Drake has been certified to administer the national language test, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), since 1983. The test results will be sent to Mercy College of Health Sciences for final evaluation and selection of students for the next semester of the Pathways to Healthcare Careers Iowa project.
Pathways to Healthcare Careers Iowa plans to recruit, screen and train approximately 300 immigrants and refugees between 2010 and 2012 to enable and prepare them for certification in a nationally recognized healthcare career.
Iowa is currently experiencing a shortage in seven healthcare careers:
- Medical billing and coding
- Emergency medical technician
- Nursing assistant
- Medication aide
- Medical assistant
- Paramedic
- Surgical technologist
This shortage is expected to continue in the future. The project aims to address this growing problem and also diversify healthcare personnel at the direct patient level.
Drake University has agreed to administer the language proficiency test for all three years of the project. The first tests were administered in July.
“We think this is a worthwhile program to help newer people in our community find jobs in a profession that truly needs people,” said Thomas Grouling, Drake’s associate director of international programs and services.
“This program is providing a valuable service to the community, and it is yet another example of how Drake University is providing services to not just its own students, staff and faculty, but to the wider Des Moines community.”
The immigrants and refugees who do not meet the basic English language requirements will be referred through the Bureau of Refugee Services for additional language assistance.
Pathways to Healthcare Careers Iowa is a cooperative project between Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Department of Workforce Development, the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services and various other healthcare employment partners.
It is funded by $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
Anyone interested in enrolling in the program can complete an online contact form , or call Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions at 515-643-6715.
Additional information about Pathways to Healthcare Careers Iowa can be found at http://www.iowapathways.org/, or by calling Jim Tagye, marketing manager at Mercy College of Health Sciences, at 515-643-6678.