Inova Health System and ServiceSource Launch Career Development Program

Pilot Program to Focus on Rising Demand for Skilled Healthcare Professionals

Falls Church, VA – (December 15, 2008) — CareerSTAT, a collaborative program of Inova Health System and ServiceSource, was officially launched at the inaugural meeting of the Northern Virginia Healthcare Business Advisory Council (BAC) on December 12.  CareerSTAT is a pilot program that will focus on meeting the rising demand for skilled workers in healthcare professions.

The program design supports individuals with disabilities with job development and placement services, follow-along support and training and career advancement options subsidized by health care sector employers. The BAC will work to develop an effective combination of training and placement services that will lead to successful careers in the healthcare industry.

“The outstanding partnership that exists in Northern Virginia within the healthcare and education communities has paved the way for an aggressive agenda,” said Daniel Nichols, director, system recruitment, Inova Health System. “That agenda is to support and advance individuals with disabilities in jobs and career growth in healthcare, and to specifically target assistance for war-wounded service members and individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury.”

The identified positions will start at twice the minimum wage and offer skill development and training opportunities to encourage advancement and career growth.  Recruitment and outreach efforts will target returning wounded service members, youth with disabilities, and individuals with significant barriers to employment, notably individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury.

“This partnership is unique to the industry and will be central not only in meeting the demand for skilled workers in healthcare, but also in providing individuals with disabilities in Northern Virginia the tools they need to become gainfully employed,” said Bruce Patterson, Senior Vice President at ServiceSource.

CareerSTAT is funded by a United States Department of Education/Rehabilitation Services Administration Projects with Industry (PWI) Grant.  The grant award provides over $1.5 million over a five year period to be used in advancing jobs and career opportunities with the healthcare sector in Northern Virginia. Over the next five years, the CareerSTAT program is expected to support and advance more than 460 individuals with disabilities in jobs and career growth in the healthcare industry.

ServiceSource is a not-for-profit, community-based rehabilitation and employment services provider that is dedicated to providing quality vocational rehabilitation and employment services to people with disabilities. As part of the ServiceSource Network, the organization employs over 1,100 people with disabilities in nine states and the District of Columbia, and serves more than 11,000 people with disabilities nationwide.

For more information about the CareerSTAT Program, contact Rosalinde Harper at 703-970-3645 or rharper@ourpeoplework.org.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

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