Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

01/18/2026

For National Thesaurus Day, we won't say: A friendly reminder, if you're interested in studying, or working, in healthcare go to our website polkcountyhealthcare.org.

Instead, we'll say: Welcoming prompt, if you’re fascinated in learning, or being employed, in wellbeing upkeep move to our internet site polkcountyhealthcare.org!

01/15/2026

High schoolers, if you're interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, be sure to attend Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences's Mini Medical School program! This is a great opportunity to see what you'll experience as you move forward toward a medical degree. Follow the link to learn more!

High school students interested in exploring careers in health care are encouraged to register for Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences’ Mini ...

01/08/2026

January 8 is National Career Coach Day!
Today, we’re excited to recognize Jenn Wagner, Pathway Navigator with the Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative. Jenn is an expert on the many education and career pathways available for students interested in healthcare careers right here in Polk County.
If you’re curious about opportunities in the Des Moines area’s growing healthcare field, Jenn is here to help guide the way!
Reach out to learn more and start planning your future.

01/04/2026

Here’s the answer to our trivia question for National Trivia Day: 60%! That’s right, 60% of all healthcare workers are considered Allied Health Professionals. That includes Respiratory Therapists, Medical Lab Technologists, Medical Assistants, Radiological Technologists, and more!
You can learn about these careers at PolkCountyHealthcare.org!

01/04/2026

For National Trivia Day, we have a question for everyone: What percentage of healthcare workers are Allied Health Professionals (or not a doctor or a nurse)? We’ll share the answer later today!

01/01/2026

12/16/2025

Last week we worked with UnityPoint Health to host a Hospital Tour for high school students in Central Iowa. Students had the opportunity to see behind the scenes of a variety of departments of the hospital. They ended the day with some hands-on experiences with teams from Respiratory Therapy, nurses with Labor and Delivery and the team from UnityPoint's Lab! Find more opportunities on PolkCountyHealthcare.org.

12/16/2025

Calling all Registered Nurses, and those just entering the world of nursing, MercyOne has several openings! Follow the link below to learn more! If you want to know how to become a Registered Nurse (RN), check out PolkCountyHealthcare.org.

Ready to take your nursing career to the next level? MercyOne has openings across Iowa for operating room registered nurses.

✅ Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses available for select roles. Learn more. > https://bit.ly/43RapVr

12/12/2025

That’s it for our Medical Lab Technician and Medical Lab Scientist Week! If you’re interested in hearing more about DMACC’s MLT program, keep an eye out this Spring for an upcoming Info Session on campus. If you’re interested in Mercy College of Health and Science’s MLS program, you can learn more by attending a Mercy College Campus Visit Day! Please reach out if you have any other questions to Jennifer Wagner at Jennifer@PolkCountyHealthcare.org.

12/12/2025

🌟 Career Story Highlight: Bryant Dippel 🌟
Bryant Dippel began his career in various financial call center roles before discovering his passion for healthcare as a Lab Support Technician at UnityPoint. After realizing how much he enjoyed the work, he took the next step and enrolled in the Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program at DMACC.
While in school, Bryant balanced 3–4 days a week on campus with weekend shifts at UnityPoint. Thanks to state and DMACC scholarships, he completed the entire program with zero out-of-pocket cost!
Here’s what Bryant shared about his experience:
“DMACC did an amazing job preparing me for lab work. The hands-on activities and supportive professors made all the difference. I love knowing that what I do helps doctors diagnose and treat patients more accurately—plus I enjoy working behind the scenes! No day is the same since I rotate through areas like Urinalysis, Blood Bank, Hematology, and Chemistry. I’m now pursuing my bachelor’s degree, and with UnityPoint’s tuition reimbursement, I can finish debt free.”
Bryant’s journey is a great example of how accessible—and rewarding—a career in laboratory science can be!

12/10/2025

‼️ DID YOU KNOW?!
The world of Medical Lab Technicians (MLT) and Medical Lab Scientists (MLS) is both fun and fascinating!
Up to 70% of diagnosis and treatment decisions made by medical providers come from information gathered by MLTs and MLS professionals. Their work plays a critical role in helping determine the best course of action for patients. 🔬💙
A behind-the-scenes job with a major impact!