Dallas College has earned recognition from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for three additional Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs): Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist, Sterile Processing Technician and Health Care Supply Chain Professional.
The American National Standards Institute’s stamp of approval recognizes Dallas College’s IRAPs as offering high-quality, work-based learning opportunities to close skill gaps among the underserved and those in job transition with a quick, quality pathway to a career. IRAPs also provide health care organizations with more effective training for current workers, increased productivity and curated recruitment of new talent. Health systems, hospitals and outpatient centers can achieve improved employee engagement and retention as well as better organizational and patient outcomes.
“These IRAPs are a significant contribution to our regional and national talent supply chain in health care, meeting the demands of the job market while ensuring apprentices are fully skilled and competent in these occupations,” said Dr. Pyeper Wilkins, vice chancellor for workforce and advancement at Dallas College.
All three earn-and-learn programs combine rigorous on-the-job training with technical and classroom study for both entry-level training and upskilling or reskilling for the current workforce.
The MRI Technologist IRAP prepares apprentices to operate MRI scanners and create diagnostic images at health care facilities that include hospitals, clinics, imaging centers and other locations. This apprenticeship culminates in an industry-recognized American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) credential, launching a viable career in magnetic resonance imaging.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects approximately 20,800 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists each year over the next decade. Median annual wages for MRI technologists are $77,360.
The Sterile Processing Technician IRAP responds to the nation’s increased need for sterile processing technicians (also referred to as central service technicians or medical equipment preparers), who play a critical role in preventing infection by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing and distributing medical supplies. Apprentices train at hospitals and clinics, and prepare to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam.
With advancements in medical technology and increased surgeries, there is a high demand for sterile processing technicians. According to the BLS, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area is one of the larger employers, with a local annual mean wage of $42,190.
The Health Care Supply Chain Professional IRAP prepares participants for work in a high-impact occupation tackling global supply chain issues in health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care organizations. This IRAP responds to the nation’s increased need to manage the flow of goods and services. Successful apprentices earn certified planning and inventory management (CPIM) and certified supply chain professional (CSCP) credentials. Due to enormous demand, credentialed workers in this field can quickly move up from entry-level to senior positions.
Training is key as supply chains become increasingly global and complex, and continue to be disrupted and transformed by technology. According to the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the global supply chain management market is expected to grow 11.2% from 2020 to 2027.
In addition to Dallas College’s IRAPs in Health Care Culinary Services (announced in 2021), MRI Technologist, Sterile Processing Technician and Health Care Supply Chain Professional, three other IRAPs should be recognized by the end of 2022 in medical assistant, medical billing and coding and health care facilities management. Among other criteria, these high-quality IRAPs provide students with paid work, a written training plan and apprenticeship agreement, specialized knowledge and experience, credit for prior knowledge and skills, mentorship, industry-recognized credentials and more.
IRAPs are developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies grant program, and in partnership with Bufflehead Strategies, LLC; Workcred, LLC; and the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA). The MRI Technologist IRAP was developed in partnership with the Tesla Institute of MRI Technology and ARMRIT. The Sterile Processing Technician IRAP was developed in partnership with the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). The Health Care Supply Chain Professional IRAP was developed in partnership with ASCM. The intent is to scale IRAPs across the country to health systems and outpatient facilities.
For more information about IRAPs, interested students and employers may contact Amy Mackenroth (amy.mackenroth@dallascollege.edu).
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up