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• Northwest AHEC

Health Careers Diversity and Recruitment

Vision Statement: "All healthcare agencies in the Northwest AHEC 17-county region have a diverse and culturally competent workforce at all health profession levels."

Northwest AHEC is committed to diversity and cultural competency not only due to its diverse constituency but recognizes that ultimately the future health outcomes of its constituency will be dependent upon a diverse and culturally competent workforce. To that end, Northwest AHEC offers the following programs.

K-12 Programs

Vision Statement: "Every K-12 student in the Northwest AHEC 17-county region is aware of and excited about the broad spectrum of health careers as viable and attainable career options."  

Download the K-8 Health Careers Guide for Grades K-8 (pdf)

 

Structured Programs

Project SEARCH Academy (Middle School): Student Education, Awareness, and Recruitment for Careers in Health
Project SEARCH is a six day enrichment program for rising 8th grade students designed to recruit, educate, prepare and enhance the academic science qualifications of middle school students as they transition to high school. The program includes a 1 week in-residence component on the campus of Wake Forest University where students work closely with WFU Biology department faculty, students and staff.  During the program, students build on their past experiences and current knowledge in the areas of cell and microbiology all while gaining a better understanding of the terminology of science. Throughout the week, students participate in guided career facilitation sessions with a WS/FC high school guidance counselor who assists the students in preparing a plan for the remainder of high school and their post-secondary education.  To conclude the program, students participate in a twenty hour shadowing experience with a health professional and are tutored once a week by HOSA students,  all in their home community.

Camp Med (High School)
Camp Med is a one-week summer day camp designed to recruit, educate and prepare high school students for careers in the health profession. Each camp's logistics are the result of collaboration between the local school system and the local hospital. Students receive the NC Health Careers Manual which provides information for 88 careers. The program specifically aims to identify at least fifteen (15) diverse high school students in grades 9-12 who have an interest in and the academic potential for a career in the health sciences. These students are chosen from the seventeen (17) counties that make up the Northwest AHEC region.9-12 CERTL/Northwest AHEC Mini-Fellowship in Research Program.

Awareness Programs

Northwest AHEC Puppet Bunch (Elementary School)

Target Grade Levels: Kindergarten, first and second grades

Objectives: (1) Introduce children to healthcare careers, breaking down perceived ethnic and gender barriers, through the use of puppets and a video.
(2) Increase awareness of healthy behaviors and the importance of calling Emergency "911" through participation in group games.
Maximum group size: 200 students per presentation
School Equipment needed: Large television and VCR or DVD
Length of presentation: 30 minutes 
Handout: Four-page coloring sheet with Healthy Behaviors game

Request Form (this should be a link to document): Schools in the Northwest AHEC region are encouraged to make a request by completing this request form and faxing it as close as possible to the start of each new school year.

CATCH (Catch A Totally Cool Health Career)

Target Grade Levels: Third, fourth, and fifth grades
Objective: Introduce children to healthcare careers through the random selection of pre-chosen healthcare careers and the use of medically oriented props (i.e., clothing and equipment).
Maximum group size: 100 students per presentation
Length of presentation: 45 minutes
Handout: Booklet outlining 11 healthcare careers, job descriptions/duties, clothing, and equipment used.

Request Form (this should be a link to document): Schools in the Northwest AHEC region are encouraged to make a request by completing this request form and faxing it as close as possible to the start of each new school year.

Choice or Chance (Middle School)

Target Grade Levels: Sixth, seventh, and eighth grades
Objective: (1) Introduce students to healthcare careers through the random selection of pre-chosen healthcare careers and the use of medically oriented props.
(2) Provide students with information on secondary education classes, postsecondary education requirements, and earning potential.
Maximum group size: 100 students per presentation
Length of presentation: 45 minutes
Handout: Booklet outlining 11 healthcare careers, job descriptions/duties, clothing, and equipment used.

Request Form: Schools in the Northwest AHEC region are encouraged to make a request by completing this request form (pdf file) and faxing it as close as possible to the start of each new school year. Click here to view COOL PEOPLE COOL CAREERS online.

Future Leaders in Health Care Annual Conference (High School)

The Future Leaders in Health Care Conference targets high school students that have a strong interest in healthcare as a future career. The conference includes educational workshops and discussions on specific topics like leadership development, public health issues, cultural diversity in healthcare, adolescent health, volunteerism, bioterrorism, and more. Students also have the opportunity to network with several colleges and universities and healthcare professionals.

This conference is part of the NC AHEC mission to improve the supply and distribution of the healthcare workforce by providing support at every link of the educational pipeline. Focus is placed on minority and disadvantaged students because statistics show that in all health professions, minority populations continue to be under-represented relative to the overall population in the state. The United States Department of Health and Human Services states that "increasing the number of minority health professionals is viewed as a partial solution to improving access to care. Several studies have shown that under-represented minority health profession graduates are more likely to enter primary care specialties and to voluntarily practice in or near designated primary care workforce shortage areas."

HEALTH CAREERS MANUAL
A great resource which is specifically designed for the state of North Carolina. The North Carolina Health Careers manual provides information for over 90 different health occupations including job descriptions, average salaries, NC state post-secondary institutions, financial aid opportunities, etc.

Diversity/ Cultural Competency Program
Four diverse and seasoned Northwest AHEC staff have designed a diversity/ cultural competency workshop for healthcare professionals which addresses issues likely to be encountered in clinical practices given the major population increases for non-white groups. For more information, please contact Jennifer Casey at jencasey@wakehealth.edu or (336) 713-7705.

Recruitment

RN Refresher