NHA has recently been hosting roundtable discussions with allied health educators and large employers of medical assistants across the country. We have discovered opportunities to work more closely, share information and create feedback loops to support allied health educators, students and their future employers.  

It's graduation season and we are thrilled to share some of the exciting successes that #NHAcertified students and professionals have had during and after their Career and Technical Education (CTE) run program. To date, NHA has certified over 68,000 CTE students but the benefits of certification go far beyond graduation. 

It’s widely known that across the United States, our communities face a health epidemic of chronic disease; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60% of adults have one chronic disease, with 40% facing two or more. This epidemic, which impacts longevity, quality of life and the cost of healthcare, demands leadership and learning to help identify and deliver the care our communities deserve.

We are passionate about keeping our materials and certifications relevant and meaningful to help empower allied health professionals to reach their career goals, and ultimately, help them provide better care. Before we made the recent updates to NHA's Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam, we spoke to employers and current patient care technicians, and would like to share some of the information and insights we discovered. Knowledge is power, and we hope this information will help you — whether you have patient care technicians on your team or are helping guide future patient care technicians on their educational journey.

Allied health professionals, which make up more than 60% of the healthcare industry workforce, play a critical and often behind-the-scenes role in caring for patients and ensuring that the flow of patients operates efficiently within healthcare institutions. Our communities depend on well-trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, quality care for patients, but currently, most communities across the United States are experiencing a shortage in the workforce.

Nearly 18 years ago as a teenager, Jamie Bornt began working as a cashier at her local Hannaford grocery store. Over time she earned a promotion to manage the customer service department, where she excelled in meeting the needs of customers. As a star employee, Bornt’s talent and demeanor caught the attention of the store’s pharmacy manager.

Contributors: Kim Doerflinger, Antrea Dowd, Elizabeth Thompson, Julie Walters and Davene Yankle, MS-HSM, BSN, CCRN

Contributors: Glenn Albright, Ph.D. and Ron Goldman

After completing intensive training, a hospital corpsman takes a pledge that says they will hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust. This pledge isn’t taken lightly, and becomes ingrained in those who dedicate their military career to providing medical care to those in need. 

Contributor: Janet Rapuano, Ph.D.

How High School Students are Entering Healthcare Careers Earlier and More Prepared

CTE in the community

Across the United States, communities watch with pride as high school graduates walk across the stage and then into career opportunities. Many of these career and technical education (CTE) graduates earned not only their high school diplomas, but also received hands-on experience and education toward a specific career path. Often, students who choose a health sciences track within their CTE program can graduate with one or more allied health credential, providing them with a direct path to employment. These students and their communities are reaping the benefits of their achievements.   

After working as a medical assistant for nearly 30 years, LeAnn Thorne, CCMA, sought career advancement by earning industry credentials — and she didn’t let a brain tumor diagnosis stop her.