MDNews - Dallas/Fort Worth

+++++++++++ + + +++++++++++ NEWS +++ +++ Continued from Page 11 Imagine the center as a personal con- cierge that assists students individually through their journeys in selecting and completing a health career path in the DCCCD and ultimately securing a job. Incoming students who are interested in a health career, yet undecided about a specifi c profession, fi rst complete a skills inventory questionnaire to identify their interests, strengths and weaknesses relat- ing to various skills throughout the fi eld. HCRC advisers then assess their responses on the questionnaire and align them with specifi c career areas that best match their results. Ser vices range f rom pro v id ing a clearinghouse of information and resources about the 20 certifi ed health career programs in the DCCCD to iden- tifying the best matches with students' interests through advisement and helping employers connect with graduates, or vice versa. "When it comes to health profession- als, most students think of nurses and doctors," says W. Stephen Love, President and CEO of the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council and member of the foundation's health professions initiative committee. "DCCCD does offer pro- grams and courses to channel students to those careers, but they don't know that there are many other options out there. The new center will expand their understanding of all choices available in becoming a viable health professional in the Dallas-Fort Worth marketplace." "There are many students who, for instance, may not be prepared to enroll in our nursing programs, which set several strict academic require- ments for students to be accepted," Dr. Molly Boyd, HCRC director, says. "Many of them possess cer- tain skills beyond academics that would match them with our other health occupations programs in either the credit or continuing education route. They can also come to us to get the basic skills they need to get into our more academically rigorous programs." The center will also assist professionals already employed in the health care industry to gain information on courses that further advance their skills or seek other career options in the fi eld. Employees at area hospitals and clinics typically return to DCCCD to take refresher courses or gain skills for differ- ent career paths in health care. Officials of DCCCD's health career programs see the center as a much- needed resource that was a long time coming for students and the north Texas health care industry. "Before the center's creation, students were advised about what programs existed at one [DCCCD] college, but were unaware of the range and depth of what was offered throughout the dis- trict," Boyd says. "The center will assist students in making informed choices on health careers." "The strongest advantage of the HCRC will be our partnership with health care employers, and the recruitment assistance specific to the industry," Montgomery says. "We are fortunate that our leadership in DCCCD, its foundation and the local hospital community had the vision to create this unique center to serve students and employers in our area." Visit the Health Careers Resource Center website, www.dcccd.edu/HCRC, or call (214) 860-2283 for more information about student services or employer partnerships. The DCCCD Foundation is offering naming opportunities for the new center, which will benefit thousands of future professionals in north Texas. Call Betheny L. Reid, associate vice chancellor of DCCCD development and President of the DCCCD Foundation, at (214) 378-1531 to see how you can establish a naming gift. You can also support the Health Careers Resource Center or scholarships for health career students at DCCCD by mailing your contribution to DCCCD Foundation, 1601 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215-1816, or by donating online at www.foundation. dcccd.edu. n ADVERTISERS' INDEX Keurig ............................ Inside Front Cover Kindred Healthcare ... Inside Back Cover Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital ........ 11 Structures & Interiors .............................. 14 Texas Department of State Health Services ........Back Cover Time Warner Cable Business Class .......5 14 | Dallas/Fort Worth MD NEWS MDNEWS.COM

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