Tag: Health

Nonprofit Spotlight: Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program | Excellence in Philanthropy


For many Native American students, college seems as far off as the moon. But as Buzz Aldrin said in an appearance at the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program, “Once you set your mind to get something done, seemingly anything is possible.”

ANSEP has been boosting students to university and beyond since 1995, with a plan that begins in middle school and extends into career placement after graduation. This series of intensive academic supports centered at the University of Alaska Anchorage inspires students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As of 2016, roughly 2,000 students have taken part in the program, which has over 100 partners in the form of philanthropic organizations, corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies. It helps Natives prepare for careers within the oil and gas industry, biology, conservation, and other technical fields. The Urban Institute has categorized ANSEP as one of the most successful STEM programs in the country, propelling 85 percent of graduates to STEM careers.

Read the full article here.

Source: Nonprofit Spotlight: Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program | Excellence in Philanthropy | The Philanthropy Roundtable

Workforce Wednesday: Careers in Behavioral Health for Rural Alaskans

The Rural Human Services program connects rural Alaskans to careers in healthcare and behavioral health. It’s a 32-credit program that is a part of the the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Rural Academic Pipeline. The program is offered in Anchorage, Bethel and the Kuskokwim campuses.

Annie Hopper, the program’s manager, said one aspect that’s unique to the program is it blends traditional Alaska Native values with Western education. As such, elders are a vital part of the program.

Martha Peck with the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium said there isn’t a shortage of jobs with approximately 171 clinics in rural Alaska. Those jobs include village-based counselors and prevention workers. Job seekers can expect a pay range from $15-$30 an hour, depending on education and experience. Hopper added that employees are needed throughout the state.

For more information on the Rural Human Services program and how to get started, head to its website. To learn about Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium, visit their website.

Watch the full video segment here.

Source: Workforce Wednesday: Careers in behavioral health for rural Alaskans | KTVA 11

Mat-Su Regional Health Center Hires First Apprentices

Mat-Su Regional Health Center Hires First Apprentices
Health care apprenticeships grow through multi-employer collaboration

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Mat-Su Regional Health Center has hired its first Registered Apprentices, who will work as Operating Room Technicians and Sterile Processing Technicians. Mat-Su Regional Health Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Regional Hospital, Alaska Surgery Center, and Alaska labor unions are collaborating to expand health care apprenticeships through the Alaska Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (AHCAC), which was established with grant support from the U.S. Department of Labor, in coordination with the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“Through these apprenticeships, Mat-Su Regional Hospital is building its own work force while creating more middle class jobs for Alaskans,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas.

“With apprenticeship, we are able to offer Alaska-grown opportunities for very difficult-to-recruit positions,” said Cathy Babuscio, Human Resources and Employee Health Director at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.

“Mat-Su Regional Health Center’s decision to utilize Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce solution is testament to the value of apprenticeship opportunities for employers. AHCAC looks forward to continuing the partnership between our organizations and demonstrating the benefits of our programs to health care providers throughout Alaska,” said Karli Lopez, Executive Director of the Alaska Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium.

Health care apprenticeships sponsored through the AHCAC (www.ahcac.net) include Surgical Technologist/Operating Room Technician, Sterile Processing Technician, Behavioral Health Aide, Community Health Worker, Medical Office Assistant, Clinical Medial Assistant, Medical Biller Coder, and Certified Clinical Chiropractic Assistant.

Registered Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with technical classroom instruction, and is designed to offer worker training based on the needs of employers. In Alaska, Registered Apprenticeship has long been the foundation of training in the construction industry. More recently, many large health care employers have started using Registered Apprenticeship.

View the original press release and photos at http://labor.alaska.gov/news/2017/news17-13.pdf

Source: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development – Press Release

Alaska Primary Care Association Launches Health Care Apprenticeships

JUNEAU, Alaska— The Alaska Primary Care Association, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and U.S. Department of Labor have signed standards of apprenticeship to start four new health care Registered Apprenticeship programs. The Registered Apprenticeships include Community Health Worker, Medical Administrative Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, and Medical Biller/Coder. This program is supported with federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Christian Health Associates, Bethel Family Clinic, Camai Community Health Center (Bristol Bay), Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments, Cross Road Health Ministries, Easter Aleutian Tribes, Girdwood Health Center, Interior Community Health Center, Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, and Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation have already identified Alaskans who are signing up as apprentices through the program.

“This represents a massive expansion of Registered Apprenticeship in the health care sector and in rural Alaska,” said Alaska Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “Community Health Workers and other health care professionals will help improve Alaskans’ health care while supporting cost effectiveness strategies identified in Senate Bill 74 and the Healthy Alaska Plan.”

“Registered Apprenticeship is part of the solution to Alaska’s health workforce shortages – and it’s a win-win-win for the apprentice, the practices, and the community. It’s a grow-your-own training strategy that improves the availability of quality care while controlling costs,” said Nancy Merriman, Executive Director of the Alaska Primary Care Association.

Registered Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with technical classroom instruction, and is designed to offer worker training based on the needs of the employers. Registered Apprenticeship programs directly contribute to higher rates of Alaska Hire and lower rates of unemployment. The number of Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors has increased 86% since 2000.

Alaskans interested in these health care Registered Apprenticeship opportunities should visit http://www.alaskapca.org/workforce.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development Press Release – February 2, 2017

New Apprenticeship programs Aim to Train Alaska Workers Amid a Tough Job Market

The state is expected to see another year of job losses. But some fields are embarking on new training programs.

The Alaska Air Carriers Association is developing new apprenticeships for future pilots and mechanics. The Alaska Primary Care Association wants to train people to be health workers, medical billers or medical assistants. Alaska Native corporation Calista Corp. just announced a new maritime apprenticeship program.

The hope is that they’ll be able to help steer some Alaskans into areas where they might be able to find careers, despite the state’s economic downturn.

Read the full article here.

Source: New apprenticeship programs aim to train Alaska workers amid a tough job market – Alaska Dispatch News