Arizona high school graduates complete training program for healthcare career introduction

An Arizona program that trains high school graduates for work as phlebotomists and patient care technicians completed last week and 20 people who passed through the program have the option of continuing their healthcare career pursuits, according to a published report.

In operation since 2004, the program is a merging of efforts between the Pima County One-Stop Career Center, Tucson Medical Center, the Pima County Joint Technical Education District and Tucson Youth Development, The Tuscon Citizen reports. Almost 150 students have completed the program, 90 percent of whom are still pursuing work in heathcare, according to director Arnold Palacios with nonprofit Tuscon Youth Development.

“Without this, this hospital would not be able to serve the people we do,” chief operating officer Linda Wojtowicz with Tuscon Medical Center told the news source. “You have all been exposed to careers you would not have been exposed to otherwise. …  You make a difference in the lives of patients.  They remember your name.  You have an opportunity many people don’t have.”

Palacios said the program has propelled graduates into roles such as registered nurses.

Phlebotomists draw blood for purposes that include transfusions, donations and research, while patient care technicians provide basic care in hospitals and facilities such as nursing homes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.