The 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund serves over 55,000 healthcare workers each year by providing a variety of education and job training programs to 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers across NYS (all major cities), as well as MD/DC, MA, NJ, and FL.
A change in NYS Public Health Law 2824 requires that Central Sterile Processing Technicians (CCSPT) pass an internationally accredited central service exam and complete ten hours of continuing education credit annually. In response to this change, Northwell Health, a nonprofit healthcare network and New York State’s largest healthcare provider, launched a CCSPT apprenticeship program so that employees in various entry-level positions would have the opportunity to become certified in an in-demand occupation and earn wage increases. The apprenticeship program was funded via the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund and WDI.
The CCSPT apprenticeship program uses the services of peer mentors who provide support to the apprentices during the on-the-job training portion of the apprenticeship. This component of the program is an important one, but requires that experienced Technicians be willing to invest the time in mentoring. WDI supported an incentive for peer mentor participation as part of the program.
At the conclusion of the first CCSPT apprenticeship run, 11 participants successfully completed their apprenticeship requirements and passed the internationally accredited certification exam necessary to become a Certified Central Sterile Processing Technician. The 100% pass rate on the exam was truly impressive since the national pass rate is 60%, and is evidence of the quality of the training and mentorship support that apprentices received.
1199SEIU Training Fund Management noted that “The skill levels of the employees were significantly enhanced by the training and mentorship provided during the 400 hours of training for Central Sterile Processing Technicians. The WDI grant was fundamental in providing support and competency-based education. The one-on-one support and encouragement from mentors gave apprentices the confidence to succeed in their new roles.”
All 11 apprentices who successfully completed the program were able to continue working for Northwell Health as Certified Central Sterile Processing Technicians, and received higher wages once they became journeyworkers.
