Dr. Bridgette Rodriguez first crossed paths with CareerSource NEFL three years ago when, as the clinical director for five behavioral health centers, she connected with the organization’s business services manager for healthcare – which led to some Customized Training for her employees.
“I met with Carol (Cullen) and applied for the grant, which was accepted, and it led to three women working as receptionists at the front desk to becoming certified behavioral health technicians,” Rodriguez said. “I really just connected with the team during that whole process.”
More recently, and now as the owner of One Healing Pathway, she turned to CareerSource NEFL again to assist in filling a position at her own clinic. Rodriguez, a clinical psychologist, along with two other certified health counselors, provide counseling services for those suffering from addiction, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems.
Rodriguez is now in her second year of operation, and when it recently came time for the doctor to fill two new positions, she contacted Cullen and found out about the other services the organization provides.
“I want to give Carol kudos, because she shared with me all about the employment services, and ended up introducing me to everyone at the center, including Karen (Govia, Healthcare Business Specialist), who helped me post the openings on Employ Florida,” she said. “We ended up talking with about seven different candidates, and hired Harley Cruz-Rivera as our receptionist, and we’re in the process of interviewing another.”
Rodriguez says once she settles in with her new employees, she hopes to pursue another customized training grant over the next 12 months to upskill more employees – and looks forward to another opportunity to work with CareerSource NEFL.
“For other businesses, including small businesses like mine, that may need help finding employees or training assistance to teach employees new skills, I would definitely recommend visiting a career center,” she said. “I can say they provide a personal experience. They identify exactly what you need and tailor something specifically for you. They follow up so quickly throughout the process, too.”
She added that the employees made her “feel like family” when she was at the center.
“I had met some of them through email, but when I went to the beaches center and spent over an hour talking to them, it was all so natural and they were so helpful,” she said. “It really is a family-like atmosphere. I felt I had known these people all my life.”
For more information about the clinic, visit www.onehealingpathway.com.
Photo Caption: Dr. Bridgette Rodriguez (left), the owner of One Healing Pathway, with receptionist Harley Cruz-Rivera – hired thanks to help from CareerSource NEFL.