AHN Jefferson Hospital Launches Talent Attraction Program for High School Students and Community Members

AHN Jefferson Hospital Launches Talent Attraction Program for High School Students and Community Members Interested in New Career Path, Urges All Interested to Apply Now
A first-of-its-kind in the region, initiative aims to help promote diversity and inclusion at Jefferson Hospital and AHN over the next four years

Jefferson Hills, Pa.  – In collaboration with the Jefferson Regional Foundation, Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Jefferson Hospital announced today the launch of a new, first-of-its-kind work-study initiative – the “Talent Attraction Program” – designed to significantly increase the number of diverse and qualified candidates for healthcare employment opportunities across AHN and western Pennsylvania.

The Talent Attraction Program will be offered to trainees in an AHN-sponsored Allied Health program who agree to stay at AHN Jefferson to start their career. Applications for the work-study program are now open to high school students in the Lower Mon Valley and surrounding areas as well as any other interested community members looking to embark on a new career path. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. Application criteria will be based upon financial need.  

Participants accepted into the program will have the opportunity to select among several allied healthcare career interests, ranging from central sterile technician, phlebotomist, and patient care technician, to pharmaceutical technician, medical lab technologist, imaging technologist, and respiratory therapist roles.

“Interested students will have the opportunity to shadow several occupations and tailor their work-study experience to the desired position. From there, AHN hospital leadership will match them with a highly skilled mentor in that designated field to assist them in their training,” said Kaseem Bey, manager of the Talent Attraction Program at AHN Jefferson. “If participants then wish to embark on that specific Allied Health career path, we work in tandem with CCAC, Bidwell Training Center, and other local educators to ensure their applications and enrollment get off the ground.”

Program participants will also be offered part-time or casual employment at the hospital in food services, patient transport, guest services, materials management, or housekeeping as part of the program. In addition to competitive wages, those who work for AHN Jefferson may qualify for full tuition coverage and incentivized financial support based on relevant academic performance.

In September, AHN Jefferson formally announced the grant from Jefferson Regional Foundation that helped to spearhead this critical focus to recruit underrepresented professionals in medicine with a goal to double the diversity of the workforce over the next four years.

“We’re extremely grateful for philanthropic organizations like the Jefferson Regional Foundation that share our commitment to diversifying the healthcare workforce not only in our hospital, but throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Chong Park, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and president of AHN Jefferson. “We’re confident that the success of this program in the years ahead will serve as an exemplary model on how to better attract, retain, and empower a diverse health care workforce which more accurately reflects the community members we serve.”

Although the program’s high school component is geared toward seniors, underclassmen are also encouraged to apply so that they can begin to explore the many Allied Health fields. The program’s formal start date will take place this fall.

Those who want to learn more or apply for the opportunity can contact Kaseem Bey at Kaseem.Bey@AHN.org or call 412-310-5148.

###