Skills Enhancement Program (in-house)
Many employees want to change or grow their positions and need to refresh skills, learn medical terminology, or know word processing or other computer skills in order to qualify. Others need or want to earn a GED/high school diploma or learn American Sign Language. Employees interested in taking college entrance exams often need to brush up on skills to prepare. Others may find certain aspects of their job challenging due to math, reading or grammar/writing challenges.
The Skills Enhancement Program offers support for all of the above through small classes taught by caring instructors dedicated to helping employees meet their personal education and career goals. Classes are held at the main East Baltimore campus of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Most classes meet in Phipps or Halsted. Classes meet daytime and evenings to accommodate most employees' schedules. Classes usually meet two hours twice a week. Employees must take classes on their own time. Spring classes generally begin in March. Fall classes start in the August/September time frame. Most courses require skills assessment for accurate class placement. Students previously assessed for a class need not be retested. For testing or placement, call Barbara Edwards 410-614-0273.
STEP (Skills-based Training for Employment Promotion)
If Hospital/Health System employees are interested in crossing over into a skilled health occupation with higher wages but have been unable to do so because of financial, educational, or other barriers, then this program may be of interest to them. The STEP program makes it possible for current employees to develop the skills necessary to pursue career ladder opportunities; work part-time and attend classes full-time (while maintaining full salary/benefits); and receive compensation that will be forgiven based upon working at JHH/JHHS after the successful completion of a training program. Examples of these skilled health occupations include: Clinical Associate, Dietary Manager, Medical Coder, Laboratory Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomist, and Surgical Technician. The training programs are offered at the Baltimore City Community College. The individual training programs begin at various times throughout the year. To be eligible to participate, an employee must: be a parent of a dependent child and meet certain income guidelines; be a full-time employee (minimum of one year) with an above-average work record, without current written warnings or disciplinary actions; receive a written recommendation from immediate supervisor; and possess a high school diploma or GED. For more information, call 410-955-1488.
Project LINC (Ladders in Nursing Careers)
Hospital/Health System employees interested in pursuing a career in Nursing but have been unable to do so because of financial, educational, or other barriers, may be eligible for participation in Project LINC. The LINC program provides an educational opportunity for current employees working toward becoming an Registered Nurse (RN) to attend any nursing school of his/her choice within the Baltimore/Washington region; work part-time and attend classes full-time (while maintaining full salary/benefits); and receive compensation that will be forgiven based upon working at JHH/JHHS after the successful completion of a nursing program and becoming an RN. To be eligible to participate, an employee must: be a U.S. citizen; be a full-time employee (minimum of one year) with an above-average work record, without current written warnings or disciplinary actions; receive a written recommendation from immediate supervisor; possess a high school diploma or GED; completed 9 college credits (for grade) within the past 10 years; and be willing to sign a service commitment agreement. For more information, contact: Sheila Green at 410-502-7884 or call 410- 955-1488.
