Health Occupations Trends &

Training Recommendations

Jim Comins R.N., DirectorEd>Net Health Initiative

& Corine Brown, NowPresenting!

Health Occupations Trends Advanced Technology

Health Office Information Technology Increased Medical Technology

Changing Demographics Increasing age and diversity of population Increasing consumer sophistication

New Health Care Business Practices Government regs Cost cutting & multi-skilling, team based approach to

care Alternative therapies Public/Private partnerships New types of Physician Practice management firms

85%79%

76%74%71% 69%

66% 63%

55%51%

48% 47% 46% 45%

38%

Percentage of Growth for Health Services Occupations

Fastest Growing Occupations Through 2005

Trends Identified by Health Occupation Associations

Associations for the Aging Seeking accreditation for Adult Day

CareRehabilitation Associations

Need for Entry level rehab workers with remote licensed supervision

“Job Coaches”Medical and Nursing Associations

Nursing Shortage looming

Emergency Medical Associations More higher level skills performed in field

away from hospital

Dental Associations Increasing demand for cosmetic dentistry

Pharmacist Associations Lobbying for Certificate for Pharm techs Increasingly patient focused approach

Trends Identified by Health Occupation Associations

Technology - Training Recommendations

Train students in the use of computers and the Internet

Customer service, "call center" and phone etiquette training for Telemedicine

Project and information management training

Workers trained in genetic testing methods for both anatomic and clinical pathology

Demographics - Training Recommendations

Multilingual/culturally aware workers and front office staff

EMT’s higher skill set with remote MD Access

Entry level workers with increased training in geriatrics

Business savvy students (HMO’s, PPO’s, business practices, claims processing,etc.)

Automated External Defrib (AED) & CPR

Business Practices Training Recommendations

Health care workers who can engage in independent contracting

Incorporate information on government regulations

Telephone skills and etiquetteTraining programs for:

Behavioral Specialists Wellness Trainers Lifestyle Associates and Elder Sitters

Important Future Skills

Computer skillsWritten/Verbal skillsOrganizational skillsProject/Multiple

Priority ManagementFlexibilityTeam

Multi-skill/cross training

DependabilityEfficiencyMulti-lingualismCPR Training

Recommended Taskforces

Enhanced Industry and Education Technology

Growing Senior and Multicultural Population

Employer-focused Skills TrainingCommunity Health ServicesNursing Specialty Training

General Guidelines for Task Force

What are the most important elements of the issue? How is the issue interrelated with the identified trend? What industry changes are occurring and what are the

causes of these changes? Where and when will the biggest changes take place? What type of new training will be necessary and what

will be the demand for that curriculum? What training programs are already available?

How can we adjust our current training programs to encourage participation and demonstrate value to our business partners?

Enhanced industry and education technology

a. Issues To Address:

Improved computer hardware, software and diagnostic equipment Integrated computer-based patient records Automation of business processes Distance education (Web-based / Internet) New medical procedures and advancements "Real Time" information

b. Target Goal: To identify the type of education necessary to developthe computer skills, business information and organizationmanagement skills to provide the health care industry with anexperienced workforce.

Growing Senior and Multicultural Population

a. Issues To Address:

How retiring workers change the dynamics of the workforce Increasing number of seniors place a growing strain on the current

health care system Large influx of Asian and Hispanic workers and patients Creation of multilingual training programs for workers serving this

group New marketing strategies needed to attract and educate the

changing population

b. Target Goal: Identify ways to help students understand and assistthis segment of the population in obtaining the quality health servicesthey require.

Employer-focused Skills Training

a. Issues To Address:

New education focus (Promote critical thinking / skill-driven / team environment / career ladder, etc.)

Workforce differences (Gen X vs. Baby Boomers) Independent contractor skills

b. Target Goal: To create programs which provide the skillsand hands-on experience necessary to prepare workers forthe health care organizations that offer minimal training.

Community Health Services

a. Issues To Address:

Evolving Telemedicine practices and regulations New government reporting requirements for compliance

and quality assurance / data analysis Emerging alternative medicine

b. Target Goal: To offer quality, entry-level training programs which are needed as new Community health

service positions are created.

Nursing Specialty Training

a. Issues To Address:

Specialty RN vs. General RN Recruitment and retention trends Work load / staff ratios Acute care vs. other levels of nursing care

b. Target Goal: To create nursing programs that willteach the skills necessary to develop a workforce that isable to fulfill the requirements of the health careemployers.