28% 51% 55% 69% Transporter $8.15/hour 25% 26% 49% 52% 66% 113% Security Guard $8.25/hour 24% 24% 47% 50% 64% Clerical Associate $8.40/hour 21% 22% 44% 48% 61% Medical Technician $11.00/hour 58% Return on Investment

6. Return on Investment • Dietary Aide earning $14,560 participates in 632 hours of Surgical Technician training at a STEP cost of approximately $3,575. Upon successful completion and promotion, employee’s annual wages are increased to $28,184. • Environmental Service Worker earning $16,640 participates in 256 hours of Pharmacy Technician training at a STEP cost of approximately $2,200. Upon completion and promotion, employee’s annual wages are increased to $21,216.

7. From the Participant’s View • Graduates gain the opportunity to be employed in a professional career • Graduates are promoted from within by employer • Increased salary

8. From An Employer’s View • Resolves dilemma of qualified worker shortage • Select and train our own workers • Promote from within: career track • Investment in known resource • Promotes retention (retention agreement)

9. Projected Outcomes STEPI II III Total • Nursing Support Technician 55 42 40 137 • Surgical Technician 14 18 15 47 • Pharmacy Technician 17 10 27 • Medical Coding 10 10 • Dietary Management 5 5 • Certified Medicine Aides 10 10 • LPN 10 10 • Medical Lab Technician 10 10 • Respiratory Technician 10 10 • Central Sterile Processing Tech 10 10 • Phlebotomy 10 10 TOTAL 96 95 95 286

10. STEP I Outcomes Training Enrolled Completed Promoted Surgical Technician 14 13 13 Nursing Support Technician 55 52 52 Pharmacy Technician 17 17 15 Medical Coding & Billing 10 10 9 Total 96 92 89 * Promoted workers realized an average annual increase of $5100.00

11. Enrollments Post STEP I • Surgical Technician 16 • Dietary Management 5 • Nursing Support Technician 24 • Certified Medicine Aides 12 Total 57

12. Lessons Learned • Value of the cohort training model • Need to orchestrate career progression • Importance of internal marketing strategies • Continued review and modification of curriculum

13. Lessons Learned • Parameters of the grant limit the pool of eligible applicants: family status, basic education requirements • Selection of occupational areas is restricted due to the need for measurable outcomes within the lifespan of the grant.