As workforce shortages challenge health systems, East Alabama Health (EAH) is using innovative strategies to recruit, train, and retain professionals. The initiatives prepare employees for roles in nursing, medical coding, radiology, emergency services and more.
In 2024, EAH partnered with Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) to launch an on-site LPN school to address the need for more nurses. Students enrolled in the program get paid while attending class, lab and clinicals and maintain employment during school. After finishing their degree and achieving licensure, the students step into their new jobs at East Alabama Health as LPNs.
To provide employees with additional opportunities to obtain a nursing degree, EAH sponsors 10 spots each semester for employees to enroll in Southern Union State Community College’s (SUSCC) nursing program.
The partnerships with local schools also extend into the organization’s nurse apprenticeship program. Students pursuing a nursing degree at Auburn University, Central Alabama Community College, CVCC, SUSCC, or Troy University at Montgomery are eligible to apply for East Alabama Health’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
For selected applicants, East Alabama Health covers tuition, books and fees in exchange for a work commitment following degree completion. Apprentices are paired with a nurse mentor for their rotations and receive payment as they complete the clinicals for their degree. In addition to payment for required clinical hours, apprentices are also guaranteed 24 additional hours of work per month, providing financial security and even more exposure to hands-on training.
Through a partnership with Wallace State Community College, employees receive on-the-job training and coursework over a one-year apprenticeship.
Beyond expanding opportunities for nursing careers, East Alabama Health’s apprenticeship programs extend to training employees for roles such as medical coders, scrub techs and certified nursing assistants (CNA).
Through a partnership with Wallace State Community College, employees receive on-the-job training and coursework over a one-year apprenticeship.
“Through the Workforce Development program, two employees earned their Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) credentials on their first attempt and have transitioned into full-time coding specialist positions,” said Claire Payne, director of Medical Records.
The journey doesn’t have to end with the CCS credential. Employees can further pursue a follow-up apprenticeship aimed at preparing for the Certified Professional Coder exam.
Another high-demand, low-supply career are surgical techs, also known as scrub techs. In 2022, EAH began a year-long Scrub Tech Apprenticeship Program. Since starting, more than 20 employees have become certified as scrub techs through the program.
For those pursuing formal education, scholarship loans and tuition reimbursement programs provide financial support. The workforce development programs at East Alabama Health not only cover educational costs, but also pay employees as they participate.
Between October 2024 and September 2025, EAH provided nearly $700,000 in educational funding for existing employees through scholarship loan programs and tuition reimbursement.
The organization's Nurse Residency Program is designed to support the transition from student to professional nurse. Recognizing that the first year of practice can be challenging, the program creates a supportive cohort community where new nurses are paired with experienced mentors and gradually integrated into clinical work.
East Alabama Health’s Earn and Learn program allows high school students an opportunity to work in areas of the organization that fit their career goals. Earn and Learn students can be found in nursing units, radiology, ambulances, the maintenance department, and nearly every other department that keeps East Alabama Health running.
Together, these workforce training programs create a continuum of opportunity—welcoming learners at all levels of education and experience, nurturing their growth, and helping to build a stronger healthcare workforce for the region.