Beyond Doctors

by Carol Kim, Vice President of Community Investments & Public Affairs, Health Net

As many Californians grapple with health challenges, the state faces shortages of health care providers in several major health professions, including allied health workers who are the front line of medical care.

A report by the Public Policy Institute of California estimates a shortage of nearly 450,000 adequately trained health care workers in California over the next decade. Causes of health workforce shortages include an aging workforce, salary inequities, geographic differences and staff capacity. Demand for health care services is projected to increase due to population aging and growth. For patients, this may mean facing extended wait times to get care or forgo care altogether. This cycle contributes to the growing health divide in California.

Health Net is working with health care providers throughout California to ensure professional development opportunities to attract, train and retain the best health care workforce in our communities. With 11 grantees receiving a total of $1.5 million through Health Net for workforce development, each organization can tailor their strategy to best meet their workforce needs and serve patients locally. With these grants, they can attract, keep and motivate the most qualified health professionals — enabling them to be competitive employers — and ensuring quality care.

One such organization is Los Angeles-based The Children’s Clinic (TCC), a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the greater Long Beach community. TCC is developing and implementing a career ladder for at least 20 Medical Assistants (MA’s). These MA’s are integral members of the patient care team performing administrative and clinical duties to support physicians and other staff. TCC’s training program for their MA’s will expand their roles to take on more responsibility in patient care, enabling them to perform at full capacity on the care team member, and possibly lead to the next health career advancement in areas like nursing.

At Health Net, we believe all Californians should have access to quality health care, regardless of zip code or income. Health care providers and their staff – in every role and at every career stage –- are key to improving the health outcomes of each patient, transforming the community, one person at a time. By supporting professional development of our providers, Health Net aims to better the quality of health care in California’s communities of greatest need. 

Visit healthnet.com to learn more about Health Net.