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I remember discussing the idea of strengthening our frontline staff training with a manager at a local hospital. During the conversation she stated, “We spend so much time running around worrying about whether or not our nurses have or are getting their BSN that we pay no attention to our aides and really do nothing extra in terms of education for them.” As the conversation went on, my wheels started turning and I remembered thinking, “Boy, she hit the nail on the head!” Besides the “mandatory” in-services and the other operational type of in-services, what other opportunities are we granting our frontline staff? Unfortunately, additional training is limited because we function in such task-oriented roles that often times we cannot think outside of the box.

The face of healthcare is rapidly growing. People are living longer and we are faced with the challenge of caring for this rapidly aging population. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease. We need to start changing our thinking in terms of how we are training staff based on this statistic alone. Some clinicians say that dementia will be an epidemic and it will begin to get worse soon. The key is to start educating and training your staff now. If we fail to do so we will not only fail our staff, but it will be a tremendous disservice to the people we are charged with caring for.

The topic of sexuality and seniors is another game changer facing healthcare. Many staff members have reported receiving little or no training in the area of sexuality or the topic of sexual intimacy. How much time do we spend talking to our frontline staff about sex? In a study by the National Commission on Aging (NCOA), women, in particular, find sex over 70 as or more satisfying than, say, in their 40’s. Imagine that! This is a side of aging that has been overlooked. As healthcare professionals, it is imperative that we understand all aspects of aging, including sexuality in aging as well as the LGBT community and their needs. In order for our staff to accept the changing trends, they must be trained.

Training overall helps in many key aspects of delivery of care. It helps define competency standards and employer expectations, improves quality of care, dispels stereotypes and stigmas, improves safety, and in some cases, helps reduce turnover. After interviewing ten random workers, they all agreed that they “get tired of hearing the same stuff” when it comes to training. To the nurse’s point, in the beginning there are many training options available for other disciplines but not for aides and techs. Of all the frontline staff, the aides and techs spend the most time providing patient care. With that being said, why don’t we spend more time educating them? Those responsible for training should seek out various training options. There are certifications available that many do not know about or take advantage of. Any well-versed manger knows the value of the frontline staff. The investment in training does not have to always be monetary, but it is certainly invaluable.

Here are a few tips for training:

• Try not to make training so formal. Turn training into a game like Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. Offer small items as prizes (nothing fancy or expensive).
• Pick someone in the session to give an introduction of the training and what they think it will include.
• Maintain structure while allowing others to share their experience(s) on the topic.
• Rather than traditional “tests”, occasionally use a different approach. For example, try putting questions in a bag and let participants pick one out and answer.
• Conduct a small question and answer session.
• Always allow for feedback on the topic.
• Keep your participants engaged.

And always remember the Golden Rule of Training: BE PROACTIVE, not reactive.

Post by Ellisa Lee RN,BS,EMT,CDP,CADDCT, Training Director, Prestige Medical Solutions

See the original post by clicking here.

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We often hear how important it to behave “professionally” in the workplace. If you want to get ahead, be taken seriously, and have your boss think of you as an asset to the team, doing things in a professional way is vital.

But what exactly do employers mean by this term? Surely it’s enough to do your job well and show up on time consistently. Or are there other things expected of you if you want to be viewed as being professional?

Avoid Being Unprofessional

Your employer may not tell you exactly their own view of what being professional means. But we all know from experience how to get labelled as “unprofessional.” By finishing tasks or projects late, for instance. Being unprepared when attending meetings. Spending time gossiping at work.

Other ways to be seen as unprofessional? Treat people with disrespect. Keep them waiting unnecessarily. Steal their thunder by using their ideas without giving them credit. Say one thing then do the complete opposite. Break promises regularly.

10 Ways To Be Professional

Acting like a professional really means doing what it takes to make others think of you as reliable, respectful, and competent. Depending on where you work and the type of job you have, this can take on many different forms.

There are, however, quite a few common traits when it comes to being professional. This includes the following:

1. Competence. You’re good at what you do – and you have the skills and knowledge that enable you to do your job well.

2. Reliability. People can depend on you to show up on time, submit your work when it’s supposed to be ready, etc.

3. Honesty. You tell the truth and are upfront about where things stand.

4. Integrity. You are known for your consistent principles.

5. Respect For Others. Treating all people as if they mattered is part of your approach.

6. Self-Upgrading. Rather than letting your skills or knowledge become outdated, you seek out ways of staying current.

7. Being Positive. No one likes a constant pessimist. Having an upbeat attitude and trying to be a problem-solver makes a big difference.

8. Supporting Others. You share the spotlight with colleagues, take time to show others how to do things properly, and lend an ear when necessary.

9. Staying Work-Focused. Not letting your private life needlessly have an impact on your job, and not spending time at work attending to personal matters.

10. Listening Carefully. People want to be heard, so you give people a chance to explain their ideas properly.

The Professional Advantage

The more you put into practice the 10 points listed above, the better your chances will be to create a positive reputation for yourself. This can ultimately translate into raises and promotions, chances to work on more assignments that you enjoy, less likelihood of being downsized when layoffs are being considered, and the respect of peers and senior management.

You also benefit from feelings of increased self-worth and dignity. Plus you keep yourself marketable for the future. All in all, some very good reasons to as professional as possible.

Today’s blog post was written by Monster.ca. Check them out here.

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What would happen if you were at work and a coworker shows signs of having a heart attack? Or what if you are home and a loved one begins to experience the same? Would you know what to do in these situations?

A person’s heartbeat and breathing can stop at any time due to various reasons such as blood infections, heart attack, accidents, etc.  However, with many of these circumstances, the outcome doesn’t always have to be death. Why? Well, you should know that there is still an effective solution for someone experiencing a heart attack, and one of these solutions is through performing CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which has been developed to help increase the level or chance of survival.

During emergencies, CPR is truly one of the most vital lifesaving techniques used. This is a technique which should be taught to everyone, so when the unexpected happens, you will be ready to apply the necessary first aid. Knowing what CPR is and how important it can be is very instrumental in the life saving process. CPR has the capability to provide the individual the means to keep him or her alive long enough before they receive professional medical attention.

How does CPR work?

The right way of performing CPR is through alternating chest compressions along with giving breaths. This process helps by pushing oxygen into the lungs and blood flowing through the heart, which in turn keeps the individual alive. When you enter a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training program that teaches the proper way of performing CPR, we will not only teach you the meaning of CPR and how it can help, but also everything related to this lifesaving technique, including the correct chest compressions to breath ratios. Many believe that CPR is just a simple procedure, however after taking a CPR training course, you will better understand the difficulty, as well as complexity, of this life saving technique.

Why is a CPR Certification Important?

There are many reasons why CPR is important and necessary. The ability to perform CPR and to know how to use an automatic external defibrillator can make a lifesaving difference when someone suffers a cardiac or breathing emergency. When an individual suffers an out-of-hospital heart attack, their survival depends greatly on receiving immediate CPR from a bystander. However, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), less than one-third of these individuals receive the help they need, because most bystanders are untrained in CPR and are afraid they will do something wrong.

These reasons, and many more, are why everyone should enroll themselves in a CPR / First Aid certification class as soon as possible. Knowing how to perform proper CPR can mean the difference between life and death; whether it’s a stranger or someone in your own family.

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Are you not sure what to do now or how to get a job?

The VISIONS program can help you!

Prestige Medical Solutions is now proudly supporting Middle Earth and their program, VISIONS. VISIONS is a wonderful opportunity for young men and women who need a boost in their lives. A boost which will not only help jumpstart their careers, but also one inspire them to do better.

When you attend Middle Earth’s VISIONS program, the participant will receive $450.00 to attend classes on employment readiness. Yes, YOU will receive $450.00 to attend! These classes will instruct students in what to expect and how to react in order to better prepare them for employment. The classes will also help the student gain experience which will improve their resume.

To be eligible for this work assistance program, individuals must:

• Be between 16 and 21 years old
• Reside in Somerset or Hunterdon Counties
• Be out of school (whether they have graduated, gotten their G.E.D., or dropped out)
• Be low-income
• Face one of the following challenges:
  • Disabled (including an IEP or learning disability)
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • Involved in the court system
  • Mental health illnesses
  • Cultural barriers
  • Runaway
  • Homeless
  • Foster child

Upon completion of this program, ask about your opportunity to receive $4,000 towards furthering their education and receive assistance to help find jobs and employment opportunities. This $4,000 can be put towards one of the many courses Prestige Medical Solutions offers. Can you ask for anything better than that?

As you can see, this is an amazing program which we believe can help young men and women find new careers and better themselves. Prestige Medical Solutions is proud to be a partner of Middle Earth and look forward to continuing to work together. If you or someone you know is interested in the program, or just want more information, please contact us:

Contact Prestige Medical Solutions

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A new study shows teenagers who had a steady diet high in potassium can prevent high blood pressure in adulthood. The study also concluded that a low-salt diet had no effect, which may come to a surprise to many.

This study followed the eating habits as well as blood pressure of 2,185 0 and 10 year old girls for up to 10 years each. Though many people have focused on limited their sodium intake, the study showed that it had no long-term effect on these particular girls’ blood pressure. The girls who had diets which were high in potassium, actually had lower blood pressure than those girls who ate fewer potassium rich foods.

The lead author of the study, Lynn L. Moore, is an associate professor of medicine at Boston University. Ms. Moore said the findings were very important because nutrition recommendations often focus on reducing sodium intake to improve blood pressure, however, she does not believe this to be the case. The study, which was published in JAMA Pediatrics, suggests teenagers should focus on potassium rich foods and not worry as much about sodium.

You may be surprised how many teenager-friendly foods are a good source of potassium. For snacks, a banana has 420 milligrams of potassium, and a snack-size box of raisins has about 350 milligrams. A whole baked potato or potato skins (about 700 milligrams) and baked sweet potato fries (about 500 milligrams) are good sources of potassium. Guacamole from one avocado will have about 900 milligrams or more of potassium. A serving of low-fat yogurt will have more than 500 milligrams of potassium; adding fruit will increase the potassium even more. For teenagers with a taste for leafy greens, spinach and kale are packed with 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium per serving. Kiwi, nectarine, papayas and even dried coconut all have good amounts of potassium.

The recommended intake of potassium is 4,700 milligrams a day, but only a small percentage of people achieve that, Dr. Moore said.

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These students show what hard work and dedication can achieve. We are so proud of you and wish you luck on your future careers and endeavors.

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What Does Anxiety Cause?

Someone who suffers with anxiety will have feelings of worry, dread, fear, or extreme stress. Of course, everyone experiences some type of stress from time to time. Whether it is cause by an upcoming meeting, presentation, or worry. These are common occurrences and everyone is expected to experience; but when does a common occurrence turn into a disorder in need or professional help or treatment?

Living with an anxiety disorder will actually effect the way we think, act, and even the way we live. Some people have phobias they know are illogical, but cannot shake the anxious feelings when put in the position to face them; such as an irrational fear of flying. These phobias can be so severe that we may even avoid the situation all together, which can impact our day to day lives as well as the lives of our family members.

When is it Time to Ask for Help?

Those who have had anxiety get worse and worse over the years; or who feel their anxious feelings have been persistent and affecting their lives, should seek some form of help. If these symptoms have been seriously impacting your work, relationships, sleep, or appetite, you should seek help immediately. One thing we always have to remember is that everyone needs help at one point or another. The good thing is there are people who are trained to be able to help you with your specific problems, but they need you to take the first step.

After you are properly diagnosed, you can begin treatment right away. These treatments can vary from counseling a few times a month, to medication which will help reduce your anxious feelings.

In the end, no one can avoid stress all together, and no one should want to. We must remember there is “good” stress which can actually help us by getting things done quickly, meeting deadlines, and warning us when there’s danger. However, when “bad” stress is impacting our lives, we must find the proper way to control it by paying closer attention to our symptoms, making appropriate lifestyle changes, and exploring treatment options.

For additional information, please continue to:

Coping With Anxiety, Finding Support: One Entrepreneur’s Story

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Certificate programs are becoming more and more popular because of the lower cost, quicker completion time, and more concentrated field of study. For those looking to make a career change later in life, a certificate program may be the way to go based on the fact that many people can continue working while completing the course.

Here are 9 programs that may be a good choice for those looking to get into a new career or enhance your current career in 6 months or less.

1. Certified Nursing Assistant

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) career will put you on the front lines of patient care. Certified nursing assistants are one of the most vital positions to the daily operations in a nursing care facility.

With this certification, you will be able to care for patients at nursing facilities throughout the state. It is an extremely rewarding career, and a quick one to achieve. You can complete this course in as little as 4 – 6 weeks.

2. Certified Homemaker HomeHealth Aide

A Certified Homemaker HomeHealth Aide has many of the same responsibilities as a Certified Nursing Assistant, but has many more advantages. With this certification, you will be able to help people in their own homes. Some responsibilities include bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, etc.

3. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Many health care professionals have, at one time or another, been an EMT. It is a great starting place for people wanting to get into the healthcare world, and can be a great career choice for many people as well.

Though all healthcare professions offer a variety of excitement in one way or another, it is undeniable that being an EMT is near the top of the list. Whether it is the extreme pressure of the job or the ability to save a life every time you clock into work, this career is definitely one for high energy people.

4. Phlebotomy Technician

Becoming a phlebotomy technician is a very quick course and can be completed in as little as one month.  After the course, you will be certified to draw blood from patients and prepare it for lab testing. This is a great course to take, not only because the position is in-demand right now, but because it is a great stepping stone to other career opportunities in healthcare.

5. Certified EKG Technician (CET)

As a Certified EKG Technician, you will operate machines that record the electrical activity of a patient’s heart. EKG rhythms provide important data for the diagnosis of heart conditions. As a CET, you may perform some or all of the following tasks:

1. Set up and administer EKGs, stress tests
2. Prepare patients for Holter, or ambulatory monitoring
3. Edit and deliver final test results to physicians for analysis
4. Schedule appointments
5. Transcribe physicians’ interpretations
6. Benefits to obtaining an EKG Technician Certification may include: more job opportunities, an increased pay scale, job security, and increased subject matter expertise.

6. Security Guard (SORA)

SORA (Security Officer Registration Act) is a standardized security guard training program that has become law in the state of New Jersey (since 2007). If you wanted to start a career as a security guard in any aspect, you need this certification. The good thing is this course can be completed in as little as 2 days.

As a trained security guard, the job opportunities are endless. Not only is it a great paying career, but also one where you can find work in many different fields.

7. IV Therapy

In order to start or maintain an IV line, you must be a Certified IV Therapist. Anyone from a staff member in the ER to a technician who assists in MRIs must take this course. It only takes 7 hours to complete and a great thing to add to your resume when looking for your new career!

8. Certified Medication Aide

If you would like to help patients with their medicine or administer it, you must become a certified medication aide. With this certification you can work at assisted living, group homes, and other residential facilities. The course is only 30 hours long and will get you on your way to a rewarding career as a certified medication aide.

9. Medical Billing & Coding

Medical facilities have quickly realized that billing and coding errors have been causing them enormous problems. Because of this, medical billing & coding specialists are being hired in droves.

The position allows for flexible scheduling as well as a good salary. If you want to enter the medical field but are too squeamish to have a career in medicine or nursing, this may be perfect for you.

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