Catalyst Learning Company - Provider of School at Work®

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Catalyst Learning Company

Catalyst Learning Company (CLC) is a leader in healthcare workforce development with over 500 hospital customers in 46 states. Nationally known for its School at Work® program for improving upward mobility for the entry-level, CLC also offers tools for mid-level employees, with an emphasis on strengthening supervisory, allied health and nursing pipelines. In addition to School at Work®, Expanding Your Career in Healthcare Opportunities® (ECHO); and CareerCare® provide a systematic approach to healthcare career development.

Click here to learn more.

Close Move

Healthcare reform. Revenue impacted by patient satisfaction. An aging workforce. These mission critical issues create a complicated environment for hospitals, yet also provide a unique opportunity for adaptable organizations to emerge as industry champions. At Catalyst Learning, the challenges are a call to action: move forcefully to help hospitals develop a more patient-centered workforce and succession planning strategy. The solution: ECHO 2.0, a forward-thinking tool that taps into the potential of mid-level employees and puts them on a nursing, clinical or management pathway.

“Significant gaps in workforce pipelines impact an organization’s competitive edge. This compelled us to think about the amazing potential in this group of employees at the mid-level. Their skills and work ethic are strong; they are poised to do what the hospital needs but need a career plan and more education to do it,” says Lynn Fischer, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Learning.

The release of ECHO 2.0 brings the same high quality curriculum and career planning tools that hospitals have experienced with School at Work® to another key, but often-overlooked employee group. ECHO students have titles like Patient Care Tech; Administrative Assistant; Health Information Tech; Supervisor and Team Lead. These employees read at a near-college level and are computer savvy. ECHO’s critical-thinking modules hone their ability to grasp advanced concepts and achieve academic success; students become more adept at problem identification and develop a stronger foundation for decision making. Modules on patient safety and satisfaction prepare them for a clinical role by making them well versed in HCAHPS Standards and Joint Commission Patient Safety Goals.

This curriculum is delivered using CLC’s proven blended learning delivery model. ECHO 2.0 applies accelerated learning design principals to maximize knowledge retention; strategically-placed activities engage multiple senses and create an active learning environment. ECHO is designed for the adult learner, so activities capitalize on their experience and existing knowledge to build the confidence needed for success.

“ECHO provides an increased ability to contribute within the workgroup and a better sense of confidence about going back to school As these students gain skills and credentials, the hospital is poised for future success and growth by building a pipeline of engaged employees in management, clinical and nursing areas,” says Fischer.

Click here to preview the ECHO curriculum and learn how this upgraded career development system will strengthen your organization. To learn more, please contact a CLC representative.

Healthcare
Organizations
Career
Ladders
Choosing the
Right Product
Workforce
Development Organizations
Customer
Testimonials

Healthcare Organizations

CLC is an integral workforce development partner to healthcare organizations committed to funneling existing talent into high-demand career pathways.   CLC works closely with the most progressive healthcare organizations in the country to:

•   Build a pipeline of employees who are prepared to move up within the organization
•   Prepare employees for entrance to local community colleges
•   Increase employee engagement
•   Insure tuition reimbursement expenditures
•   Improve diversity among clinical and management staff
•   Boost patient and nurse satisfaction
•   Increase employee retention

"Many of our School at Work graduates were CNAs who have since earned their LVN degree… SAW is a positive experience that elevates Associates' dedication to CHRISTUS St. Michael while increasing their understanding of the individual part they can play in the delivery of excellent patient care."

Chris Karam, CEO
CHRISTUS St. Michael

Career Ladders

Career ladder programs help transform every job in a health care facility – including entry-level positions-- into a potential “first step” to a professional healthcare career. Successful career ladder programs result in increased employee versatility, engagement and can have an indirect impact on patient care.

CLC embraces the career ladder concept as a model for extending career pathway access to employees at every level. The Company works with over 480 hospitals to help them cultivate a skilled workforce using existing talent. Our products introduce employees to the world of healthcare career opportunities available and specifically link their goals to the employer’s workforce needs. As employees learn about high-demand ladders within their hospital, they use CLC’s Career and Learning Plan to create a customized map for advancement.

Choosing the Right Product

CLC’s principal products are School at Work®, ECHO® and CareerCare®. Each product was developed to address the unique needs of entry and mid-level employees who desire to move ahead in the organization. Explore the best fit for your organization by requesting more information or calling us at 502-584-7337.

Click here to learn which Catalyst Learning tool is a fit for your organization.

CLC Helps Workforce Development Organizations

Stimulate Economic Growth

SAW moves Americans of limited economic status towards middle class wages
As SAW graduates move up in the organization, entry-level positions open for others
Creates pathways out of poverty

Support WIA Retention and Earning Increase Goals

Employees more likely to stay with employers who provide development opportunities
SAW coursework prepares employees for entry into local certificate/degree programs, where higher wages are available to those moving into clinical and technical positions

Strengthen Connections to Business

Initiates or expands working relationships with key employers
Builds likelihood of employers’ ongoing investment in entry-level staff

Leverage other WIB Investments

History of sustainability with hospitals assume ongoing cost of employee development
Lower-cost remediation than traditional methods. Education facilitation and career planning done by hospital staff; in concert with WIB and local colleges
Serves as a preparatory class for LPN-RN programs; a follow-up class for Nurse Aides or newly employed

“Due to the ever increasing demand for skilled healthcare workers, it makes good economic sense to invest in your own people. SAW provides a great service to our community by providing hospitals with a tool to funnel existing talent through the pipeline. This is a win for the employer, the employee, and ARC as we move incumbent workers upward and open entry-level jobs to new workers to join the workforce.”

Mary Margaret Garrett
Chief, Workforce Development Division, Atlanta Regional Commission

Below are testimonials from a few of our customers

(Click each video thumbnail to view)

Beth Mehaffey, Vice President of Human Resources Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL
James Brookhart, Vice President of Human Resources St. John’s Health System, Springfield, MO
Val Richardson, Workforce Development Director Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC