A unique partnership has formed between Zane State College, Washington State Community College (WSCC), and Belmont Technical College. In answer to the region’s need for highly skilled workers in healthcare fields, the colleges are making it easier for residents to obtain a two-year degree that combines coursework from these institutions.

“When leaders from our medical communities expressed a critical need to replenish the shortage of trained medical personnel in the local workforce, our colleges immediately explored a collaboration that responds quickly to help fulfill a particular community need,” said Dr. Paul Brown, president of Zane State College. In Guernsey County, one critical need is for respiratory therapy assistants. In Washington County, skilled occupational therapy assistants are in short supply.”

Dr. Charlotte Hatfield, president of WSCC, and Dr. Brown signed an articulation agreement on April 14, which combines coursework at one college with clinical laboratory study at the other. Thus WSCC students can obtain occupational therapy assisting skills and Zane State College students can obtain respiratory therapy assisting knowledge without the colleges acquiring costly laboratory resources that are well in place at the other institution. Students can complete classes without traveling to the partner campus more than one day a week.

"The lack of trained Respiratory Therapy Assistants graduating from college programs is a nationwide issue that affects Southeastern Ohio,” said Angie Long, Vice President of Nursing Services at Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center.  “The low number of Respiratory Therapy Aids graduating from area colleges is evident by the fact that it took Southeastern Med 14 months to fill our last available full-time position.  We struggled to find a qualified candidate to fill the opening.  This dilemma can only be solved by hospitals and colleges, which offer this type of accredited program, collaborating to encourage individuals to enroll in the program by showing there is a need for their services upon graduation."

One student already planning to take advantage of this collaboration is Parkersburg, West Virginia resident Don Barnes.  Last December, Barnes fell victim to the economic downturn. Over the holidays, the 46-year old married father of two had to tell his family the devastating news that he was without a job. In January, Barnes began taking general education classes at  WSCC and will enroll in the occupational therapy assistant program at Zane State College.

Despite ending 2008 on a sad note, Barnes’ story is on its way to a happy ending.  He is relieved that the collaboration between his college and Zane State College will lead to direct employment as an occupational therapy assistant. "There was a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an oncoming train," said Barnes. "Now I just need to get there by the end of next year. If I can get to the tunnel, I'm not afraid of the dark."