Registered Nurse (2 programs)

Registered nurses set up plans for patient care. Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.

Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Requirements: Coursework pre-requisites are determined by the college*
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
Schools: Berkshire Community College, Maria College, Columbia Greene Community College
Time to Completion: 2 years (4 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

*Pre-requisite courses are not covered by the pathway program

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at Berkshire Community College, or
  2. Apply and be accepted into the program at Maria College, or
  3. Apply and be accepted into the program at Columbia Greene Community College
  4. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS
LPN to ADN Bridge Program at Berkshire Community College

Requirements: Must be an active LPN to enter this program
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
Schools: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year (2 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at Berkshire Community College
  2. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS

Licensed Practical Nurse (2 programs)

A licensed practical nurse is a health care professional responsible for basic patient care and comfort. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient’s status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient’s status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records.

LPN Program through Berkshire Community College

Requirements: Coursework pre-requisites are determined by BCC
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 Hours
School: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year (2 semesters)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply to the program and be accepted through Berkshire Community College
  2. Apply for the Pathway Program
LPN Program through McCann

Requirements: Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam at McCann
Work Hours: 8 hours
Paid Hours: 40 Hours
School: McCann Postsecondary
Time to Completion: 1 Year (10 months)
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply to the program and be accepted through McCann Postsecondary
  2. Apply for the Pathway Program

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a wide range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including such problems as asthma or heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs.

Respiratory Therapy Program through Berkshire community College

Requirements: No prerequisites
Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Berkshire Community College
Time to Completion: 2 years
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at Berkshire Community College
  2. Apply for the Pathway Program at BHS

Surgical Technician

Surgical technologists work in the sterile environment with surgeons, anesthesia personnel and nurses in delivering surgical patient care. Surgical technologists are employed in hospital-based operating room settings, outpatient surgical centers, maternity units, emergency rooms, central sterile reprocessing units and in the medical sales field.

Surgical Technician Program

Requirements: A prerequisite summer course at BCC, AHS-107 Introduction to Surgical Technology, is required in August preceding enrollment.
Work Hours: 16 hours
School: Collaboration between Berkshire Community College and McCann Postsecondary
Time to Completion: 2 years
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 3 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted to the program at Berkshire Community College
  2. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Hands on patient care, with one-on-one training, and no student loans.
Learn more about our Medical Assistant Training Pathway Program by clicking here.

Certified clinical Medical Assistant Program

Requirements: Must be 18 to sit for the certification exam; Must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency.
Work Hours: 40 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Ed2Go (online)
Time to Completion: 28 weeks
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, uniforms, supplies, and laptop provided.

How to apply:

  1. Apply on our website for “Practice Assistant”

Radiology Pathway Programs

Cardiac sonographers, also known as echocardiographers, are health care professionals specially trained to use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose heart problems in patients.

Requirements:

– Must have a minimum of an associate’s degree and credentials in an allied health program which requires hospital-based patient care experience with a 2.5 cumulative average or a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative average and a minimum of 400 hours of hospital-based patient care experience including 40 hours in department.

  • All candidates applying must have a minimum of a “C” or higher in the additional college level entrance requirements.
  • College level courses mandated: 8 credits human anatomy and physiology (courses must have been taken within seven years of admittance); 3 credits algebra, statistics or higher level; 4 credits physics and/or radiographic physics; 3 credits English such as composition or public speaking.
  • Allied health programs may include: Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Polysomnography, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, RN, OTA, PTA, MD or DO.

Work Hours: 0 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: Hudson Valley Community College
Time to Completion: 1 year
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at Hudson Valley Community College
  2. Apply for the Pathway Program at BHS

A CT technologist, operates head or body X-ray scanners that create a computer-generated cross-sectional image, commonly called a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) Scan. Responsible for educating and preparing patients for their examinations.

Requirements:

    • Current ARRT/NMTCP/ARDMS certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or Radiation Therapy
    • Current CPR Certification
    • Cross Sectional Anatomy (3 credits)

Work Hours: 8 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Time to Completion: 1 to 2 semesters
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted to the program at MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (online)
  2. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologist helps support patients with medical needs while working with sophisticated scientific technology. MRI techs are among the higher-paid professions within the allied health industry, which is the industry involved with identifying and analyzing medical conditions.

Requirements:

  • An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Current ARRT, NMTCB or ARDMS certification
  • Current CPR certification
  • Cross Sectional Anatomy (3 credits) course, passed with a C or higher

Work Hours: 16 hours
Paid Hours: 40 hours
School: MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (summer start only)
Time to Completion: 12 months
Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (online program)
  2. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS

Nuclear medicine technologists perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body. Physicians interpret the images to study and diagnose an infection or disorder. Nuclear medicine technologists also give doses of radiation to patients internally to treat medical conditions.

Requirements:

  • Currently registered (or registry-eligible) in the medical imaging or radiologic sciences
  • Baccalaureate degree in any field
    Work Hours: 0 hours
    Paid Hours: 40 hours
    School: MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (online, summer start)
    Time to Completion: 15 months
    Commitment to BHS after Completion: 2 years
    What is included: Paid tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies, laptop

How to apply:

  1. Apply and be accepted into the program at MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  2. Apply to the Pathway Program at BHS

Pathway Experience

Employment

2-3 year work commitment to Berkshire Health Systems after completion

0-20 hour work commitment during program

What is Included?

– Paid tuition
– Fees
– Books
– Uniforms
– Supplies
– Laptop
– Full time Medical, Dental and Vision benefits

Partners

-Berkshire Community College
-McCann Postsecondary School
-Maria College
-Columbia Greene Community College
-Ed2Go (online)
-Hudson Valley Community College
-MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Outcomes

In 2023 Berkshire Health Systems has trained hired over 140 people through out career pathways programs.

RN
46
Registered Nurses
Practice Assistants
59
Medical Practice Assistants
LPN
18
Licensed Practice Nurses
LPN to RN
19
Our bridge program from Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse
  • RN
    46
    Registered Nurses
  • Practice Assistants
    59
    Medical Practice Assistants
  • LPN
    18
    Licensed Practice Nurses
  • LPN to RN
    19
    Our bridge program from Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse

FAQ’s about our Pathways Program

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01

We currently sponsor people to attend Berkshire Community College’s (BCC) ADN program to become an RN. BCC does require a number of prerequisites that are not covered under our pathway program. They all need to be completed and then once you apply and are accepted into the nursing program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.

The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.

Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for Berkshire Health Systems as an RN for 3 years.

 

02

We currently sponsor people to attend BCC’s LPN to RN bridge program. You should reach out to BCC and provide them with your transcripts showing you attended a for-credit LPN program and that you are currently licensed. Once you are accepted into the bridge program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.

The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as an LPN for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.

Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an RN for 3 years.

03

We currently sponsor people to attend BCC’s LPN program. BCC does require a few prerequisites that are not covered under our pathway program. They all need to be completed and then once you apply and are accepted into the nursing program by BCC, you can apply for the pathway program.

The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 16 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.

Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an LPN for 2 years.

04

We currently sponsor people to attend McCann’s LPN program. There are no prerequisites for this program, but you do need to meet with an advisor at the school and take the TEAS placement test. You should reach out to the school to schedule the test and once, accepted to the school, you can apply to the pathway program.

The pathway program will pay for all costs associated with your education including tuition, fees, supplies, books, uniforms, etc. While in training, you will be required to work as a nursing assistant (we will train you if needed) for 8 hours each week, but we will pay you for 40 hours of work.

Upon completion of the program, you will need to work for BHS as an LPN for 2 years.

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Our Partners in Education

Berkshire Community College
Hudson Valley Community College
ed2go
McCann Technical School
Maria College
MA College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Columbia Greene Community College
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
In recognition of the importance of this degree program for the Berkshires, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), has agreed to help MCLA fund certain program costs and provide facility space. Read more here.

Interested in one of our Pathway programs?