(Camden, NJ) – The Cooper Health Careers Initiative (CHCI), a new education and job training program leading to employment in medical coding, is offered free of cost to Camden City residents. The CHCI was developed in partnership with the Camden County Freeholder Board, Cooper University Health Care, Camden County Technical Schools, Camden County One Stop, Camden County College, Camden County Workforce Development Board and Hopeworks N Camden.
“This program will become the access and opportunity point for the students of Camden to open doors into sustainable, vibrant careers with unlimited potential with Camden County’s largest employer,” Freeholder Jonathan Young said. “Cooper is stepping up to the plate and identifying talented students who are driven to succeed to become the future of their organization and the county is playing a critical role in job training to ensure we have a successful initiative.”
The CHCI program is open to young adult residents of Camden who have a high school diploma, GED, or are working toward one and are prepared for a college-level course of study. The program is also available to students currently enrolled as high school seniors at Camden County Technical Schools, or may be high school graduates who are currently unemployed or underemployed and seeking a rewarding career.
“This is a great opportunity for young people in the city to gain a valuable skill that will lead to a rewarding career,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez. “As Camden’s medical institutions, and Eds and Meds corridor continues to grow, there will be a greater demand for these types of jobs creating more opportunity.”
County Technical Schools will serve as the recruiting and administrative partners to identify qualified applicants. Once enrolled, participants will receive ongoing support and coaching to complete a certificate program in medical coding, approved by the American Health Information Management Association, and offered by Camden County College. Following completion of the coursework, Cooper will sponsor a paid internship to provide hand-on experience in the field. Candidates who successfully complete and graduate from the Medical Coding Program and who meet all of Cooper’s pre-employment requirements, will be hired for a full-time, entry-level medical coding position at Cooper.
The total costs of the program, approximately $12,000 per participant, are covered by public and private funding. Participants will also be eligible for job and a work stipend at Hopeworks N Camden allowing them to gain valuable work skills and financial resources while they complete their studies.
The program offers rolling admission and the first cohort of students began the program in September 2017. Currently 13 students are enrolled in the program.
For more information about the program, eligibility requirements or apply, call (856) 365-4673 or email CHCI@Hopeworks.org.