Health and Wellness: Johnston Community College awarded $900,000 to launch, expand high-cost healthcare workforce programs

Submitted by Johnston Community College

SMITHFIELD — Johnston Community College has been awarded $900,000 to support the launch and expansion of two high-demand healthcare workforce programs.

The funding will be used to initiate new programs in surgical technology and central sterile processing technology as well as expand the college’s nurse aide program. These programs are essential to meeting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in Johnston County.

The grant will provide $500,000 in start-up funding for the surgical technology and central sterile processing technology programs. These programs were identified as high-cost, in-demand occupations by local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Both programs are designed to address the regional shortage of trained professionals who are critical to surgical services and sterile processing.

Surgical technologists assist surgeons during operations, ensuring sterile conditions and handling surgical instruments, while central sterile processing technicians manage decontamination and sterilization procedures for surgical instruments and equipment.

JCC will seek accreditation for these new programs through the appropriate credentialing bodies, and UNC Health Johnston has expressed a strong interest in these programs and plans to partner with JCC to establish apprenticeships for enrolled students.

In addition to launching new programs, JCC will receive $400,000 to expand its nurse aide program, which prepares students to provide basic care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

“Johnston Community College is thrilled to receive this funding, which will allow us to address the critical healthcare workforce shortages in our region,” said JCC President Vern Lindquist.

“By offering new programs in surgical technology and central sterile processing technology and expanding our nurse aide program, we are responding to the needs of our healthcare partners and creating new opportunities for students to enter high-demand fields.”

The first cohort of students in the new programs is expected to begin coursework in January 2025, with full accreditation anticipated by the end of that year. The expanded nurse aide program will increase its course offerings starting in February 2025, ensuring more students have access to this in-demand training.