Introduction to Registered Apprenticeship:

A Workforce Strategy for Health Care

INCREMENTAL INCREMENTAL WAGE INCREASES:WAGE INCREASES:

Registered Apprentices receive incremental wage increases based on skills attainment and job proficiency

MENTORINGMENTORING Apprentices

work and learn under qualified personnel

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RELATED RELATED INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION

Apprentices receive technical training through a variety of methods

Subject content and time requirements depend on occupation and employer needs

Responsibilities ensure increased job competency over time

ON-THE-JOB ON-THE-JOB LEARNING:LEARNING:

Apprenticeships include at least 2,000 hours of supervised and structured on-the-job learning.

Apprenticeships involve a minimum of 144 hours of instruction in technical subjects related to the occupation.

Healthcare Apprenticeships can take between 1 to 2 years to complete, depending on the occupation.

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Registered Registered Apprenticeship Apprenticeship

SponsorsSponsors

Workforce Workforce System/Education/System/Education/

other partnersother partners

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Apprentices/Apprentices/Job SeekersJob Seekers

Why Registered Apprenticeship Need to Strengthen entry- and mid-level Healthcare Workforce High Turnover; burnout One of the fastest growing areas over the next decade Individuals are not recognized as professionals Wages Insuffient training for most entry-level professions◦ Despite complex and demanding nature of the position, training

requirements are minimal◦ Training is typically pre-service and on-the-job training

Offers advancement into nursing, pharmacy, dental, Health IT and other growing occupationsCreates a pipeline of skilled workersIncreases retentionDecreases recruitment costsImproves employee skills, confidence and quality of patient careIncreases diversity

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Registered Apprenticeship and Health Care

Registered Apprenticeship Benefits to Employers/Agencies Highly skilled employees Recruitment Strategy Systematic Training Relevant classroom instruction linked to actual work

experience Recognition for long-term employees Employees increasingly capable of advancement Creation of career pathways

The RA program offers many benefits to apprentices, including:A paycheckHands-on career trainingAn EducationA CareerNational Certification

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Some Health Care Occupations Certified Nursing Assistant Community Health Worker EMT and Paramedic Dental Assistant Home Health Aide Medical Assistant Medical Transcriptionist Medical Coder Pharmacy Tech Surgical Technologist Laboratory Technician

Health Unit Coordinator Direct Support Professional MRI Tech Mammography Tech Licensed Practical Nurse

(military) Medical Secretary

Success Stories CVS Pharmacy◦ Pharmacy Tech Career Ladder◦ Competency-based model 3 tiers

Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society◦ CNA competency-based model-4 tiers: Level 1, Advanced, and

at least 2 specialties◦ Integrated into career lattice◦On-the-job skills developed through a mentoring structure

East Texas AHEC/Texas Workforce Commission◦ Community Health Worker—just beginning◦OA and AHEC are promoting the program to hospitals and

clinics◦ AHEC will provide the instruction◦ Texas Workforce Commission supports

DOL-HHS Evaluation of the Long-Term Care Registered Apprenticeship Model

Joint evaluation Currently 40 employers in 20 states with RA programs

covering 4 occupations (CNA, DSS, HSS, HHA) Examine recruitment & retention, wage gains and possibly

other quality of care issues Phase 1: Feasibility Study—this year Phase 2: Evaluation Design to be determined by Feasibility

Study

In Health Information Technology, RA is an effective training model that:Develops high-quality technicians and managersEnsures employer needs are metIncreases productivityHelps attract and retain high quality workers at lower costs

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IT and Health IT

Information Technology and HIT Occupations Health Unit Coordinator Medical Coder Medical Transcriptionist Information Assurance Specialist Information Management IT Project Manager IT Generalist Programmer Analyst Web Systems Support Programmer Network Support Technician

HIT Success Stories

Blue Cross/Blue Shield—South Carolina◦ Partnership with Midlands Technical College and Alpha

Training Services◦Must already have associates degree◦ 3-year program

Contact your State Director and/or Apprenticeship Training Representative

You can locate the appropriate contact for your state here: http://21stcenturyapprenticeship.workforce3one.org/page/contacts

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Registered Apprenticeship staff will--

Provide technical assistance to develop a program Work with you to identify potential employers Register programs Provide technical assistance on training protocols in

collaboration with employers

For more information

Laura GinsburgUSDOL/Office of Apprenticeship202/693-2803 Ginsburg.laura@dol.gov