Qualifying students of the Norton Healthcare-UPS Health Care Career Tracks program will work for UPS while taking courses at Jefferson Community and Technical College or the University of Louisville.

Story by: Norton Healthcare on September 15, 2020

Faith Hamilton was already a Metropolitan College student studying in a health care field last fall when she learned of, and enrolled in, a new education option — the Norton Healthcare-UPS Health Care Career Tracks program.

“I knew right from the start I had to incorporate myself into this perfect opportunity,” Faith said. “This program gives others a chance to take that first step in health care and open new doors for the future.”

Faith worked as a loader for UPS until the end of 2019. She’s now a patient care associate at Norton Audubon Hospital while she continues to pursue her nursing degree at Jefferson Community and Technical College.

According to Christy Ralston, director of Norton Healthcare’s workforce development department, the program is ideal for students looking to explore careers in health care without having to worry about how to pay tuition.

“The partnership with UPS has allowed us to offer students a chance to discover their career fit here at Norton Healthcare while working toward a tuition-free education,” Christy said.

Jackson Jones IV worked as a package handler at UPS for more than three years until he chose to focus on a Norton Healthcare career in June 2020. Jackson now works as a patient care associate at Norton Hospital. He is pursuing his nursing degree at the University of Louisville.

“The nursing profession provides so many paths and levels that I can take,” Jackson said. “Wanting to make a difference and provide excellent patient care is what I strive to do in my career.”

How Norton Healthcare-UPS Health Care Career Tracks works

Qualifying students of the Norton Healthcare-UPS Health Care Tracks program will work for UPS while taking courses at Jefferson Community and Technical College or the University of Louisville. While in school, students will be eligible for career coaching, shadowing and hands-on experience at Norton Healthcare.

When they are 12 to 18 months away from completing their degree track or program, students will take professional courses and be invited to explore the following health care career pathways:

• Apply to the Norton Scholars Program and receive tuition assistance.
• Apply for a position at Norton Healthcare while completing their college program.
• Apply for a student role in one of Norton Healthcare’s career tracks programs.

Career tracks include diagnostic imaging – radiology technology; health information management; laboratory science; medical assistant; nursing; pharmacy technology; respiratory therapy; surgical technology; emergency medical technology; and neurodiagnostic technology.