BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Jun 2, 2014) - MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital has received the CareerSTAT 2014 Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion award in recognition of its commitment to advancing education and career development for its associates, an honor bestowed to only nine health care organizations in the United States.
Granted by CareerSTAT, a national collaboration of health care leaders, this designation pays tribute to health care employers that invest in the success of their frontline associates. Frontline, or entry-level jobs, consist of those requiring less than an associate degree. Investing in these associates through advancing education and career development has shown not only contribute to their professional success, but also to lower staff turnover and vacancy rates, reduce recruitment costs, and increase quality patient care within the health care organization.
CareerSTAT has recognized MedStar Good Samaritan for its coaching program, an initiative deemed to serve as a model for employers across the nation. Launched in October 2006 in partnership with the Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, the hospital teams associates up with one of two coaches from the Nursing Education and Staff Development department. The coaches, Joy Burke, MSN, CCRN, and JoJo Romero de Slavy, MSN, CRRN-BC, work with associates to identify long-term career goals and map out an individualized development plan.
The coaches play an important role in supporting the transition of the associate into new jobs, as well as helping the associate navigate continuing education and earn college credits. Additionally, math and reading assessment tests are provided to gauge areas of weakness, and strategies are incorporated to build attainable short-term educational goals.
"It is clear that the role of coach is very important for the success of all of our pipeline programs," said Jeffrey A. Matton, President of MedStar Good Samaritan. "For entry-level staff, this is often the first time anyone has ever helped them create a career development plan. It is the first time many have considered attending college, getting a certificate, or entering a real career path. In return, we have employees who are committed to our hospital and our community."
The hospital also offers several bridge programs to associates for advancement into higher education. Including reading, math and basic computer training, these courses are free to associates and provided with partial paid time benefits to participants. MedStar Good Samaritan provides transportation from the hospital to attend classes and also offers tutoring services.
As a result of the program, the hospital has supported nearly 200 frontline associates, including Jerome Price. Beginning his career working in laundry services in 2004, Price enrolled in certified nursing assistant training through MedStar Good Samaritan. After completing training, he was later hired to work as a CNA on the comprehensive inpatient and rehabilitation unit, and is currently enrolled in community college coursework to become a physical therapy assistant.
Since its inception, a total of 82 frontline associates have successfully completed a CNA/general nursing assistant program; 59 have completed a patient care technician program; and 40 have completed a bridge program.
"MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital is highly deserving of this recognition," said Jan Hunter, director of CareerSTAT. "Frontline employees can take advantage of several bridge programs, including reading, math and basic computer training; partial paid time benefits to program participants; transportation services from the hospital to attend classes; and access to a coach to help frontline employees successfully transition into new jobs. This level of support positions frontline employees in reaching their career goals."
Criteria for the Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion award includes:
- Making skill and career development accessible to workers through methods such as on-site training
- Providing release time, or employee coaching; having programs of a significant scale
- Tracking data on program outcomes, impact and/or return on investment
- Demonstrating a commitment to sustaining the investment over time
Click here to learn more about career opportunities available at MedStar Good Samaritan. To learn more about the 2014 Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion award, click here.
About MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (medstargoodsam.org) is a 287-bed community teaching facility located at the corner of Loch Raven Boulevard and Belvedere Avenue in northeast Baltimore, with more than 130,000 patient visits annually. With Centers of Excellence in orthopaedics, rheumatology, rehabilitation, burn reconstruction, and renal care, as well as a certified Stroke Center and winner of the Delmarva Foundation Excellence Award for Quality Improvement for four years in a row, MedStar Good Samaritan serves people throughout Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic and internationally in these advanced specialties. MedStar Good Samaritan is part of MedStar Health (medstarhealth.org), a not-for-profit, regional healthcare system with 10 hospitals and more than 20 other health-related services in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region.
About CareerSTAT
Launched in 2011, CareerSTAT is an employer-led national collaboration of health care leaders who promote employer investment in the skill and career development of frontline health care workers. An initiative of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and its implementation partner, Jobs for the Future, CareerSTAT is led by Director Jan Hunter, and guided by an executive committee comprised of national health care leaders. Generously funded through The Joyce Foundation, CareerSTAT is working to promote investment by healthcare employers in the skills and career development of their frontline workforce.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Megan Lutz
Phone: 410-554-2781
E-Mail: megan.lutz@medstar.net