Study Area: Nursing and Medical Laboratory Technician
Contact: Kerry Fridstrom, 320-629-5183
Deadline: 08/01/2012
Award Amount: up to $500
Award Count: TBD
Fall 2012 Healthcare Alliance Scholarship Application NOW Available!
*Updated* Versatile Medical Assisting Program debuts at PTC
PINE CITY, Minn. – Pine Technical College (PTC) has long offered programs in long-term care, nursing, and general health science, and now with support from a federal Department of Labor health training grant, the college is excited to roll out a versatile Medical Assisting degree along with a stand-alone Phlebotomy and Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) credential programs open to licensed healthcare providers.
The Medical Assistant program prepares students to perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Designed with flexibility in mind, coursework includes Phlebotomy and Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) training, as the duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty.
Our rural employers are always looking for flexible, multi-skilled employees; an already licensed healthcare provider, such as Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse, is sure to gain an edge on the job market by adding the EKG/ECG credential. This short three-credit EKG/ECG training program prepares students to use EKG/ECG monitors to assist physicians to diagnose and treat heart ailments. A four-credit Phlebotomy credential prepares students to perform a variety of duties such as drawing blood from a patient’s finger, heel, or vein, and processing specimens.
Pine Technical College, established in 1965 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves more than 1,200 students and awards certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. PTC’s notable programs include accounting, American Sign Language, automotive technology, business administration, business technology, computer programming, computer science, early childhood development, gunsmithing technology, network administration, practical nursing (LPN), professional nursing mobility (RN), precision manufacturing/machining (CNC), public welfare financial worker, and many more.
PTC is a proud member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which is comprised of 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in noncredit courses. PTC is accepting applications for new students in all programs; fall courses will start Aug. 27. For more information, call 320-629-5100 or visit www.pinetech.edu.
The Healthcare Alliance welcomes new staff
Laura Shaleen, Kris Hanson, Melissa Johnson, Leslie Price
We are pleased and proud to announce the addition of four new staff members to the Healthcare Alliance/Strategic Initiatives Department at Pine Technical College!
Laura Shaleen, Education and Employment Advisor graduated with a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University Moorhead and worked as a mental health case manager for both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining PTC, Laura was at Minnesota School of Business as a High School Admissions Representative and most recently, at Globe University as an Academic Coordinator. Laura currently lives in Lindstrom with her husband, Matt and their two dogs, Stanley and Hank. She also volunteers at a local animal shelter as an Adoption Counselor and photographer. Laura greatly enjoys helping those in need of changing their lives. Laura loves motivational, inspirational, and thought-provoking quotes, feel free to share your favorites with her!
Kris Hanson, Education and Employment Advisor Kris joined HCA in Dec 2011 and comes to us from PTC’s Employment and Training Center where she worked as a Supported Work Specialist, Social Security Advocate, Family Advocate, Workshop Coordinator and Presenter for the past 6 years. Kris has worked twenty plus years in the Human Services field with high risk families in a one-on-one setting assisting parents to overcome barriers and leading them to be a successful family. Kris is passionate about the people that she works with and enjoys being with people. Kris loves to spend time with her family, and loves most all outdoor activities including horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, gardening and hunting.
Melissa Johnson, Education and Employment Advisor With a background in teaching, Melissa Johnson is no stranger to the education world. She taught Family and Consumer Science in the North Branch and Hinckley-Finlayson school districts. Melissa owned and operated a quilt shop for six years, teaching adult sewing classes in the evening and most recently worked as a media center assistant in the Barnum school district. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science Education from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND and a Master’s degree in Educational Learning Technologies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Melissa lives in Willow River with her husband, Shawn. She enjoys quilting, reading, camping, and spending lots of time with family. A strong believer in lifelong learning, Melissa is very excited about the opportunities the Healthcare Alliance and Pine Technical College can provide for students.
Leslie Price, Education & Employment Administrative Specialist Prior to joining the H2P grant team at Pine Technical College, Leslie Price worked as a Coordinator for a group home with adults with cognitive and behavioral disorders. Leslie has also worked as a job coach training adults with disabilities to obtain and maintain meaningful employment with Options Inc. in Big Lake, MN. Leslie also has training in customer service, insurance sales, and some marketing. Leslie will obtain her AA in Health Administration in June of 2012, and will continue on to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Long-term Health Administration through the University of Phoenix. Leslie enjoys helping individuals set goals and reach them. It is an exciting opportunity to work to help student’s meet their professional goals in the health care field.
ARCC Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aid Program Meeting Community Needs
Enrollment has soared in the Anoka-Ramsey Community College non-credit certified nursing assistant/home health aide (CNA/HHA) program since it was launched in February 2011. Demand was immediate both to attend the program and for graduates of the program. To date nearly 300 students have graduated from the non-credit program.
Among them, Sam Anderson, a Cambridge, MN resident with a bachelor’s degree, took a 77 hour Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College through support from the Healthcare Alliance’s HOPES grant, and has found satisfying work in the ever-growing field.
“CNA’s provide a foundation in long-term care facilities,” says Anderson, who one day hopes to be an emergency room nurse. “CNA’s help residents with all the activities of daily living, needs most fundamental to health and well-being, while supporting the need to feel dignified and cared for.”
Now, having found nursing as a passion and stable career, Sam is a 1st Semester ADN student.
For more details, please click here to visit ARCC’s website.
Tutition assistance for NEW CNA class!
Come to an information session on the March-start CNA class at PTC
Jump-start your career. Join the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)!
- Short-term training in Pine City begins March 13; you could be working in as little as 2 months!
- Upward-mobile for those considering becoming an LPN or RN
- Tuition assistance may be available to those who meet eligibility guidelines
- Seats are limited
- Attendance at one information session is required; choose to attend Feb. 22, 5:30 to 7 p.m. OR Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Information sessions will be held in the JCS Conference Room of Pine Technical College, 900 4th St. SE, Pine City, MN. Call us at 320-629-4570 or toll-free 800-521-7463 (ext. 570) for more information. We’re also available online 24 hours a day: healthcare-alliance.org
Introducing a new CNA program at PTC ideal for WI residents
For the first time ever, Pine Technical College (PTC) is proud to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program eligible for transfer to Wisconsin’s state registry. The development of the new course came at the urging of PTC’s Healthcare Alliance partners in Wisconsin. This course, when taken as a part of PTC’s new Long-Term Care Assistant Certificate, is also eligible for federal financial aid, another unique bonus.
“We are excited to strengthen our relationship with our Wisconsin partners by offering students the flexibility to work on both sides of the border,” says Krista Hoekstra, Director of Nursing. “The program’s eligibility for financial aid is also sure to make it more accessible to prospective students.”
The Long-Term Care Assistant Certificate was designed in response to healthcare facility requests to increase student communication and critical thinking skills, so students are sure to be in-demand upon completion.
“It fits just what we look for,” confirmed Burnett Medical Center’s Long-Term Care Director of Nursing Carol Ahlquist.
Complementary to the A.S. Degree in Health Science and upward compatible with the Practical Nursing Diploma and A.S. Degree in Nursing, the Long-Term Care Assistant Certificate is an ideal program for anyone wishing to enter the medical field.
Scholarship opportunities are provided each semester on a competitive basis, and support service funding is available to those facing financial hardships. Job placement assistance is also provided through the Healthcare Alliance, housed at PTC.
Healthcare Alliance awarded over $3 million
The overall grant, a $19.6 million federal workforce training investment, runs for a period of three years and includes 10 colleges. The Alliance’s own Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) and Pine Technical College (PTC) are among them. ARCC will create a Fast-Track Associate in Science Degree in Nursing and a Fast-Track Physical Therapist Assistant degree program with their $1.31 million award.
“This allows us to serve more students, including displaced workers eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance, who seek and education leading to meaningful employment in two years or less, as we strive to meet the needs of our community workforce,” explained Jennifer Eccles, Anoka-Ramsey’s Director of Nursing.
PTC tentatively plans to use their $1.7 million award to develop programs in limited scope X-ray technology, certified medical assisting (CMA), as well as phlebotomy and EKG certificates.
“This is an exciting moment for Pine Technical College. This grant will allow us to expand job training in healthcare, as well as work toward meeting critical workforce shortages in the industry,” says Robert Musgrove, Ph.D., Pine Technical College President.
Joining us in the Health Professions Pathway (H2P) Consortium are: El Centro College and Texarkana College, Texas; Ashland Community and Technical College and Jefferson Community and Technical College, Ky.; Owens Community College, Ohio; City Colleges of Chicago, Ill.; Community College of the District of Columbia; and the partnership’s lead, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
The consortium has three major goals:
- Provide low-skilled workers with adequate preparation, support and opportunities to complete postsecondary training in health professions that provide credentials aligned with job advancement;
- Expand and enhance the health care workforce with the competencies needed by industry;
- Build the capacity of community colleges to continuously assess student and employment outcomes and use the information to improve the quality of health professions programs.
“The demand for healthcare professionals is expected to continue growing, and with our strategic partnership with the Healthcare Alliance, we remain on the forefront of pursuing innovative ways to expand our programs to strengthen the development of a skilled workforce. I congratulate all our partners on securing this significant award,” Musgrove adds.
Spring Scholarship Application Available NOW!
Study Area: pre-nursing, PN, ASN, BSN, A.S. Health Sciences, MLT
Deadline: 11/30/2011
Award Amount: $500
Qualifications: Students must be in a pre-nursing, PN, ASN, BSN, A.S. Health Sciences, or MLT program at the schools indicated on the application.
Nursing Assistant Guides… leading you to a great career in Healthcare!
NursingAssistantGuides.com is dedicated to providing students with the information and tools needed in order to pursue Nursing Assistant programs.
A recent blog post on the site, 20 Useful Online Tutoirals for Nursing Assistants, is a great example of the resouces they can direct you to.
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