Building the Future of Healthcare Through Profession-Based Learning: Menorah Medical Center

Profession-based learning provides a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with industry, infusing innovative ideas and energetic young talent into the workforce. This model is especially impactful in fields like healthcare, where hands-on experience can inspire and shape future professionals. Jay Blumhorst, Vice President of Human Resources at HCA Healthcare | Menorah Medical Center in the Kansas City region, has witnessed the benefits of partnering with a local profession-based learning program, Blue Valley CAPS to bring high-quality talent into their organization beginning in high school.

Exploring Healthcare Professions

The partnership has opened doors for students to explore healthcare professions in a real-world setting. Jay Blumhorst emphasizes the importance of this exposure, stating, “It provided talented students with the opportunity to explore and experience healthcare professions, many of which they may not have had exposure to without the program.” This hands-on experience allows students to determine if a career in healthcare is a good fit for them before they graduate from high school and choose their next path.

Menorah Medical Center goes beyond traditional student engagement by providing immersive experiences. “We partner with high-performing staff members and allow them to experience what it’s like to work in a hospital setting,” Blumhorst added. This partnership not only offers students a glimpse into various career pathways but also provides growth opportunities for internal staff. Blumhorst explains, “Our staff and leadership team have benefited from adjusting our culture to focus on providing a robust experience. This provides growth opportunities for our internal staff and reinforces the welcoming, growth-focused culture that we have strived to achieve at Menorah Medical Center. As [students] experience various career pathways and spend time with our leaders and staff, the excitement and engagement level shown by the students is infectious.”

Innovative Workforce Development Strategies

The profession-based learning partnership with Menorah Medical Center is not just about observation; students engage in real work and even become licensed CNAs. Blumhorst praises the caliber of students involved, sharing, “The students we’ve worked with over the past few years are some of the most professional, well-prepared high school students we’ve worked with. That’s no accident.”

This proactive approach to workforce development is crucial in a time when traditional hiring methods are becoming less effective. Blumhorst acknowledges, “Our team is committed to putting in the work now to build the healthcare workforce of tomorrow. We know that the days when you could simply post a job opening and have numerous quality candidates apply are long gone. What’s more, fewer and fewer students are organically finding their way into healthcare careers than in years past. To maintain and even enhance our workforce over the long term, we must connect with students at various levels to open their eyes to the numerous career options that exist in healthcare and demonstrate the success and fulfillment that can be achieved through such a career.”

Building a Pipeline of Future Healthcare Professionals

By providing students with practical experience and exposure to various career paths, the program helps build a pipeline of skilled, passionate professionals ready to enter the workforce. Explore more about investing in the future workforce through profession-based learning and discover how these partnerships are shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.

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