Pickaway-Ross Technical Center Teams with Adena Health System to Address Workforce Shortages

Before anyone even heard of COVID-19, the healthcare industry was struggling to find qualified medical professionals. Dealing with a one-two punch of aging baby boomers requiring more care and an increase in patients during and after the pandemic, the need for skilled medical professionals nationwide is higher than ever.

A medical profession at the forefront is medical assisting. Medical assistants have been one of the most in-demand medical professions thanks to their versatility. They are perfect candidates to help fill many open positions and assist other areas that may be understaffed because they have been cross trained to perform administrative and clinical duties.

In 2018, Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center’s Ohio Technical Center teamed up with long-time clinical partner Adena Health System to address its shortage in a unique way. Historically, healthcare institutions conduct employee training with their staff members when qualified applicants are in short supply, but with this partnership, Adena turned to Pickaway-Ross to help it fill the need.

Together, the two created a customized MA training program designed to upskill current employees at Adena who wished to advance their career in the health-care industry. The program was offered to current Adena employees free of charge through the Learning and Organizational Development Department and allowed employees to earn their MA certification.

The partnership began with its first cohort in 2019 and is now in its fourth cohort. The program, which won anOhio Talent Development Network Innovative Project award, has been expanded to offer two cohorts per year to meet the ever-increasing demand. The most recent cohort is the largest to date, with 13 individuals set to complete the program in September; the third cohort is scheduled to complete in April. At the completion of the fourth cohort, nearly 40 students will have earned their certifications with the program.

In addition to two cohorts a year, the program, which takes place on the campus of Adena Health System, has undergone other changes and additions. The program takes seven months to complete, meeting three nights per week. The focus of the training is on the clinical component, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology. As the students enter the final course of the program, they are moved into medical assistant positions within Adena Health System.

Employees are eligible to apply for the program after they have been employed for at least one year and remain in good standing. After application, they go through an interview process and, if they qualify, they are placed into the program. Their current manager is notified of their program placement and works with the talent acquisition team to find a replacement.