A job well earned

Despite distractions — such as a reporter hovering over her shoulder, snapping pictures, noting her every move — Dana Semar continues to count items, pull and stock supplies, and make sure all orders are the appropriate amounts. She knows if she makes one misstep, someone may not get all of what they need, and that’s her responsibility.

“I love my job,” Semar said. “It’s an important job because it is up to us to get it right, because if we don’t get it right the people up top are going to be unhappy. Their job is hectic as it is.”

Semar, 21, is one of the students involved in Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s adult transition program for special education students trying to move into the workforce. The program recently started working with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian to give students on-site training and work experience. Out of the 24 students enrolled in the program for 18- to 22-year-olds, three are a part of the Hoag program.

“We feel that all these students can be active members in society and the workforce,” said Newport-Mesa transition specialist Vicki Ann Martini. “The goal is when they leave us, they can go to work for a six-hour day, if they [physically] can.”

For now the students work three-hour days at Hoag as part of their educational program, which is run at Harper Preschool. Two of the students, including Semar, work in material services where they learn how to process orders, load them and restock supplies. The other student works to stock bedside supplies and linens for the emergency room.

“They are working great,” said Material Services Manager Pete Martinez. “It’s a great program, such a win-win.”

The school district personnel learned the job duties from Hoag employees and then trained the students, Martini said. The educators’ hopes are to give the students job skills that can get them better opportunities than retail, fast food and courtesy clerk jobs, Martini said.

“They are more immersed in a total work environment and the bar has been set higher,” Martini said. “There is more responsibility and the tasks are more complex.”

The program has already seen two graduates find employment, and one, Sofia Perez-Sesan, may retain her position at Hoag once she leaves the school district’s program.

The long-term goal for Martini is to see a classroom at Hoag that gives students the chance to spend the day there. The students who qualify for the training and experience that could be linked with the department of rehab want to be more independent and have the freedom to work a six-hour day.

“It’s challenging for me,” Semar said. “I like challenge and work.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].