Rhodes State College preparing students for quick entry into the medical field through regional collaborations

Rhodes State College is offering two paths to earn certification as a Patient Care Technician or a State Tested Nurse Aide through local partnerships. The first focuses on high school students and is being carried out through a collaboration with Delphos City Schools, Lima Memorial Health System, and Mercy Health St. Rita's. The second path is open to both high school students and adults and pairs Rhodes State College with the Putnam County Educational Service Center.

Through the first partnership (the Healthcare Occupations Pathway Experience, or HOPE), high school students attending Delphos City Schools can earn a Patient Care Technician certificate along with twelve high school credit hours by completing this program. Classes are taught virtually by Rhodes instructors with lab hours to be completed at the Career Connections Center at Delphos Jefferson High School. Rhodes State College will work with Lima Memorial Health System and Mercy Health St. Rita's to provide opportunities for job shadowing and employment resources to students who complete the program. As explained by Dean of Health Sciences and Public Services at Rhodes State College Angela Heaton in a recent release, "The mission of Rhodes is to change lives, build futures and improve communities through life-long learning. This initiative supports our mission by providing hospitals with a pool of entry-level employees with the necessary skills and credentials to contribute to the workforce immediately, and it provides students with a high-demand healthcare career. It is a great opportunity for students to jump start their career while still in high school."

The second new partnership will enable participants to complete an eleven week course to train to become a State Tested Nurse Aide, possibly at no cost to eligible students. Those who complete the program will qualify to take the state certification exam for credentialization. The program was created to fill a need for more trained workers in the healthcare field and can serve as a launching point for starting a broader education and career in healthcare. As noted by Heaton in another recent release, "STNAs are in high demand and the training they receive with Rhodes State College will enable them to enter the workforce for immediate employment or continue along career pathways for advanced degrees."