EFFECTIVE EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT Accelerated Career Pathways Amarillo College

EFFECTIVE EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT Accelerated Career Pathways Amarillo College

DOL TAACCCT GRANT Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Act – Community College and Career Training Grant A 4 -year grant, with Round 2 grants running from October 2012 through September 2016.

DOL TAACCCT GRANT In addition to competitive grant awards, each state was given a $2. 5 million grant for a single (non-consortium) community college. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board selected Amarillo College to receive this grant award for the state of Texas.

FIVE CORE ELEMENTS REQUIRED 1. Evidence-Based Design (data driven quality improvement) 2. Stacked and Latticed Credentials (options for further training) 3. Online and Technology-Enabled Learning (simulators, etc. ) 4. Transferability and Articulation

FIVE CORE ELEMENTS REQUIRED 5. Strategic Alignment with: Employers and Industry *** Public Workforce System Educational Institutions

STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATION AT AC Training programs from 5 weeks to 2 years in length that result in credentials and/or licensing in industry-specific fields Online learning segments and simulated technology that allow students to progress rapidly and build hands-on competencies

STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATION AT AC Strengthening adult basic education skills by contextualizing English and math skills with core content study materials Supplemental instructors available in learning labs and outside class study sessions to assist students who are struggling

STRATEGIES FOR FINDING/KEEPING A JOB Include instruction on job readiness skills: the job search process completing job applications resume writing practice interviews

STRATEGIES FOR FINDING/KEEPING A JOB Include instruction on the “Soft Skills” employers want: communication skills work ethic problem solving skills teamwork customer relations

ACCELERATED HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS Existing programs implemented redesign elements in 2013: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – continuing ed. Phlebotomy – continuing ed.

ACCELERATED HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS New programs being created for Fall 2014: Patient Care Technician – continuing ed. EKG Technician – continuing ed. Clinical Medical Assistant – for-credit program

ACCELERATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS Existing program with some elements of redesign implemented in 2013: Professional Truck Driving – continuing ed. Existing program, to implement redesign elements in fall 2014: Diesel Mechanics – for-credit program

ACCELERATED MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS Existing programs, to implement redesign elements in fall 2014: Utility Power Worker – for-credit Machining Technician – for-credit Industrial Technology– for-credit Electromechanical Technician Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Instrument and Electronics Technician Solar Technician Wind Technician

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT #1 AC asked area employers to identify their most high demand occupations in 2012. The top 10 occupations named were selected for inclusion in Accelerated Career Pathways – 5 at the Health Sciences campus and 5 at the Technical Education Campus.

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT #2 CEO Forums were held in summer 2013, asking CEO’s from small, medium, and large companies to identify concerns about today’s workforce. One major concern was the lack of “soft skills, ” or general workplace success skills, in many young job applicants.

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT #3 Employer Focus Groups are being held with each separate industry group, starting in 2013 and continuing this year. At these group meetings, employers complete surveys and discuss the skills they want new hires to bring with them. Survey results help shape curriculum.

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT #4 Existing industry advisory committees for AC training programs will be asked for ongoing assessment of the upgraded curricula: Are new hires from AC’s redesigned programs better prepared than in the past? Does the redesigned curriculum meet industry standards?

RESULTS OF EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT At this still early stage of implementation, employer input has been a great influence: Faculty are using employer survey results to guide curriculum redesign. Faculty are exploring ways to effectively teach the needed soft skills.

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT: EAST CAMPUS Employer Involvement as part of the big picture at Amarillo College’s Technical Education Campus. Presented by Lyndy Forrester, Dean of Technical Education

EMPLOYER INVOLVEMENT: WEST CAMPUS Employer Involvement as part of specific training programs at Amarillo College’s Health Sciences Campus. Presented by Mark Rowh, Dean of Health Sciences

CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM SEQUENCE OF EVENTS Received grant from Department of Labor Gained Letters of Support from Community and Regional Partners Held Employer Focus Groups to Gather Informal Comments/Data, Surveyed Employer Representatives WTER Culminates All Data into Formal Report (handout) Hired Consultants, etc. Held Faculty Focus Groups (handout)

BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TOGETHER Organizations Represented at CMA Focus Group Hubbard Family Clinic Pampa Regional Medical Center Allergy Arts Northwest Hospital AISD Family Medical Clinic (including Pediatrics) Care Xpress Absentee Surveys Sent/Collected BSA National Home Health Valmed CISD Texas Tech Health Sciences Pampa Regional Medical Center Dr. Crossnoe's Clinic Regence Health Dr. Rush's Clinic Family Medical Centers Amarillo Heart Group

KEY POINTS EXPRESSED FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT FOCUS GROUP MEETING (INFORMAL) CMA used routinely at Care Xpress in various positions Current CMAs are needing much more training at the facilities (especially Allergy Arts, Pediatrics) Recommended variation in clinical experiences so they get experience in different areas such as being able to give shots to babies. Not sure other programs even have clinical rotations. AC could give students an advantage, especially if they really make sure someone is helping those students willingly (i. e. students not being with people who don’t want to be with those students)

INFORMAL KEY POINTS CONTINUED Allergy Arts has a need with the lab with shots and IV meds because of limited offering in Amarillo (alternative is hospital where they are more likely to be exposed to viruses while they are on autoimmune suppressants) Stressed need to write, spell, sense of responsibility and accountability, customer service skills, common sense, technology (electronic medical records), take initiative, be professional, dress appropriately to go to an interview At the hospital, they can’t really hire a CMA because they have no clinical experience, so AC students could have an advantage if clinicals are part of the program. They need to learn how to give shots and take vital signs. There is a need in the hospitals and Pavilion for CMAs.

INFORMAL KEY POINTS CONTINUED CMAs need to understand abnormal readings and basic clinical knowledge on how to test and perform procedures Certification is absolutely important; makes a difference in what they get paid. The more advanced their training, the better they are likely to be paid. Recommended 120 hours of clinicals (based on the range from Phlebotomy and CNA) especially for hospital, specialized fields They were favorable to the clinicals being embedded into the curriculum (alternating between class and clinical) High turnover in the field for various reasons but that means an ongoing need. More Care Xpress clinics are opening up around the area.

INFORMAL KEY POINTS CONTINUED Need skills in passing patient from one area to the next and making sure questions have been answered before they leave. (customer service) Other programs are also giving unrealistic expectations on pay without any experience – just the class. AC brings with it respectability. “I would be very happy with an AC program because they have such a good reputation. ” “I would welcome a program from AC with open arms. ” Other programs at AC produce professionals more consistently than other programs. No concerns about an AC CMA program were identified.

OUR NEW PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL MEDICAL ASSISTANT (ONE-YEAR ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE) General Education Requirements (10 semester hours) Natural Sciences-4 hours BIOL-2401 -Human Anatomy and Physiology I Related Required Courses-6 hours HITT-1305 -Medical Terminology I BCIS-1305 -Business Computer Applications Major Course Requirements (22 hours) MDCA-1321 -Administrative Procedures MDCA-1352 -Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures POFM-1327 -Medical Insurance

Major Course Requirements Continued: HPRS-1205 -Essentials of Medical Law/Ethics for Health Professionals MDCA-1210 -Medical Assistant Interpersonal and Communication Skills MDCA-1164 -Practicum (or Field Experience) Medical/Clinical Assistant MDCA-1348 -Pharmacology and Administration of Medications MDCA-1264 -Practicum (or Field Experience) Medical/Clinical Assistant MDCA-1317 -Procedures in a Clinical Setting Total (32 Semester Hours)

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE… First Cohort of Students Beginning Fall 2014 Graduates Who Pass CMA Certification Guaranteed Pathway into Licensed Vocational Nursing Program Redesign CMA Program year-two (as needed) QUESTIONS? Thank you for letting us speak today!

AMARILLO COLLEGE PRESENTERS Janice Johnston, Director of Dept. of Labor TAACCCT Grant Project jmjohnston 31@actx. edu Lyndy Forrester, Dean of Technical Education lforrester@actx. edu Mark Rowh, Dean of Health Sciences merowh@actx. edu

FUNDED BY U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR This presentation was funded by a grant awarded by the U. S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U. S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to , accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.

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