Career Pathways
Explore the Pathways to a Career in Healthcare
Healthcare is more than just a job. It’s a calling to make a difference in people’s lives. Berkshire Health Systems has
a strong history of commitment to medical education.
Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) offers paid training opportunities where you will learn valuable skills, earn certifications, and fast-track your progress toward a rewarding career in healthcare.
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Explore the Pathways to a Career in Healthcare!
Registered Nurse (2 programs)
Registered nurses set up plans for patient care. Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Requirements: Coursework pre-requisites are determined by the college*
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
Schools: Berkshire Community College, Maria College, Columbia Greene Community College
Time to Completion: 2 years (4 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
*Pre-requisite courses are not covered by the pathway program
How to apply:
LPN to ADN Bridge Program at Berkshire Community College
Requirements: Must be an active LPN to enter this program
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
Schools: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year (2 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
- Apply and be accepted into the program at Berkshire Community College
- Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS
Licensed Practical Nurse (2 programs)
A licensed practical nurse is a health care professional responsible for basic patient care and comfort. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient’s status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient’s status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records.
LPN Program through Berkshire Community College
Requirements: Coursework pre-requisites are determined by BCC
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 Hours
School: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year (2 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
LPN Program through McCann
Requirements: Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam at McCann
Work Hours: 8 hours
Paid Hours: 40 Hours
School: McCann Postsecondary
Time to Completion: 1 Year (10 months)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a wide range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including such problems as asthma or heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs.
Respiratory Therapy Program through Berkshire community College
Requirements: No prerequisites
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 2 years
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
Surgical Technician
Surgical technologists work in the sterile environment with surgeons, anesthesia personnel and nurses in delivering surgical patient care. Surgical technologists are employed in hospital-based operating room settings, outpatient surgical centers, maternity units, emergency rooms, central sterile reprocessing units and in the medical sales field.
Surgical Technician Program
Requirements: A prerequisite summer course at BCC, AHS-107 Introduction to Surgical Technology, is required in August preceding enrollment.
Work Hours: 16 hours
School: Collaboration between Berkshire Community College and McCann Postsecondary
Time to Completion: 2 years
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA) are skilled multitaskers who help maximize the healthcare team’s productivity. Medical assistants enable a healthcare facility to operate more efficiently, which increases revenue and provides a positive experience for patients. For physicians, clinical medical assistants help manage the increasing complexities of practice management and patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for medical assistants will grow 16% through 2031, which is much faster than the average job.
Certified clinical Medical Assistant Program
Requirements: Must be 18 to sit for the certification exam; Must have a high school diploma or GED
Work Hours: 20 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Ed2Go (online)
Time to Completion: 26 weeks
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Uniforms, supplies and laptop provided
How to apply:
- Apply on our website for “Practice Assistant“
Radiology Pathway Programs
Cardiac Sonography Pathway Program
Cardiac sonographers, also known as echocardiographers, are health care professionals specially trained to use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose heart problems in patients.
Requirements:
– Must have a minimum of an associate’s degree and credentials in an allied health program which requires hospital-based patient care experience with a 2.5 cumulative average or a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative average and a minimum of 400 hours of hospital-based patient care experience including 40 hours in department.
- All candidates applying must have a minimum of a “C” or higher in the additional college level entrance requirements.
- College level courses mandated: 8 credits human anatomy and physiology (courses must have been taken within seven years of admittance); 3 credits algebra, statistics or higher level; 4 credits physics and/or radiographic physics; 3 credits English such as composition or public speaking.
- Allied health programs may include: Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Polysomnography, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, RN, OTA, PTA, MD or DO.
Work Hours: 0 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Hudson Valley Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
CT Technologist Pathways Program
A CT technologist, operates head or body X-ray scanners that create a computer-generated cross-sectional image, commonly called a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) Scan. Responsible for educating and preparing patients for their examinations.
Requirements:
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- Current ARRT/NMTCP/ARDMS certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or Radiation Therapy
- Current CPR Certification
- Cross Sectional Anatomy (3 credits)
Work Hours: 8 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Time to Completion: 1 to 2 semesters
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
MRI Technologist Pathway Program
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologist helps support patients with medical needs while working with sophisticated scientific technology. MRI techs are among the higher-paid professions within the allied health industry, which is the industry involved with identifying and analyzing medical conditions.
Requirements:
- An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Current ARRT, NMTCB or ARDMS certification
- Current CPR certification
- Cross Sectional Anatomy (3 credits) course, passed with a C or higher
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (summer start only)
Time to Completion: 12 months
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pathway Program
Nuclear medicine technologists perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body. Physicians interpret the images to study and diagnose an infection or disorder. Nuclear medicine technologists also give doses of radiation to patients internally to treat medical conditions.
Requirements:
- Currently registered (or registry-eligible) in the medical imaging or radiologic sciences
- Baccalaureate degree in any field
Work Hours: 0 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (online, summer start)
Time to Completion: 15 months
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop
How to apply:
Pathway Experience
Employment
2-3 year work commitment to Berkshire Health Systems after completion
0-20 hour work commitment during program
What is Included?
– Paid tuition*
– Fees
– Books
– Uniforms
– Supplies
– Laptop
– Full time Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
Partners
-Berkshire Community College
-McCann Postsecondary School
-Maria College
-Columbia Greene Community College
-Ed2Go (online)
-Hudson Valley Community College
-MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
*Paid Tuition, fees, books and uniform not offered for the Medical Assistant Pathway Program.
Outcomes
In 2023 Berkshire Health Systems has trained hired over 140 people through out career pathways programs.
FAQ’s about our Pathways Program
Not seeing what you’re looking for?
01
Tell me more about the Associate’s Degree of Nursing Program At Berkshire Community College
We currently sponsor people to attend Berkshire Community College’s (BCC) ADN program to become an RN. BCC does require a number of prerequisites that are not covered under our pathway program. They all need to be completed and then once you apply and are accepted into the nursing program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.
The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.
Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for Berkshire Health Systems as an RN for 3 years.
02
Tell me more about the LPN to RN bridge program at Berkshire Community College
We currently sponsor people to attend BCC’s LPN to RN bridge program. You should reach out to BCC and provide them with your transcripts showing you attended a for-credit LPN program and that you are currently licensed. Once you are accepted into the bridge program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.
The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as an LPN for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.
Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an RN for 3 years.
03
Tell me more about the Licensed Practical Nurse program at Berkshire Community College
We currently sponsor people to attend BCC’s LPN program. BCC does require a few prerequisites that are not covered under our pathway program. They all need to be completed and then once you apply and are accepted into the nursing program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.
The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.
Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an LPN for 2 years.
04
Tell me more about the Licensed Practical Nurse program at McCann Postsecondary
We currently sponsor people to attend McCann’s LPN program. There are no prerequisites for this program, but you do need to meet with an advisor at the school and take the TEAS placement test. You should reach out to the school to schedule the test and once, accepted to the school, you can apply to the pathway program.
The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 8 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.
Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an LPN for 2 years.
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