CATCH: Providing health care career training opportunities

05/10/2013

Applications are now being accepted for summer and fall sessions of CATCH, Creating Access To Careers in Healthcare, an all-expense paid program training low-income adults in Snohomish County to fill critical jobs in the health care industry.

Cohorts (groups of students who start and progress through a program together) of 20 students begin in July, September, November, January and February each year, and alternate between Edmonds CC and Everett CC campuses. Space in both college CATCH programs is limited.

“I have gained more confidence and feel really good about being able to accomplish my goals,” said a recent graduate of the program. “CATCH has given me a better outlook for my future and my family’s future.”

Added another graduate: “I’m doing all I can to gain skills so that my family will never be homeless again. The CATCH program was my bridge from a dark place to a hopeful one where I’m no longer afraid.”

The CATCH Program provides foundational training for certificate programs in select health care professions at Edmonds College and Everett Community College: Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, EKG and Cardiographic Technician, Monitor Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and Medical Spanish Interpreter (depending on college course and externship availability).

Both college CATCH programs offer these in-demand, work-ready certificates of completion while students complete additional coursework to meet prerequisite and core course requirements for advanced certificates. These include: Patient Care Technician and Clinical Laboratory Assistant at Edmonds CC and Medical Assistant at Everett CC.

Students are given computer literacy skills with a laptop and one year of Internet access. Those who successfully complete the program are given the laptop. Educational advising, college success, career counseling, and in-depth job skills are also provided.

The program is supported by a five-year Health Profession Opportunity grant from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to Edmonds and Everett community colleges, partners in the CATCH program include Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County; Snohomish County Refugee and Immigrant Forum; Housing Hope; Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board; Department of Social and Health Services; Washington State Employment Security Department; TRAC Associates; Business Access, a company that specializes in building in-home learning communities; and regional health care employers such as Swedish Edmonds Medical Center, Providence Regional Medical Center and Warm Beach Senior Community.

CATCH is a part of a national research study that helps colleges learn how programs like CATCH help people succeed in training and finding good jobs. All individuals who are eligible for CATCH and agree to participate in the study will be part of a lottery to randomly select CATCH participants.