Building Partnerships, Programs, and Processes for Rhode Island’s Healthcare Systems
Mission
The Office of Economic Opportunity created PVD HealthWorks (in 2017) to meet the growing demands of the healthcare and social assistance industry in Rhode Island. The innovative program strives to invest in the skillsets which enhance the working potential of a career-ready talent pool. As the state’s healthcare intermediary, we develop partnerships that will create diverse training pipelines, career pathways, and other workforce solutions for the demands of employers and individuals in the healthcare and social assistance industry.
Interested in Exploring A Career in Healthcare?
Our program is your connection to Providence’s largest, growing sector with unique opportunities to directly impact and improve patient care. Do you have what it takes to work in the medical field?
HealthWorks Medical Assistant Program
PVD HealthWorks Medical Assistant Program provides a multipronged technical training offered by Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island, and the Office of Economic Opportunity. Instruction and experiential learning will be provided 5-days per week for up to 24 weeks. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certification of completion, academic credits from Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island, stipends, and experiential learning at one of our healthcare employer partners.
If you want to help others, be part of a team, and prove you have what it takes in the medical field, then check your pulse and attend the PVD HealthWorks Medical Assistant Information Session.
Successful candidates will have: high school diploma or GED certificate, pass a national criminal background check, read at a seventh-grade level or higher, U.S. citizen, permanent resident or have employment authorization card, and highly motivated to learn clinical skills in the healthcare field. Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
Attend an Information Session
PVD HealthWorks will teach you emergency medical services focused on skill-based, hands-on learning exposing you to real life healthcare situations.
You will learn about life-saving measures, how to earn certifications, expand your network, and find healthcare job opportunities through American Job Centers.
If you want to help others, be part of a team, and prove you have what it takes in the medical field, then check your pulse and attend the PVD HealthWorks Career Exploration Information Session at the Providence One Stop, netWORKri, 1 Reservoir Avenue, Providence, RI.
Register for the Medical Assistant Program Information Session
Providence One Stop, netWORKri, 1 Reservoir Avenue, Providence, RI.
Dates: April 22, 23, 24
9:30-10:30 am
1:00-2:00 pm
or call 401-680-8410.
Register for a Healthcare Career Exploration Information Session
Providence One Stop, netWORKri, 1 Reservoir Avenue, Providence, RI.
Date: May 2, 2019
9:30-10:30 am
1:00-2:00 pm
6:00-7:00 pm
or call 401-680-8410.
Talent Management
Our demand-driven programs match skills training to high demand employer workforce needs. We connect qualified professionals with employers looking for top talent. PVD HealthWorks actively fosters system solutions around shared needs to maximize employment capacity and access while filling open positions with skilled talent.
Pre-Apprenticeship Framework
PVD HealthWorks employs a competency model of skill development utilizing experiential learning and mentorship. Where appropriate, credentialing and certification is sought to assure that future employees meet quality standards and align with existing workplace requirements.
A Phased Approach
The first phase began in 2018 with training cohorts for Medical Assistants and Direct Support Professionals. An important goal of each cohort is to build an environment that emphasizes collaboration and team building; a valuable asset in today’s workplace. The cohort model invites student participation, fosters creativity, builds leadership skills, and generates a sense of community.
Viable Employment & Career Pathways
The entry to employment focuses on high demand occupations and invests in the right talent with the right competencies and skills to support the healthcare and social assistance labor market. PVD HealthWorks partners with state-wide health care organizations to expedite this skilled talent into available career pathways.
PVD HealthWorks
Demand-driven programs:
- Medical Assistants I and II
- Direct Support Professionals I and II
- Pharmacy Technicians I
- Dental Assistants
PVD MED – Youth Programs
The mission of PVD MED is to improve diversity in healthcare professions through pipeline programs for youth while serving at-risk youth through education, career development, and health promotion. PVD MED will provide young adults an opportunity to learn emergency medical services and life skills that will prepare them for a career in healthcare. This blended model focuses on clinical didactics and simulation exposing youth to real-life situations. Youth will have the opportunity to learn life-saving measures, earn certifications, and expand their network in healthcare.
This first phase of PVD MED is a Life and Health Safety cohort program. This model will build an environment that emphasizes collaboration and team building; a valuable asset in today’s healthcare workplace. The evidence-based cohort model invites youth participation, fosters creativity, builds leadership skills, and generates a sense of community.
PVD MED is committed to providing Providence youth healthcare pathways. It is essential to the health equity of our city to develop a diverse, culturally competent healthcare workforce. Our youth, families, and communities are the Heartbeat of the City; the time is now to develop Providence’s healthcare talent.
Feel free to contact us
Jody A. Jencks
PVD HealthWorks Director
Office of Economic Opportunity
444 Westminster Street, 3rd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
401-680-8410 Office
401-263-3412 Cell
