Area Health Education Center
Connecting Students To Health Careers – Health Professionals To Communities – Communities To Better Health
About Us
The Big Country Area Health Education Center, provided by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health, plays a crucial role in addressing the healthcare needs of rural and medically underserved populations across 28 counties in the region. Through collaborations and initiatives aimed at bridging the gap in healthcare access, BCAHEC serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in health careers and professionals seeking to enhance the well-being of their communities. With a strong focus on improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals, the center’s programs aim to strategically partner with academic programs, communities, and professional organizations to ensure that a skilled and diverse healthcare workforce is readily available to meet the diverse needs of the region. This commitment underscores BCAHEC’s dedication to advancing overall community health by increasing access to quality healthcare services.
- Key Program Focus Areas
- Health Careers Promotion and Preparation (Pipeline)
- Community-based Experiential Learning (CBEL)
- Professional Education and Support (Continuing Education)
- Community Health and Development
Student Healthcare Pathway Programs
College Student Opportunities
AHEC Scholars Program
The West Texas AHEC Scholars Program, part of the National AHEC Organization, provides college students in health professions programs with additional training and clinical experiences in rural and underserved areas. The program aims to recruit a diverse cohort from minority, disadvantaged/rural, and first-generation college students, offering a stipend of up to $1,600 over one to two years. Through the program, students gain insight into their roles in promoting health care equity in underserved communities.
The Scholars Program offers a unique curriculum and students walk away with a much better understanding of their roles as a health professional and the need for health care equity amongst medically underserved and rural areas.
The West Texas AHEC program is broken into two parts:
1st – Online Didactic Education
2nd – 40 hours of Rural/Underserved clinical rotations
- Interprofessional Education (also known as interdisciplinary training)
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Connecting Communities and Supporting Health Professionals
- Virtual Learning and Telehealth
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Practice Transformation
- Current and emerging health issues
- You must have an interest in rural or underserved healthcare.
- You must be enrolled in a health professions degree or certificate program.
- Your field of study must be on the AHEC list of Approved Disciplines.
- You must be within the last two years of completing your degree or education program.
- 40 rotation hours in rural/underserved and interprofessional sites. (If you are currently employed in a health care organization, work hours can be used towards rotation hour requirements.)
- completion of self-paced online didactic study.
- Meet all course deadlines agreed upon enrollment, to receive National AHEC Scholars Completion Certificate and Stiped Payment.
- Update program office of any changes in education status, address, and contact information during program duration.
High School Student Opportunities
Junior Scholars Program
The Big Country AHEC Jr. Scholars Program offers specialized initiatives for high school students interested in health career pathways. Tailored to meet the unique workforce needs of the Big Country Region, our programs provide:
PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Health careers presentations & promotions
- Tailored, creative, hands-on curriculum designed for high schools and students
- Collaborative activities, including health career presentations, exploration activities, career fairs, and seminars
- Access to the Health Opportunities in Texas Job Directory
- Health training, job shadowing opportunities, and AHEC-hosted events
- Day health career camps, college, and hospital tours
- Support for purchasing scrubs, equipment, and learning materials
Current Partnerships & Initiatives
We are proud to collaborate with several partners to enhance our Junior Scholars Program through the following initiatives. Click each one to learn more.
- Description:The Scrubs Club is an integral part of the Big Country AHEC Junior Scholars Program, dedicated to equipping high school students with essential scrubs and supportive resources for their journey into health careers. Designed to complement the specialized initiatives of the AHEC program, the Scrubs Club ensures students are professionally prepared and fully equipped for their health career exploration.
- Benefits:
- Professional Scrubs Provision: Participants receive high-quality scrubs, essential for job shadowing, health training, and other hands-on experiences.
- Enhanced Career Preparation: Ensures students are well-prepared with the proper attire and resources, boosting their confidence and readiness for real-world health career scenarios.
- Comprehensive Support: Exclusive access to health career activities, including AHEC-hosted events, career exploration activities and classroom presentations and other opportunities provided by the AHEC Junior Scholars Program.
- Description: Powered by Region 14, this collaboration offers a hybrid CNA certification program and health career exploration pathway, delivering essential tools and resources to regional school districts and high school students preparing students for healthcare careers aimed to increase the growing demand for skilled professionals.
- Benefits: CNA Course & Instructor, Clinical rotations, IBC Opportunity for Students, Health Career Exploration, Student Enrichment Activities & Job Shadowing, Regional Healthcare Resources and Support, and Partnerships with Colleges and Universities.
- Description: The Healthcare Academy is for 9th through 12th grade students interested in learning more about healthcare. Healthcare Academy participants will attend a healthcare expo featuring various healthcare-related job demonstrations, participate in an open lab at Cisco College to experience “a day in the life” of a healthcare student, and job shadow healthcare professionals at Hendrick Health.
- Benefits: Healthcare Events, Lab Days at Cisco College, Job Shadowing Opportunities at Hendrick Health, and more.
- Click here for more information. https://www.hendrickhealth.org/careers/workforce-development/students/
- Description: The Healthcare Pathfinders Program is a collaborative initiative to promote health careers and establish health clubs in rural schools. Through this program, students are exposed to in-demand healthcare careers, interact with industry experts, and participate in monthly enrichment activities designed to spark their interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Health Opportunities in Texas Career Catalog
(HOT Jobs Directory)
Community Based Education & Support
The Big Country AHEC offers a wide range of support which is designed to be responsive to local health needs and serve as an important link between academic training programs and community-based outreach programs. The BCAHEC works to provide innovative and collaborate responses to addressing workforce issues, health disparities, and ultimately fill in the gaps where we are needed most. A few ways we accomplish this include:
AHEC Innovation Symposium – Vernon College
Community Health Worker Training
There are several ways we work broadly to support regional CHW’s to meet the needs of their communities to improve overall health outcomes.
- CHW Certification
- Curriculum Support
- Continuing Education
- Advocacy
- Support Group
- Networking
Continuing Education Support
AHECs provide accredited continued education programs and professional support to meet the needs of healthcare professionals with a focus towards those practicing in rural and underserved areas.
