State Grant Expands Pathway to Healthcare Careers at Mary Greeley
AMES, IA – Mary Greeley Medical Center is proud to receive a $250,000 Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant, which will help the hospital expand the pipeline for certified patient care technicians (PCTs) in central Iowa.
The funding is part of the state's broader $2.9 million initiative, supporting 14 projects aimed at recruiting individuals for high-demand healthcare roles, including nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
In response to the critical CNA shortage, Mary Greeley’s CNA Pathway program is a learn-and-earn initiative offering Basic and Advanced Nursing Assistant credentialing, hands-on training, and paid employment at the medical center. Participants will work as PCTs at Mary Greeley while completing their CNA certification training through local colleges.
Over the next 18 months, the program will enroll 30 participants, targeting those exploring a career change, seeking professional advancement, or pursuing healthcare careers as high school or college students. The grant covers full tuition, supplies, and salaries—not only for new employees but also for mentors and trainers who support their development. Additionally, the Mary Greeley Foundation has committed $119,000 in matching funds to further strengthen the program’s long-term impact and sustainability.
PCTs provide comfort and support for patients and their families, while supporting nurses with clinical patient care tasks, including monitoring vitals and assisting with mobility and hygiene care.
“Having started at Mary Greeley as a patient care tech, I know first-hand what an invaluable role PCTs play in the experiences patients and families have at our medical center,” said Amber Deardorff, vice president, chief nursing officer, and chief operating officer who will become Mary Greeley’s president and CEO in August. “Just as important, it’s a position that can serve as a launching point for so many other opportunities in healthcare.”
Being a PCT also provides a foundation for people who want to advance in healthcare, providing experience and preparation for future nurses and other clinical, technical, and therapeutic roles.
In addition to the grant-supported program, Mary Greeley provides a range of career development opportunities, including financial assistance for education and certification programs, and structured training opportunities to help individuals grow into the next phase of their healthcare careers. The initiative reinforces Mary Greeley’s commitment to workforce development, quality patient care, and accessible career pathways for future CNAs, helping to address a growing need in central Iowa’s healthcare system.
