Health industry shapes
GRCC entry-level training
Elizabeth Slowik

Grand Rapids Community College was responding to industry requests when it established three new training programs last year for entry-level health care jobs, said the director of training solutions.

The programs train pharmacy technicians, patient registration specialists and health unit coordinators, and two of the three prepare students for a certification test, GRCC Director of Training Solutions Julie Parks said.

"The goal of the class is to help them be as successful as possible on that test," Program Manager Jillian Rainwater said.

The pharmacy technician program lasts 32 weeks, meets weekly and includes 32 hours of internships, she said. The cost is $1,595.

"We had people from retail pharmacies and hospital pharmacies help us put together the curriculum for the program," Parks added. It's taught by local pharmacists.

Rainwater said one successful pilot program drew 50 students, and two new sessions started this fall, including one in Ottawa County.

"It's the highest level job you can have through a job training program without having a degree in health care," Parks said, adding that pay starts around $11 an hour.

Rainwater said the program has drawn a diverse mix of students, from recent high school graduates to displaced middle-aged workers.

"We had a lot more interest than we have room for," she added. "I think it's a sign of the economy, and people are looking for jobs in new fields."

Programs for patient registration specialist and health unit coordinator jobs each last for eight weeks.

Rainwater said the patient registration specialist program is at capacity for the current school year and a waiting list has been started. The $595 program focuses on topics such as customer service, medical terminology and software training, Parks said. No certification test is required.

Openings are still available in the second semester health unit coordinator program, Rainwater said. This eight-week, $425 program prepares students for a certification exam and trains them to be "communications central" for a medical unit, such as a hospital nursing unit or a nursing home, added Parks.

She said the programs are a good way for people to explore the health field and earn money while pursuing a college degree.

For those already in the field, GRCC is offering a set of 12 classes called "Insights into Optimal Health." The sessions count toward continuing education credit for certified nurse assistants, social workers and dental workers, Rainwater said, although they are open to all health professionals.

The classes build on a central theme of wellness, and those attending can attend as many as they would like, Rainwater said. The series runs through February.

Developed by 15 employers, some of the classes are free and some carry a charge. For more information, see the Web site at www.grcclearn.com.

Statewide Figures, 2007-09

Pharmacy Technicians Health Care Support Occupations

Annual Openings 502 3,702

Projected Employment 10,796 144,047

Source: Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth