RHEC Receives National Recognition

The Regional Health Education Center, a partnership between North Iowa Area Community College and Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, received a national award from the National Association of State Directors of Vocational Technical Education Consortium. The award recognizes the Center’s contributions to business, industry, and other organizations for vocational education. The award was presented during the consortium’s national conference in Washington, D.C. on May 1.

The partnership has been a means for the hospital and college to provide the following vocational programs and services: 1) a tech prep curriculum for high school health occupations teachers; 2) job shadowing opportunities each year for 120 tech prep students; 3) short-term career training (certificate) programs to meet initial employment requirements, such as nurse aide, medication aide, etc., 4) clinical learning experiences for numerous health professional enrolled in colleges and universities from Iowa and other states; and 5) numerous continuing education opportunities for health car professionals to retain their professional license. In addition to offering programs, RHEC provides leadership for collaboration on new initiatives to various local and state groups.

The partnership is a model for how hospitals and colleges can work together to provide various services health career opportunities for both health occupation students and health care professionals. RHEC students can participate in various courses/programs by Internet, intranet, videoconferencing, computer based options, and self-study modules as well as lecture/lab offerings.