Newswise — Baltimore, MD - Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support the facility’s Workforce Development career coach specialist.
The career coach position was launched last year in an effort to recruit and train area residents become geriatric nursing assistants (GNAs). The career coach also guides the employees and helps them set career and life goals.
“Levindale is grateful to Bank of America for understanding that people need a helping hand at some point in their lives,” said Anita Hammond, the manager of Workforce Development at LifeBridge Health, Levindale’s parent company. “Levindale is also happy that Bank of America recognizes the vital work that the career coach does and the importance of hiring, training and retaining the best employees to help the frail and elderly in our geriatric center and specialty hospital.”
The GNA position is entry level, and many individuals are hired directly from high school or GED programs, often making this their first real job. The coach evaluates the skills of GNAs when they are hired, recommends training and education as needed and follows through making sure they have the resources to succeed in their new position.
“Supporting Levindale’s career coach has not only helped create jobs in the Baltimore market, but has enabled geriatric nursing assistants to acquire new and valuable skills,” said David Millman, Maryland and Baltimore market president, Bank of America. “These skills are not only advancing careers, but helping employees provide for themselves and their families.”
Among the skills that Levindale’s career coach helps develop are communication, culture, sensitivity, job satisfaction, and personal and professional goal setting. Assistance for job-related knowledge that could lead to advancement includes computer literacy, financial planning, academic tutoring, the importance of punctuality and how to interact with people.
Thanks to the Bank of America grant, the career coach also provides resources to resolve personal issues, including unreliable child care, lack of transportation, housing, legal issues, or budgeting.
Bank of America’s initial 2013 grant enabled Levindale to create and fill the career coach position. Since Levindale received the first grant in 2013, the turnover rate among GNAs declined about 25 percent that year.
Levindale is part of LifeBridge Health, one of the largest, most comprehensive health care systems in Maryland. In addition to Levindale, LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, and other subsidiaries and affiliates.
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