Healthcare Jumpstart Program
The Healthcare Jumpstart Program is a collaboration between UK HealthCare, Bluegrass Community & Technical College and Kentucky school districts interested in creating a supportive pathway to a healthcare career for their students.
About the Jumpstart Program
At UK HealthCare, our community partners are a large part of who we are. The Jumpstart Program allows our team to work closely with Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC) and school districts across the region to:
- Accelerate healthcare education
- Increase interest in the healthcare field
- Establish a workforce pipeline to fill critical roles at UK HealthCare and across Kentucky
Programming and coursework give students important resources to work and learn where they live at an accelerated pace.
By using dual-credit course options, high school students at participating schools can complete prerequisite courses for a healthcare-focused program of study through BCTC while also earning credits toward high school graduation. This allows them to:
- Explore and cultivate their interest in health care
- Reduce or eliminate cost of attendance and save time from the program’s start
- Earn transferrable college credits while in high school
When participants enroll at BCTC after high school, they have the chance to complete their associate degree in a healthcare program in two years or less.
Program timeline
Grades 9 & 10
As high school freshmen and sophomores, students work with their guidance counselor to discuss the Jumpstart Program. They learn what it can mean for their future.
Grades 11 & 12
Participating students work with each entity – UK HealthCare, BCTC and their school district – to take courses to prepare for the workforce. During their junior year, students must complete prerequisite courses in the areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and state registered nurse aid (SRNA) training. As seniors, students must complete anatomy, physiology, psychology and math prerequisites.
Your path from BCTC enrollment to community employment
Students who continue within this healthcare track at BCTC can accelerate their nursing degree to becoming a registered nurse or work toward another healthcare profession. The time from enrolling at BCTC (after high school graduation) to community employment is two years or less.
If a student is interested and qualifies, they can choose to apply for a tuition scholarship from UK HealthCare. Acceptance of the scholarship enters the student into an agreement with the healthcare system with a work-back commitment.
Participants in the high school program also have the option to continue their education track at BCTC or another institution with no commitment to UK HealthCare.
How UK HealthCare will help
- UK HealthCare will support BCTC’s dual-credit courses and programming.
- UK HealthCare will support increased understanding of healthcare professions and what healthcare professionals bring to the community.
UK HealthCare employment perks
- Competitive compensation
- Outstanding health, dental and vision insurance
- 200% match on retirement contributions
- Free tuition for employees and tuition discounts for dependents
- Access to well-being specialists for mental, physical and personal health
- Generous paid time off
How your school district can get involved
UK HealthCare and BCTC would like to know more about working with your district!
To learn more about how to get started, email jumpstart@uky.edu.