R.H.O.R.C. - LA’s staff possesses extensive expertise in customizing curriculum design and delivery of training services based on the results of needs analysis. Traditionally, health care agencies provided their own staff development programs. However, this often times proves costly and inefficient. Much of the training within the health care industry is required by legislation. Many health care businesses are shifting to contracting out this training, assuring quality at a decreased cost.
Recognizing the critical need for new approaches, the California Community College systems had developed eight Regional Health Occupations Resource Centers (R.H.O.R.C.s) throughout the state to coordinate and develop educational programs and specialty training for the health care industry. The R.H.O.R.C. at Mt. San Antonio College works with our local, county and state governments to develop creative ways to meet our ever increasing health care needs.
- Working With the health care industry to assess and meet current and future employment/training needs
- Developing health occupations model and customized curricula to meet industry training needs
- Improving student access to and success in health occupations programs
- Facilitating partnerships between the health care industry and community college to leverage resources
- Providing job analysis for industry and education through the DACUM process
- Serving as testing sites for certification and competency testing for health professional
- Providing in-service education and staff development programs for health care providers, educators, counselors, and the industry
- Assisting students and the health care industry by sharing the latest trends and information via the internet, electronic bulletin board service, and workshops
History:Health Care, one the fastest growing industries in California, faces unprecedented workforce preparation and development challenges. To meet these challenges, the Chancellor’s office of the California Community Colleges has provided funding for eight state-wide Regional Health Occupations Resources Centers effective February 1998. Mt. San Antonio College proudly sponsors the R.H.O.R.C. serving Los Angeles county
California’s healthcare industry employs a major portion of the workforce. Due to rapid changes and technological influences, a continuous need exists for workforce preparation, on-going-training, and skills upgrading for both current employees, as well as new entrants.
Affiliation:The Regional Health Occupations Resource Center are affiliated with the California Community College Economic Development Network (Ed>Net). Established in 1988, Ed>Net’s overall purpose is to advance California’s economic growth and global competitiveness through quality education and services focusing on continued workforce improvement, technology deployment and business development. Ed>Net brings the resources of California’s 106 community colleges together to best serve California business and industry.You Can Do It!
All statewide RHORCs are actively helping with the coordination of new and expanded nursing programs. The following activities of the Los Angeles County RHORC (LA RHORC) are representative of the many creative programs being developed to reduce California's Nursing shortage.
The LA RHORC helped increase the capacity in L.A. County Community Colleges' ADN programs. Through a two-year IDRC Grant written and coordinated by the RHORC, Los Angeles City College (LACC) opened a new ADN program that has received BRN accreditation. LACC admitted the first class of 36 students in the fall of 2002. Matching funds from Kaiser Permanente Queen of Angels - Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and Childrens Hospital Los Angels, supported this project.
Another IDRC Grant was written and coordinated by the LA RHORC for Glendale Community College. A program has been implemented with four LA Community Colleges and California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) to create a seamless ADN-BSN program. Glendale, Rio Hondo, Los Angeles Trade Tech and Mt. San Antonio College have expanded their first year nursing programs by twelve students each. At the end of the first year, these students will transition to CSULA as Juniors in the BSN program and in three years they will graduate with their BSN degrees.
These two projects will increase the number of nursing program graduates in LA County by up to 84 nurses per year. Additionally, the RHORC has written a HRSA Grant requesting funding for a partnership with Citrus Valley Health Partners. An additional 24 students will graduate from ADN programs on a yearly basis if this grant is also approved.
RHORC LA is partnering with the Welcome Back program to implement a NCLEX preparation program for Board Eligible Nurses. These are nurses who have taken the NCLEX State Board Exam and failed. The first class has completed the State Board Exam and 14 out of 15 nurses passed the Board.