About Workforce
California’s shortage of health care workers, which was already struggling to keep pace with the growing demand for services before the pandemic, has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. Statewide, more than 11 million Californians live in an area without enough primary care providers. These patients often face a health care system lacking enough nurses, physicians, pharmacists, behavioral health professionals, lab scientists, geriatric specialists, and physical therapists to provide the care they need. To care for patients across the state, California needs to add 500,000 new allied health care professionals — such as medical assistants, imaging specialists, and other non-nursing staff — by 2024.
Health care offers Californians solid career paths with upward mobility and economic stability, and each year hospitals invest millions of dollars in training California’s next generation of health care providers. But closing the gaps will require partnerships among all who recognize the need to protect the health of Californians: employers, workers, policymakers, colleges, licensing entities, and others. Regulatory changes are needed to improve efficiency and transparency in licensing, address limitations on scope of practice, and enhance education and training for nurses and nurse assistants.
CHA’s Human Resources Conference to Offer Strategies for Addressing Unconscious Bias
CHA’s Human Resources Conference: Bringing Order to Chaos, March 23-24 in Pasadena, will feature a session on addressing unconscious bias in the workplace, including how it affects patient care and professional relationships. Beginning this year, a single conference replaces CHA’s former employee safety/workers’ compensation seminar and its labor and employment seminar, combining both into a one-and-a-half-day event.
CHA Conference to Offer Human Resources Legal, Practical Insight
Registration is now open for CHA’s members-only Human Resources Conference: Bringing Order to Chaos conference in Pasadena March 23-24, combining CHA’s annual Employee Safety and Workers Compensation seminar and its Labor and Employment seminar.
Proposition 56 Graduate Medical Education Grant Application Cycle Opens
Grant applications for California’s graduate medical education (GME) CalMedForce program are being accepted through Oct. 28. The $40 million in available funding is allocated for primary care and emergency medicine residency programs, with priority given to programs that benefit medically underserved areas and populations.
Applications for $38 Million in Graduate Medical Education Funding Available This Month
Applications for $38 million in grants to expand graduate medical education (GME) in California primary care and emergency medicine residency programs will be available beginning Sept. 23. The funding – which will give priority to programs in medically underserved areas and that serve medically underserved populations – is being awarded through Physicians for a Healthy California’s GME program, CalMedForce.
New Report Examines Increasing Primary Care Capacity
Based on findings from a survey and focus groups of educators, nurses, and employers, a newly released report offers evidence-based recommendations to help educational institutions prepare registered nurses for the future of primary care.
Discount Deadline Approaches for Sept. 12 CHA Workforce and Human Resources Member Forum
Join colleagues Sept. 12 for CHA’s Human Resources & Workforce Development Member Forum in Sacramento. Register before Aug. 15 for the $30 registration discount; after that, registration will increase to $40. The event is open to all CHA member hospital employees who are interested in or responsible for human resources or workforce development.
Governor Signs Bill Expanding Career Pathway for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Earlier this week, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 334 (Chapter 144, Statutes of 2019), which requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to establish a pathway program that allows licensed medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) to apply their MLT work experience and training toward the completion of a clinical lab scientist (CLS) training program.
CHA to Hold Workforce and Human Resources Member Forum on Sept. 12
On Sept. 12, CHA will host a Workforce Development & Human Resources Member Forum in Sacramento. The unique event will provide hospitals the opportunity to gain information and share best practices while helping to shape CHA’s advocacy. Because space is limited, early registration is encouraged.
Next Round of Proposition 56 Graduate Medical Education Funding Available Soon
This week, Physicians for a Healthy California announced it will award approximately $40 million in the second cycle of its CalMedForce Program, which provides funding for graduate medical education (GME) programs in California. Applications will be released Sept. 23 and are due Oct. 28.
House Ways & Means Committee Passes CHA-Supported Opioid Workforce Act of 2019
On June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee passed a measure that would increase graduate medical education slots for academic medical centers with existing pain and addiction training programs. H.R. 3414 — the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 — is supported by CHA as it would benefit numerous academic medical centers throughout the state. It will now move to the full House for consideration.