Discover How the Alabama Community College System is Expanding Health Science Programs to Boost Your Career Opportunities – WAKA 8

The Alabama Community College System announced exciting news on January 15, 2024. They plan to expand health science programs across community colleges in the state.

At a recent news conference in Montgomery, officials introduced the new Nursing Support Technician-Certified (NST-C) program. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for healthcare workers.

ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker emphasized the importance of producing skilled healthcare professionals. “We strive to meet the needs of our business partners while making education accessible for everyone,” he said.

The need for nursing support technicians is significant. There are currently between 12,000 and 14,000 of these technicians working in Alabama’s hospitals, healthcare facilities, and home care. They play essential roles, including drawing blood and assisting with respiratory care.

The Alabama Board of Nursing has announced this new credential to help fill over 2,000 job openings statewide. “For the last decade, we’ve led efforts to tackle the nursing shortage,” said Peggy Benson, Executive Officer for the Board. “The NST-C program allows us to create innovative solutions to these challenges.”

The NST-C program is designed for individuals eager to support nurses and deliver basic nursing care. It provides the training needed to excel in various healthcare settings.

Additionally, the ACCS is seeing success with its Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs. There are 22 options, including pathways from LPN to registered nurse (RN) and programs for military medics to become LPNs.

In partnership with 62 employers across seven regions, 14 ACCS colleges have launched registered LPN nursing apprenticeship programs. This effort is part of a broader trend, with dual enrollment numbers rising by 150% since 2015.

These developments show a promising future for healthcare education in Alabama, helping to meet both worker needs and educational goals.

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