Technology-Enabled Pathways in Healthcare (TEPH)

Technology-Enabled Pathways in Healthcare (TEPH) supports the development of innovative approaches to address current and future workforce needs in the health services/sciences industry. OTC will serve the diverse workforce needs of TAA-eligible workers and other adults in many counties within its service area that fall below the national and state unemployment rates, as well as other counties. This institution will work with area employers as it develops hybrid opportunities in health services, as well as a focused Industrial Maintenance path that will lead to qualifications to repair and maintain medical equipment in health service institutions. In addition, a retention specialist and transcript evaluator will be hired within the project to ensure students, including veterans, are provided with the necessary support and resources needed to be successful. Each priority within this project will offer clinical and/or work-based training. Priority 1: Create hybrid classes for Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). Strategies: OTC will work with accreditation agencies and advisory committees to offer an ASN in a hybrid online format. This opportunity will offer the seated portion of the course in the Table Rock Campus, located in Taney County, and the Lebanon Education Center, located in Laclede County. By allowing students to enter the hybrid option, they may complete much of their work online, allowing for more flexibility within schedules and opportunities to those in rural areas. Priority 2: Create hybrid classes for Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). Strategies: OTC will work with accreditation agencies and advisory committees to offer an OTA in a hybrid online format. This opportunity will allow students to complete much of their work online, allowing for more flexibility within schedules and opportunities to those in rural areas. Priority 3: Add a hybrid Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) option to the Associate degree in Industrial Maintenance. Strategies: OTC will partner with area healthcare facilities to determine training needs for BMET emphasis. As a growing industry, there is a need for specialized training that focuses on the repair and maintenance of biomedical equipment. Students will attain a degree in Industrial Maintenance while gaining the specialized skill set needed to enter the BMET field. Priority 4: Enhance Student Services through Retention Specialist and Transcript Evaluator for Veterans. Strategies: OTC will hire a retention specialist and transcript evaluator to enhance services provided to the target population. The retention specialist will act as an intentional advisor that will assist students from entrance to completion. The transcript evaluator for Veteran's Services will support returning veterans as they transfer into the institution. This person will assist in evaluating transcripts to determine training and knowledge that can be applied to technical and health-related fields. By doing so, veterans will be given credit that will allow them to accelerate through the program and enter the workforce faster. TEPH will offer more opportunities to workers residing in communities that do not have easy access to higher education institutions. It will also address the needs of a growing market as hospitals look toward retaining their own equipment repairers as opposed to paying the costs of bringing in original equipment manufacturers when repairs and maintenance are needed. This project will also address the needs of veterans re-entering the workforce.