Anjelica Parker has wanted to work at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital for over a decade. When her eldest son, Donovan Coleman, now 16 years old, was born, he was regularly taken to Le Bonheur because he had severe allergies and asthma.
Parker’s love for children and the care doctors, nurses and other staff showed to her as well as her son convinced Parker that it was the place she wanted.
“They were great. They were really sweet. As you know, I felt welcome every time we came,” she said. “It was a warm environment every time. It wasn’t like we were in a hospital.”
However, each job application submitted by Parker was rejected. Her hospital told her to continue applying for her practice, but her position had already continued to go to people within the Methodist system. Then she asked about the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s local employment program. This program trains residents of the Medical District for work at regional anchor institutions such as Le Bonur.
Parker rented his mother’s car, crossed the bridge to Arkansas, arrived at the first available drug test appointment she found, and immediately hired a local. Currently she has been working as a housekeeper for 15 months at Le Bonheur, largely due to the MMDC program.
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New talent pipeline
Parker is one of 85 graduates of local employment, 65% of whom have been employed by medical district employers, said Latasha Harris, who oversees the local employment program. The MMDC hopes to train another 70 people through this year’s program. To be eligible for the program, you must be at least 18 years old and qualified to work in the United States.
Applicants from the postal codes 38103, 38107, 38104, 38105, 38112, 38126, 38106, and 38114 take precedence.
The free program was launched in 2018 as a one-on-one job coaching program, but expanded to a multi-person class model in 2020 as employee needs continued to grow in the district.
And the classes are coordinated to train people for the jobs most needed by the anchor agencies in the medical district.
“We start by going through a needs assessment process with our employer and understanding what the needs are if there are gaps in the skills we need to deal with. That’s what they told us. Is based on, “Harris said.
Hire local is currently providing training for hospital food service workers, housekeepers and certified nursing assistants, and is launching a pilot program for high school students. Its program, Career Launch Academy, offers free training for high school graduates to become certified nursing assistants and begin their health care careers.
In addition to work-specific instruction, anyone who experiences local recruitment, from job interview tips and resume writing to the role of emotional intelligence in communication skills, teamwork and customer service. , You can teach various skills.
Everyone who graduates from the program is guaranteed an interview with one of MMDC’s partner institutions. Hiring locals also helps graduates get new jobs at the cost of buying uniforms and follows them throughout the first year of work to help them navigate the problem.
“We believe that we are helping people realize their dreams. We want to connect them to the careers they love and the lives they want,” Harris said. ..
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While the program benefits those who experience it, Harris said it also benefits employers. They don’t cost anything, and the program allows for an expanded talent pipeline essentially without effort from the institution.
“They have filled 1,300 new jobs this year alone and filled 2,600 new jobs by the end of 2023,” Harris said of the medical district’s partner organization. “So there is a tremendous opportunity to train people. This year, the hospital will adopt 230 CNA roles, so there is a great opportunity to help them find talent.”
Sarah Colley, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, said MMDC is making a big difference in both the Methodist system and the Medical District.
“When we hire people who live in or near the Medical District, we invest in the community. When they become part of our team, we grow and develop into new team members through the Methodist Associate Advancement Program. We believe that hiring local talent will increase retention and improve the services we provide to the community. It’s a win / win. ”
This program helps training partners, such as Southwest Tennessee Community College, learn what skills employers really want in the community and improve their education offerings.
“We can really be a liaison between connectors, trainers and employers and make some adjustments to do a better job of training people for the work that is actually there.” Harris said.
Lifestyle changes
For Parker, getting a job at Le Bonheur wasn’t just about working for her beloved organization. All jobs hire interviews with local candidates, with a starting salary of at least $ 15 per hour and career advancement opportunities.
Moving to Le Bonheur meant that Parker’s salary would be double the salary he worked for in Checkers. She now also has life insurance and severance pay through her work, and she and her three boys have health, dental and visual insurance that were previously unavailable.
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“Come to Le Bonheur, it was a big lifestyle change. I could do more with them. I could go out for more dinner. We know you You can, relax a little, “Parker said.
All three Parker boys (Coleman, Christopher Warmsley III, 11, Kaidin Parker, 8 years old) have stated that their mothers have been happy and stress-free since they got a job at Le Bonheur. They also said that they could do more fun as a family, whether it was a supper or a shopping trip.
She was able to buy new school shoes and clothes for the boys and her own car. They could afford to gather their families for dinner on weekday nights at places like Applebee’s and Chuck E. Cheese, as well as special occasions.
“Sometimes it’s still amazing because I can do this or buy a nice one and don’t have to get it from a second hand store, so it’s a huge life-changing It’s an experience, “says Parker.
Corinne S Kennedy covers the economic development and health care of The Commercial Appeal.She can contact Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com by email
