Graduates Step Up the Healthcare Career Ladder

The second graduation of Stepping Up Healthcare Career Exploration, a 12-week career ladder training program in Woonsocket took place this week with two participants headed to new jobs in the healthcare field.

Nine graduates along with their families, friends and community partners gathered at Christiansen Conference Center at Landmark Medical Center to celebrate their accomplishments which included successfully completing seven weeks of classroom training at (FRCA) followed by 5 weeks of an internship at or . Participants interned in areas such as environmental services, reception, dietary assistance and radiology.

After over 20 years as a repair technician, graduate Mark Tate contemplated change and found Stepping Up to be the perfect transition to a new career. With optimism and a positive attitude he will soon begin his new position in environmental services at Landmark Hospital. “Every aspect of your life is supported while you are pursing a career with Stepping Up and Family Resources Community Action,” Tate said.

Graduate Shayna Viens added, “I’ve gained a lot of confidence and I’ve learned so much. I am looking forward to putting that learning into practice.” Viens was offered a position at Thundermist Health Center.

“It has been inspiring to see the tremendous growth in the participants’ skills and confidence, to see them rise to challenges and to feel the support they give to each other,” added Joe Potenza, FRCA  Adult Program Manager.

Carol Hartmann Rabbitt, FRCA Work Skills Instructor noted, “I am humbled and inspired by the focus, determination, motivation and willpower of these exceptional individuals to succeed in the face of academic and personal challenges. I look forward to continuing to support them in their paths to successful employment.”

Additional Stepping Up Healthcare program graduates included Denise Arsenault, Cathy Jarret, Glennis Beauvais, Elizabeth Santana, Therese Knight, Aisha Felix, and Chymeria Johnson. In addition to reflections from the graduates on their career goals and experiences, featured speakers included The Hon. Leo T. Fontaine, Mayor of Woonsocket; Lisa Zapatka, Chief Nursing Officer, Landmark Medical Center and Rehabilitation Hospital, Chuck Jones, CIO/Executive Director Thundermist Health Center, Ben Lessing, FRCA Executive Director and Adrienne Newsome, Stepping Up. 

Fontaine praised the participants for taking control of their lives. “You are becoming part of the solution to better yourselves,” he said.

“For some individuals this may be the beginning of their employment journey; for others a next step toward a career in healthcare,” said Ben Lessing, FRCA Executive Director. “Stepping Up provides these graduates with the means to obtain entry level employment in the healthcare field and encourages them to set their sights on the future toward advanced training, education and job opportunities.”

Applications are now being accepted for the next class beginning in September, 2011. Interested individuals should attend the special Stepping Up Information Session, held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at 55 Main Street, Woonsocket. A general information session about all FRCA Employment & Training programs is held every Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the same location. For more information, contact Carol Hartmann Rabbitt at 401-235-6074 or chartmannrabbitt@famresri.org.

Stepping Up’s goal is to provide education, training and support services for eligible Rhode Island residents interested in creating long-term careers in healthcare, starting in entry-level positions and advancing to credentialed high-growth, high-demand careers within the hospitals.