Newswise — Baltimore, MD – LifeBridge Health, one of the largest and most comprehensive health care providers in Maryland, has been selected by CareerSTAT as a 2014 “Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion.” Only nine employers in the United States were recognized with this honor.

CareerSTAT, an initiative of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and Jobs for the Future, defines Frontline Champions as companies that make skill and career development accessible to their employees on a large scale through on-site training, coaching, tracking outcomes and demonstrating long-term commitments to continue their programs.

LifeBridge Health was singled out for its workforce development initiative, which was launched in 2007 and includes the School at Work® program, a pre-allied health bridge course, job training and life skills coaching.

Life skills coaching at LifeBridge Health focuses on education and career instruction, counseling, financial literacy and time management. When needed, referrals for transportation, housing, child care and utility assistance are also available.

“This is a national acknowledgement of the support we give to our employees as an organization,” says Anita Hammond, manager for LifeBridge Health Workforce Development. “We value the development of all contributors to the LifeBridge Health system, and we believe that everyone has the capacity to do his or her best and be a leader.”

In 2014 alone, 370 employees participated in a LifeBridge Health workforce development program; 208 employees enrolled in the system’s onsite academic readiness programs with 185 receiving certificates of completion; 162 employees participated in career coaching; 62 employees sought college resources; and 41 enrolled in a college program.

CareerSTAT is a national collaboration of healthcare leaders that promotes employer investment in the development of workers whose jobs require less than an associate degree. These positions include patient intake coordinators, medical assistants, certified nursing assistants and dietary service staff members among others.

This is the first year that CareerSTAT has offered the champion designation, the organization’s highest honor.

LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hosptial, Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and related subsidiaries and affiliates. For more information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org

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