CareerSTAT Healthcare Workforce Development Academy
Beginning in November 2017, CareerSTAT brought together 11 healthcare organizations for the CareerSTAT Healthcare Workforce Development Academy. This year-long learning experience helps healthcare organizations develop more diverse talent pipelines, better retain and advance their entry-level staff, and proactively fill critical healthcare positions. An initiative of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, CareerSTAT is a network of nearly 300 healthcare professionals who are committed to advancing healthcare’s frontline workers. The Academy supports CareerSTAT’s goal to accelerate the adoption of business practices that support frontline worker education, training, and advancement. Over the coming months, we are profiling each of the Academy participants and their progress. Read profiles of other CareerSTAT Academy Members here.
Boston Children’s Hospital
It takes guidance, information, and training to build a talent pipeline
The Overview
Serving Greater Boston, New England, and international patients, Boston Children’s Hospital employees 4,500 frontline workers. With over 400 beds, the hospital is one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States and offers a range of comprehensive services.
The Work
When joining CareerSTAT’s Healthcare Workforce Development Academy, Boston Children’s had a top goal of strengthening their workforce development infrastructure. They have since developed an internal website for employees and managers to access workforce program information and a database to track program participants and report on outcomes. They’ve brought on a part-time career coach, and now current employees can see what career opportunities are available and talk through the options with someone who can offer guidance.
To help provide much-needed training to employees interested in advancing their careers, Boston Children’s launched college partnerships with the goal of growing talent for the organization. By partnering with College for America, an employee-focused accredited training program offered at an affordable cost, Boston Children’s is developing a skilled pipeline to fill open, in-demand positions. This effort includes a pre-college pathway program focused on English and math skills.
The hospital wants to make sure training and opportunities for advancement are truly accessible to the community. Because care delivery is improved when the staff reflects the community it serves, Boston Children’s has begun implementing training opportunities that align local needs and the hiring needs of the hospital. In 2019, two partnerships with Jewish Vocational Services for animal care and pharmacy technicians are planned for launch. Boston Children’s has also worked to formalize community partnerships with additional organizations, present to job seekers, and fast-track resumes.
The Results
The partnership with College for America has created an internal pipeline of students ready to work in administration and research administration. Together with the pre-college program, the hospital has created great opportunities that help employees grow into needed positions at the hospital and build a strong pipeline to college (and therefore higher-level positions at the hospital). There are now 65 College for America students in that internal talent pipeline.
The Future
In the future, Boston Children’s will further develop partnerships with community organizations, develop metrics to measure the impact of these initiatives, and create internal pipeline training programs to continue advancing employees.
About CareerSTAT
CareerSTAT is a network of nearly 300 healthcare professionals who are committed to advancing healthcare’s frontline workers. Learn more at https://nationalfund.org/new-academy-helping-healthcare-organizations-invest-in-frontline-workers/
