The Lehigh Valley Hispanic Center located at 520 E 4th St. As a part of the St. Luke’s University Health Network, the center focusing on using diversity as a foundation for economic vibrancy in the community.
St. Luke’s University Health Network, in conjunction with the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, launched Cultural & Linguistic Workforce Development Centers this fall to help nurture a generation of bilingual, highly skilled health care workers.
Bilingual coordinators at the centers work with participants to identify career goals and barriers to employment and develop plans to complete English and/or GED classes through community partner organizations. Participants also can take advantage of specialized training for health care positions.
“This program is important to St. Luke’s because it will develop a pipeline of qualified, bilingual health care workers,” said Dr. Rajika Reed, Vice President of St. Luke’s Community Health. “These efforts will also market the region to diverse, motivated individuals looking to relocate as they know there are established trainings and employment opportunities.”
The centers will operate at Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley in South Side Bethlehem and SLUHN’s Sacred Heart Campus in Center City Allentown. Services are offered in collaboration with Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and The Literacy Center.
The program is funded by a $450,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development and participants must meet Community Development Block Grant eligibility requirements.
Participants also can enroll in programs at multiple sites in Bethlehem and Allentown to become phlebotomists, nurse’s aides, dental assistants, emergency medical technicians, community health workers, EKG technicians and pharmacy technicians.
“The Workforce Development Centers are providing the Lehigh Valley community the opportunity to train for high-priority skilled occupations in health care while learning employability skills and developing a career ladder for professional growth,” said Victoria Montero, executive director of the Hispanic Center.
The programs run between 12 and 20 weeks, which allows participants to become qualified quickly for these critical health care positions.
The innovative program is just one example of how hospitals and health care systems are partnering with educators and community groups to help grow the next generation of health care professionals. The need is particularly acute in Pennsylvania, where many health care workers are nearing retirement age but the demand for care is increasing.