Orlando Health: Investing in Employee Growth Through Comprehensive Education Benefits

Orlando Health is dedicated to providing its team members with benefits that exceed expectations, offering career-growing education programs and services to support them and their families through every stage of life. Recognizing the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry and the constant demand for skilled professionals, Orlando Health has adopted a transformative approach to employee education. This commitment not only addresses pressing industry challenges, but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.

Benefits Beyond the Expected

Orlando Health understands the importance of comprehensive support for its team members. Benefits begin on day one and offer flexibility to accommodate individual passions and needs. These include:

  • Medical Plans: A selection of medical plans to choose from, allowing for flexibility that fits individual needs. Discounted Orlando Health medical services and on-site pharmacy access are also available. Team members can also earn monetary incentives by participating in the LifeWorks Well-Being Program.
  • Dental and Vision Plans: A choice of three different dental plans and a comprehensive vision plan.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): A comprehensive PTO policy that provides time off for vacation, holidays, personal business, or personal and family illness. New, full-time team members can earn nearly five weeks of PTO each year. A voluntary PTO cash-in option (at 75% value) is also available four times a year.
  • Retirement Plan: Orlando Health cares about future financial security and offers up to a 5% matching contribution.
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts: A variety of options to help save money on healthcare spending.
  • Insurance Coverage: Group term life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability are provided at no cost to team members. Life insurance options for self, spouse, and children are also available.
  • Well-Being Program: Orlando Health offers a multifaceted Well-Being Program to surround team members with support, including on-demand curated resources, one-on-one coaching for financial stability, and professional counseling.

Removing Financial Roadblocks: The Preferred Education Program

Finances shouldn’t be a roadblock to career advancement. Orlando Health offers a Preferred Education Program that allows team members to pursue an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or technical certificate at select institutions with no out-of-pocket costs. St. Petersburg College is part of the Orlando Health Preferred Education Program. This allows Orlando Health team members to earn a degree or certificate at SPC without incurring any personal expenses.

This tuition assistance program is administered by Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions. They ensure that Orlando Health covers all expenses, including the cost of tuition and books, for Florida residents employed by Orlando Health. By eliminating financial obstacles, team members can further their education while working.

  • Pay the $40 application fee.
  • Tuition costs, fees and book costs must be entered into the EdAssist System. The amount entered into EdAssist should match your costs for books, fees and courses at SPC.
  • EdAssist will pay SPC directly once you have successfully submitted your application.
  • In order to be eligible to receive reimbursement, you must pass your class with a C or better.
  • Your order will then be processed approximately two weeks prior to the start of the term. Any orders placed within two weeks of the term will be processed daily. Please inform the bookstore that you are eligible for this program when ordering your books. If you purchase books elsewhere, you will instead create a book reimbursement application within the EdAssist system and be reimbursed for eligible book costs via Orlando Health’s payroll.
  • After submitting your application for tuition and fees from the EdAssist home screen, find your application under Action Needed, then click Add Another Expense.

Reynolds notes that by removing the financial barrier, team members can pursue education without worrying about upfront costs, which has led to career growth within the organization.

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Tuition Reimbursement Program: Investing in Diverse Educational Goals

Recognizing that not all employees wish to attend the preferred institutions, Orlando Health also offers a tuition reimbursement program for accredited academic institutions. Full-time employees receive $5,000 annually, while part-time employees receive $2,500. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing employees to pursue any degree program, not just those related to their current roles.

Reynolds shares that they leave it wide open with the hope that team members want to stay and grow with them. Typically, they pick a program that fits in with the industry, but if they don’t, at least they’re helping them attain their goals. By offering such a flexible and inclusive program, Orlando Health demonstrates its commitment to the holistic development of its workforce, ensuring that employees feel empowered to follow their passions and achieve their career goals, whether within the healthcare industry or beyond.

Addressing Equity: ESL and High School Programs

Orlando Health has taken significant steps to promote equity by offering English as a Second Language (ESL) and high school programs. These initiatives are particularly impactful for frontline team members who may not have completed their high school education or need assistance with English communication skills.

The high school program is online, allowing employees to complete it at their own pace. The ESL program, provided through EdAssist’s Engen, can be completed in six months as opposed to a typical 12-month program. Reynolds explains that being that it’s an online program, they can take it at their leisure, whenever they’re available, regardless of when their shift is with Orlando Health.

Coaching and Career Pathways: Supporting Employee Growth

To support employees on their career and education journeys, Orlando Health provides coaching through EdAssist. Reynolds highlights that the fact that EdAssist offers a coach for all their programs really helps employees iron out their personal and career goals and allow them to determine how education is going to enhance that.

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Addressing Staffing Shortages: "Grow Your Own" Approach

Orlando Health has implemented comprehensive training programs for positions with significant shortages, such as surgical technicians and medical assistants. By adopting a “grow your own” approach, the organization addresses local shortages and ensures a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.

The Orlando Health-EdAssist Partnership: A Catalyst for Employee Development

Orlando Health’s partnership with EdAssist has revolutionized the organization’s approach to employee education and retention. By offering a wide range of education benefits, from student loan repayment to ESL and high school programs, the organization addresses the diverse needs of its workforce. The inclusion of coaching and career pathways further supports employees in their professional growth. Creating full employee development programs can be challenging, but working with an education assistance service provider, like EdAssist, can help.

Comprehensive Support: Empowering Employees to Thrive

Orlando Health’s comprehensive education and care benefits empower employees to bring their best selves to work. By offering career and education guidance, financial assistance, and family care support, the organization ensures that employees are well-prepared and focused, enabling them to provide the highest quality healthcare.

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tags: #orlando #health #tuition #reimbursement #policy

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