The New York State Department of Health is dedicated to strengthening its healthcare workforce throughout the state. To achieve this, they are providing robust education, comprehensive training, and effective job placement support. This initiative is designed to assist both individuals who are just beginning their journey into healthcare and current professionals seeking to advance their careers through the Career Pathways Training Program.
Introduction to the Career Pathways Training Program
The Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare in New York State. This innovative education and training program was established under New York’s 1115 Demonstration Waiver, a key component of the New York Health Equity Reform (NYHER) waiver amendment. For detailed information, you can refer to New York’s Special Terms and Conditions. The primary goal of this vital program is to build a sustainable and reliable workforce pipeline. This pipeline aims to effectively address critical workforce shortages across the state by strategically funding education and training opportunities for health, behavioral health, and social care workers throughout New York State. By focusing on career pathways training, the program is setting the stage for a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
Explore Approved Professional Titles within the CPT Program
The CPT program offers diverse career pathways training options, categorized into three primary professional titles. Participants in the program can choose to pursue training and education in the following areas: nursing, professional technical fields, or as frontline public health workers.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to connect with the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) relevant to their region to begin the application process.
Professional Technical Career Pathways
This category within the career pathways training program includes a range of essential healthcare roles requiring specialized technical skills and knowledge:
- Physician Assistant
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Master of Social Work
- Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor
- Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Respiratory Therapist
Nursing Career Pathways
Nursing represents a critical area of focus within the career pathways training program, offering routes for professional growth at various levels:
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Associate Registered Nurse
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nurse Practitioner
Frontline Public Health Worker Career Pathways
Recognizing the importance of community-level health interventions, the career pathways training program also supports the development of frontline public health professionals:
- Community Health Worker
- Patient Care Manager/Coordinator
CPT Program Career Pipelines: Advancement and New Careers
The CPT program is strategically structured into two distinct career pathways training pipelines, designed to cater to individuals at different stages of their professional journey: Career Advancement and New Careers.
Career Advancement Pipeline
The Career Advancement Pipeline is specifically designed to empower current professionals within the health, behavioral health, and social care sectors. It provides access to targeted education and advanced training opportunities, enabling them to progress and excel in their current career pathways. To be eligible for this pipeline, individuals must be currently employed by a New York State health, behavioral health, or social care provider and gain acceptance into an approved professional training and education program.
New Careers Pipeline
The New Careers Pipeline is open to individuals seeking to enter the healthcare field. This pathway welcomes those who are currently unemployed or employed outside of the NYS health, behavioral health, or social care sectors. The central aim of this crucial initiative is to attract new talent into the healthcare workforce, thereby expanding access to essential care for Medicaid members and strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure through effective career pathways training.
Participants enrolled in the Career Pathways Training Program are required to commit to a three-year period of employment at a NYS Medicaid-enrolled provider. This provider must serve a patient population that is comprised of at least 30 percent Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals, ensuring that the benefits of this training program directly reach underserved communities.
Workforce Investment Organizations (WIO) and Regional Service Areas
To effectively administer the Career Pathways Training program across New York State, three strategically positioned WIO Regions have been established. Each region is assigned a dedicated WIO to manage and oversee the program’s implementation and participant support.
| Map Color | Regions Covered | WIO Name | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange circle | Region 1: Hudson Valley, New York City, Long Island | 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF) | Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulter, Westchester |
| Dark blue circle | Region 2: Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Southern Tier | Caring Gene Healthcare Career Pathways | Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schedectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren, Washington |
| Light blue circle | Region 3: Finger Lakes, Western New York | Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) | Allegany, Cayuga, Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara |
Participant Eligibility Requirements for the CPT Program
To be considered eligible for the Career Pathways Training Program, prospective participants must fulfill the following essential criteria:
- Citizenship Status: Applicants must be a United States Citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
- Educational Prerequisites: Candidates must satisfy all educational and training program requirements that are specific to their chosen CPT title and course of study. This may encompass:
- Prior completion of relevant educational programs, possession of necessary licensure, and/or professional certifications.
- Successful completion of required academic or training pre-requisites, or passing scores on mandatory entrance examinations.
- Fulfillment of any stipulated training hours, volunteer experience, or experiential learning components.
- Residency Requirement: Applicants must be a resident of New York State or reside in a bordering state, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Important Note: Participants residing outside of New York State are required to be employed by a NYS healthcare provider to qualify for the CPT program.
- Commitment to Employment: Participants must be committed to securing employment at a New York State Medicaid-enrolled provider that serves a significant proportion of vulnerable populations, specifically at least 30 percent Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals. These eligible providers may include organizations operating within the health, behavioral health, and/or established Social Care Networks, ensuring that the career pathways training program supports those dedicated to serving communities in need.
