PTH provided five pathways to earn stackable credentials in the health care industry through a career pathways model and offered intensive advising, supportive services, and work-readiness activities, including workshops to prepare for the job search and job search assistance. Participants could also receive scholarships for tuition and books of up to $3,500 (or $6,500 for certain more expensive programs such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Medical Office Specialist, and Medical Records Technician) at the community college that operated PTH. The PTH credential programs lasted between 1 and 24 months, in addition to 10 weeks of optional remedial coursework. The program focused on individuals with low incomes (as defined by the program; before the study, participants had an average annual income of about $17,000) who were eligible to work and interested in a career in health care. The program was implemented in Pima County, AZ.
PTH was part of the Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education study which also evaluated the following career pathways programs: Bridge to Employment in the Healthcare Industry, Carreras en Salud, Health Careers for All, Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training, Patient Care Pathway Program, Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, Workforce Training Academy Connect, and Year Up.
PTH offered occupational training in health care–related fields to individuals with low incomes interested in a career in health care.