What You Should Know:
– Intermountain Health, a healthcare provider, has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from Colorado’s Opportunity Now program.
– The grant will be used to launch Pathfinders, an innovative initiative designed to address workforce shortages in the healthcare sector.
Opportunity Now Colorado Grant Fuels Innovation
The Opportunity Now Colorado grant program is a Colorado government initiative designed to foster job creation and empower the state’s workforce. Intermountain Health is one of 43 grant recipients across 17 industries. The grant money will be used to develop Pathfinders, a unique program that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to connect job seekers with opportunities in healthcare.
Pathfinders: Redefining Entry into Healthcare Careers
Pathfinders offers a comprehensive approach to bridge the skills gap in healthcare. The program targets individuals in the Denver and Grand Junction areas who are:
- Earning less than $15 per hour
- Lacking a four-year college degree
- Unemployed
The program extends beyond traditional demographics, specifically aiming to reach nontraditional students, full-time workers, and parents seeking career advancement.
Key Features of Pathfinders:
- AI-powered Job Matching: FutureFit, an AI platform, assesses job seeker skills and identifies suitable career paths in healthcare.
- Skills-based Hiring: Intermountain’s recruitment team utilizes FutureFit to recommend candidates based on skills and potential, ensuring a meritocratic hiring process.
- Upskilling and Education: Pathfinders offers fully-funded tuition coverage for entry-level healthcare roles like certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, or sterile processing technicians.
- Career Pathways: The program provides clear pathways for advancement towards higher-level healthcare professions such as nursing, radiology, and behavioral health. This includes financial aid to pursue certifications or college degrees.
- Holistic Support: Pathfinders goes beyond academics, offering participants career coaching, financial guidance, language skills support, and access to essential services like transportation and healthcare.
Benefits for Participants and Colorado’s Healthcare Landscape
Pathfinders is designed to benefit both participants and the Colorado healthcare sector. Participants gain access to in-demand careers, financial support, and a clear path for professional growth. This initiative helps address Colorado’s growing need for skilled healthcare workers, ensuring a stronger and more prepared workforce.
Pilot Program with Ambitious Goals
The Pathfinders program is a pilot project with the goal of upskilling 30 Coloradans per year for the initial two years. Following successful implementation, Intermountain aims to expand the program to other healthcare providers and locations throughout Colorado.
Seeking to Join Pathfinders?
Job seekers interested in learning more about Pathfinders and exploring career opportunities with Intermountain Health in the Denver and Grand Junction areas can visit the Intermountain Health careers webpage, send an email to recruitment@imail.org, or call 1-800-843-7820.
