Workforce Investment Programs for the Care Industry

About IHA

The Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) is a nonprofit regional healthcare trade organization representing more than 50 hospitals and health systems across 32 counties of Upstate New York. IHA represents our members’ interests in advocacy efforts with key decision makers, collects workforce data and offers innovative programs.

 

Background

In 2018, IHA was designated as the only statewide Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) by the New York State Department of Health to train, retrain, recruit and retain healthcare workers in the long-term care sector through funds made available by the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT).

The funding given to IHA WIO was used to design, implement and facilitate a comprehensive online training program and a creative multimedia recruitment campaign. The training program offered free online courses to long-term care workers across the state and allowed long-term care facilities the opportunity to transition to online learning during the first wave of COVID-19. It also provided technology in the form of Google Chromebooks to enable easy access to a virtual learning platform. The recruitment campaign worked to change the perception of the care industry with creative digital, tv, radio and out of home advertisements and encouraged people to apply for jobs in care.

Program Impacts

At the end of the four-year funding the IHA WIO program had trained 18,000 long-term care workers and distributed 5,000 Google Chromebooks to help employees access the training. The recruitment campaign has reached over 2 million job seekers across New York State and has won upwards of 10 international awards for creative and effective marketing.

The initial funding gave IHA WIO the foundation and expertise to produce additional programs, listed above, that aim to strengthen the healthcare workforce across NYS in innovative ways.

“At the end of the four-year funding the IHA WIO program had trained 18,000 long-term care workers and distributed 5,000 Google Chromebooks across NYS.”

Training for the Care Industry

IHA WIO is answering healthcare’s call for help by training dedicated employees for acute and long-term care careers throughout New York State. The goal: to develop a robust workforce with a deep desire to care for New York’s vulnerable populations at acute healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, and at home. The team at IHA WIO has been busy over the last several years improving care for the long term. Through the support and dedication of our valued partners, our efforts have led to:
  • 18,000 Long term care workers trained
  • 5,000 Google Chromebooks distributed to facilitate online training
  • 200+ Long term care provider partners
These highlights and more are summarized in our latest accomplishments report and video.

Caring Gene®: Caring Is Your Calling

Do you have it? That instinctive desire to want to help others? If so, you may have the Caring Gene® – which means you could be pre-qualified for a career in the CARE industry.

This innovative, multi-media recruitment campaign, brought to you by the IHA WIO, aims to increase the applicant pool for long term care career and training opportunities across New York state.

Whether you’re a provider or someone looking for a rewarding career, visit us at www.caringgene.org to learn more.

 

The Iroquois Mission

To serve as a resource and leader to support our members and the communities they serve through advocacy, education, information, cost-saving initiatives and business solutions.

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