Rural Allied Medical Business Occupations (RAMBO). Final Evaluation Report.

A partnership was formed to address the crisis that rural health care facilities in rural Nebraska face in attracting and hiring trained health care workers. The Rural Allied Medical Business Occupations (RAMBO) project trained economically disadvantaged individuals in high technology medical fields. Five objectives were outlined in the project: (1) to solve allied medical shortages; (2) to provide economically disadvantaged individuals with training; (3) to refer disadvantaged individuals for occupational training; (4) to provide training over a 12- to 18-month period; and (5) to provide on-the-job training/classroom opportunities. To arrive at an acceptable level of service, six steps were conducted: (1) develop a program purpose; (2) identify target occupations (respiratory therapists, surgical technicians, laboratory assistants, practical nurses, histology technicians, and drug and alcohol counselors); (3) determine educational requirements; (4) establish curricula; (5) implement the program; and (6) conduct evaluation. Thirty-nine economically disadvantaged individuals were placed in RAMBO; 28 successfully completed the program and 11 dropped out. By providing these individuals with training, RAMBO has given them an opportunity to improve their economic circumstances and help solve the rural health care crisis. (Success stories of participants, participant training information, and periodical clippings are included.) (NLA)