Franklin, CT
Every traveler needs a good navigator.
Those on the healthcare career path are no different. Antonia’s HPOG success story is about what happens when you find the right navigator on the road to success.
Antonia was a single mom in eastern Connecticut struggling to support her young daughter and herself. Her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and license were not enough to help her secure the full-time employment she needed. Antonia sought help from a local job center and was directed to a Health Careers Advancement Project’s (HCAP) orientation workshop where she learned about HPOG. At this workshop she met Rachael Martel, the Regional HPOG Navigator who would help her set a new career course. With Rachael’s encouragement, Antonia scheduled a follow-up appointment to discuss her goals, barriers, and how HPOG might be able to help.
Rachael learned about Antonia’s desire to continue her career path in healthcare. She felt her interest in phlebotomy could open more employment doors. Rachael assisted Antonia in researching the availability of phlebotomy jobs in the local job market and whether they would be a viable option with her CNA background.
Antonia was understandably nervous about HPOG training. She faced many challenges. Her mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer, as well as unpredictable hours at her part-time job. Her biggest concern though was being there for her daughter while still attending training over 15 miles from their home.
Rachael worked tirelessly to help make the training situation reasonable for Antonia.
She educated Antonia on childcare resources in the area and helped her find a program that sponsored rides to her training location. HPOG support funds also helped Andrea repair her vehicle. The program helped ease Antonia’s financial stresses so she could focus on her studies.
Rachael made sure Antonia had the ability to text her daily for quick “check-ins” and anxiety relief. The combination of financial, emotional, and logistical support from HPOG helped Antonia graduate with a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate. Antonia’s new credentials have given her new, and greater, aspirations.
Antonia forged her own career path, but the help she received from her HPOG navigator helped pave the way for her success.
Files
- PDF HPOG Antonia at Eastern Connecticut Workforce PDF (82.44 KB)