Pipeline Activities - Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center

Building the pipeline for tomorrow’s healthcare professionals

Grow Our Own: A Strategy to Increase the Healthcare Workforce in Montana

The healthcare workforce in Montana is experiencing shortages and significant maldistribution of professionals throughout the state. As healthcare needs grow at a rapid pace, the workforce required to address that need may not be available, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Montana Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), along with the Office of Public Instruction, the Office of the Commission of Higher Education, and numerous other collaborative partners, are committed to build the healthcare workforce pipeline.

Programs

	MedStart Summer Camp A program designed to encourage high school students who are in sophomore and junior grade levels to pursue their interest in a variety of healthcare careers. The aim of MedStart is to provide rural, disadvantaged / minority, low income and first generation college students with an opportunity to further explore healthcare careers, learn about college life, and realize the possibility to pursue higher education. Many scholarships are available, however, due to the competitive nature of the camps students are encouraged to apply early. Applications are due in March.
	HOSA- Future Health Professionals The purpose of MT HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.
	REACH Camps Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare is a one-day camp which takes place at the local healthcare facility. REACH provides high school students with the opportunity to explore many healthcare fields through a variety of hands-on stations and activities. Professionals from the sponsoring healthcare facility lead the stations, volunteering their time and talent to mentor students and share their expertise.
	Heads Up Behavioral Health Camp Heads Up Camp is a program for high school students to partake in career exploration and learn valuable skills in the field of behavioral health. Students will have the opportunity to hear from local professionals from a range of occupations – social work, addictions counseling, psychiatry, psychology, etc. They will also receive training to use immediately as advocates / peer support in their communities including suicide prevention and anti-bullying. Over the course of the camp, students will have the opportunity to earn a Youth Mental Health First Aid certificate and learn tools to assist those in need.