Cooper Board Chairman George E. Norcross, III Announces New Collaboration Providing Camden Youth with Free Medical Coding Education and Promise of Employment at Cooper 

(CAMDEN, NJ) – George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care, joined elected officials, representatives of Camden County College, Hopeworks ‘N Camden, and leaders of local agencies to announce the Cooper Health Careers Initiative (CHCI), a new education and job training program leading to employment, offered free of cost to eligible Camden residents.

“The Cooper Health Careers Initiative is another example of the commitment we all share to ensure that the people of Camden benefit from the revitalization of our city,” said Mr. Norcross. “Working with Camden County and Hopeworks, Cooper is creating opportunities for Camden residents to receive the education, training, and support they need to start a good paying career as a medical coder.”

The CHCI was developed in partnership the Camden County Board of Freeholders, Camden County Technical Schools, Camden County One Stop, Camden County College, Camden County Workforce Development Board, and Hopeworks N Camden.  Hopeworks N Camden and Camden County Technical Schools will serve as the recruiting and administrative partners to identify qualified applicants.

The CHCI program is open to young adult residents of Camden who:

·         Have a high school diploma, GED, or working toward one and  are prepared for a college-level course of study,

·         Are currently enrolled as high school seniors at Camden County Technical Schools, or

·         May be high school graduates who are currently unemployed or underemployed and seeking a rewarding career. 

“This program will become the access and opportunity point for the students of Camden to open doors into sustainable, vibrant careers with unlimited potential with Camden County’s largest employer,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young said at the event. “Cooper is stepping up to the plate and identifying talented students who are driven to succeed to become the future of their organization and the county is playing a critical role in job training to ensure we have a successful initiative.”

Once enrolled, participants will receive ongoing support and coaching to complete a certificate program in medical coding, approved by the American Health Information Management Association,  and offered by Camden County College.    Following completion of the coursework, Cooper will sponsor an internship to provide hand-on experience in the field.  Candidates who successfully complete and graduate from the Medical Coding Program and who meet all of Cooper’s pre-employment requirements, will be hired for a full-time, entry-level medical coding position at Cooper.

The total costs of the program, approximately $12,000 per participant, are covered by public and private funding.  Participants are also eligible to obtain a job with a work stipend at Hopeworks N Camden during their education that allows them to gain valuable work skills and financial resources while they complete their studies.

“The most exciting thing about this program is the incredible partnership from stakeholders across the region.  This program is truly a commitment to Camden, and Camden’s young people,” said Dan Rhoton, executive director of Hopeworks ‘N Camden.

The program offers rolling admission and the first cohort of 13 students began the program in September 2017.

For more information about the program, eligibility requirements or apply, call 856-365-4673 or email CHCI@Hopeworks.org.