A Potential Solution to Healthcare Worker Shortages: High School Vocational Programs
High schools across the nation are taking proactive steps to address the chronic shortage of healthcare workers. By implementing vocational programs as early as the ninth grade, these schools aim to cultivate a new generation of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, lab technicians, and nurses.
One notable example is the partnership between Memorial Hermann Health System and Aldine Independent School District in Houston. Their newly launched Health Education and Leadership High School is one of four such programs nationwide, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Students in these programs specialize in various healthcare disciplines, such as nursing, physical therapy, medical imaging, pharmacy, or healthcare administration. They gain hands-on experience through volunteering and part-time jobs at the health system while earning credits towards certifications.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has allocated $250 million to support ten such programs across the country over the next two years. The organization aims to increase opportunities for students who may not pursue a four-year college degree while simultaneously addressing the talent shortage faced by local hospitals.
Other healthcare organizations are also investing in high school students. Walgreens recently announced an initiative to address pharmacist shortages, which includes educating high schoolers about pharmacy careers. Additionally, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has received a federal grant to introduce ninth-grade students to data science and medical technologies.
While technical education programs focused on healthcare have existed since the 1950s, their popularity and investment have fluctuated based on workforce shortages. As the U.S. faces a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, including nurses, addiction counselors, physicians, and pharmacists, these vocational programs offer a promising solution.
However, it's important to note that while preparing adolescents for healthcare careers is valuable, it alone cannot fully address the nation's healthcare staffing challenges. Other strategies, such as increasing visas for medical workers from abroad and providing incentives for healthcare professionals to work in underserved areas, are also crucial.