The Rise of ‘Extern-to-Hire’: How ACT is Pioneering a Fresh Healthcare Workforce Model
The healthcare industry is grappling with a persistent and growing workforce shortage. Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) is addressing this challenge head-on with an innovative approach: the “extern-to-hire” workforce pipeline. This model, now spanning over 1,000 healthcare partners nationwide, is gaining traction as a solution for both training individuals and filling critical roles.
Bridging the Skills Gap with Hands-On Experience
Traditional healthcare training often leaves graduates lacking practical experience. ACT’s program combines accelerated online coursework with real-world clinical externships. Students enrolled in programs like the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) gain hands-on experience in areas such as patient intake, vital signs assessment, clinical documentation, phlebotomy, and infection control. This immersive approach prepares them for immediate contribution in a clinical setting.
How the ‘Extern-to-Hire’ Model Benefits Employers
The extern-to-hire model isn’t just beneficial for students; it’s a game-changer for healthcare providers. Instead of relying solely on traditional recruitment methods, clinics and hospitals can now evaluate potential employees *while* they’re completing their externships. This offers several advantages:
- Reduced Recruitment Costs: The externship serves as an extended interview process, minimizing the risk of costly hiring mistakes.
- Faster Time-to-Hire: Qualified candidates are already familiar with the facility’s workflows and culture, shortening the onboarding process.
- Reliable Workforce Pipelines: Consistent participation in the externship network builds a steady stream of pre-trained, evaluated candidates.
Healthcare partners, including Concentra, Kaiser Permanente facilities, and CVS Health locations, are increasingly valuing this approach. They can observe students performing clinical duties before making employment offers, ensuring a better fit and reducing onboarding time.
Beyond Medical Assistants: Expanding into Phlebotomy and Diagnostics
ACT isn’t limiting its impact to medical assistants. The organization is expanding clinical training opportunities into phlebotomy and diagnostic services. This expansion addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. This strategic move broadens the scope of ACT’s workforce solutions and caters to a wider range of healthcare needs.
Industry Recognition and Impressive Certification Rates
ACT’s commitment to quality is reflected in its program recognitions and student success rates. The curriculum has received recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) for potential college-level credit equivalency and aligns with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in multiple states. Perhaps most impressively, ACT boasts a 97% pass rate on the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam – significantly higher than the national average of 74%.
This high pass rate is a testament to ACT’s structured online coursework, interactive simulation-based training, and focused certification exam preparation.
The Safar Global Foundation: A Commitment to Empowerment
The founders of ACT, Shay and Shabnam Safarzadeh, demonstrate a broader commitment to empowerment through The Safar Global Foundation. This foundation focuses on empowering girls worldwide through education, style, and purpose, showcasing a dedication to social impact beyond healthcare workforce development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a clinical externship?
A: A clinical externship is a supervised practical training experience in a real healthcare setting, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge and develop essential skills.
Q: What types of healthcare facilities partner with ACT?
A: ACT partners with a diverse range of facilities, including urgent care clinics, physician practices, outpatient healthcare systems, and national providers like Concentra and Kaiser Permanente.
Q: What is the CCMA certification?
A: The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification validates a medical assistant’s knowledge and skills in clinical and administrative tasks.
Ready to explore career opportunities in healthcare? Visit the Advanced eClinical Training website to learn more about their programs and clinical partner network.
