With healthcare reform providing more access to care for our patients, we’ll need even more nurses and healthcare workers to meet the demand for care. More than 20% of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members have used one of the Multi-Employer Training Fund’s benefits since the fund started in 2009, including tuition assistance, continuing education reimbursement, career counseling, or a college readiness program to help advance their careers in the healthcare field.
The Multi-Employer Fund hired new Executive Director Mary Rosenthal to oversee the development of the fund and work with participating hospital employers Swedish Medical Center, Highline Medical Center, Valley Medical Center, Northwest Hospital, and Group Health Cooperative, the newest employer to join the fund.
Group Health’s contribution, like other participating employers, will be used for tuition assistance, counseling, college readiness, and tutoring for healthcare workers to advance their careers into healthcare. Group Health members should visit www.healthcareerfund.org
In 2011:
- 402 members used the tuition assistance benefit
- 330 members took college readiness, ESL or basic computer skills classes
- 37 SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members graduated from degree or certificate programs
- 144 RNs used the Training Fund’s specialty nurse exam fee reimbursement benefit
“I work in admitting at Northwest Hospital, and I’m using our union’s training fund to become a nurse. We’ll see an influx of patients coming through our doors through healthcare reform. Our training fund means we can be there for our patients, and advance our own careers.”
Melinda Hannafious, Admitting, Northwest Hospital
“I’m using our union’s training fund to become a Medical Lab Technician. I’m taking a chemistry class next quarter to help me become a Lab Tech, and that’s good for my family and the hospital. I am thankful to have this assistance with my education.”
Claudia Salas, Lab Assistant, Northwest Hospital
