Accretive Health, Inc. (NYSE: AH) is working with the City of Chicago to provide a solution to job creation. In 2010, the company’s Chicago Shared Services Center (CSSC) developed an education program as part of the Chicago Career Tech (CCT) program, now known as Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF). The development of the training program leveraged public/private partnerships and created a new breed of highly-skilled Chicago professionals who utilize technology as a platform for new career opportunities.
“Accretive Health has made an unmatched investment in training local talent, particularly unemployed job seekers,” said Marie Trzupek Lynch, president and chief executive officer of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future. “Our deep partnership has created career opportunities for many unemployed professionals new to the healthcare industry while meeting Accretive’s hiring needs.”
Leading the program at Accretive Health is Alicia Coughlin, CSSC corporate director. Coughlin is proud to share that the 960 contact hours earned during Accretive Health’s unique training program far exceed that of a typical associate’s degree. In 2012, of the approximate 225 CCT/SFC participants trained, 85 percent graduated with their Accretive Health medical reimbursement certificate. The other 25 percent sat for the American Health Information Management Association Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and of the 25, seven have sat for their Certified Coding Specialist credential and passed.
Frances Hernandez of Chicago is a graduate of the training program, and a full-time employee at the Accretive Health CSSC. “I was so prepared by my coursework and hands-on training, that when I completed the training in June 2012, I was flown out to immediately to assist an Accretive Health hospital client with coding,” she said. “I loved it!”
The program is so successful in job creation that Coughlin was recently invited to join a discussion with federal government representatives at the White House. “Our program is giving a high quality experience to employees that translates to high quality results to our clients,” she stated.
Accretive Health has already trained and hired more than 25 CCT/SFC participants who have graduated from the program and received their CCA credentials; another seven participants graduated, May 31, 2013, and will be sitting for their CCA. In response to the growing need for medical coders, Accretive Health has added an intense coding track to its course schedule.
“A number of local corporate executives who were looking to make a career transition have been able to take advantage of our program,” said Richard Gillette, senior vice president of operational excellence at Accretive Health. “We’re happy to be part of the solution for career growth in the area.”
About Accretive Health
At Accretive Health, our mission is to help our healthcare clients strengthen their financial stability and deliver better care at a more affordable cost to the communities they serve, increasing healthcare access for all. For more information, visit www.accretivehealth.com.
About Skills for Chicagoland’s Future
Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (SCF) is a signature initiative of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board of Commissioners president Toni Preckwinkle that is designed to close the workforce skills gap, drive business growth and get unemployed Cook County residents back to work. SCF partners with local employers to identify their available hiring needs and matches them with qualified unemployed job seekers in Cook County. SCF also accesses and coordinates government funding for customized training, so candidates have the skills necessary to deliver results from their first day on the job. To learn more, go to www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com.
