October is an important month as we celebrate frontline healthcare workers in two of NHA’s key professions – medical assistants during MA Week (October 16-20) and pharmacy techs for National Pharmacy Technician Day (October 17).
Medical assistants are often times the first point of contact for patients. We know that due to changes in the profession, MAs are being asked to do more than ever before and are thankful for the care they provide. Pharmacy techs were also recognized this month. The care that they deliver helps change lives and we thank them for their passion and dedication to the industry as well as the people they serve. We are excited to look ahead to November as the celebration continues with Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Week. AHP Week celebrates those healthcare individuals who play such a vital role in patient care, and who might be under-recognized for the many roles they play.
3 reasons why it’s a great time to be an MA
As the healthcare field grows and changes, the role of the medical assistant has grown, too - there are more and more MAs working on healthcare teams, and the scope of work for medical assistants has grown. Here are some reasons why it’s a great time to be an MA.
Find out the top reasons on our blog >
Ask an expert: health career & insights from Michelle Heller, CMA
No matter where you are in your allied health career, my friend and colleague Michelle Heller, CMA, has some insights that could help you on your path.
Reflections as an Allied Health Professional
In this post I reflect on my nearly 20-year career as a clinician and healthcare professional and the many individuals and families I helped care for during their time of medical uncertainty. These reflections are why I so desperately wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Enjoy.
Just one more way Pharmacy Technicians are Making a Difference
In honor of this month’s National Pharmacy Technician Day, NHA wants to highlight one more way pharmacy technicians are making a difference in their pharmacies and communities. Pharmacy technician roles have evolved and techs have embraced many new opportunities and even excelled in them. Whether performing medication therapy management (MTM) duties or compounding, techs are an important part of the day-to-day functions of all pharmacies, helping to improve patient safety and quality of life.
Why We Desperately Need To Bring Back Vocational Training In Schools
Throughout most of U.S. history, American high school students were routinely taught vocational and job-ready skills along with the three Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. But in the 1950s, a different philosophy emerged: the theory that students should follow separate educational tracks according to ability. However, ability tracking did not sit well with educators or parents, so instead the focus shifted to preparing all students for college, with college prep still the center of the U.S. high school curriculum. The latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that about 68% of high school students attend college. This means over 30% graduate with neither academic nor job skills.
Read the full story from Forbes.com >
New Data Explore Adults’ Nondegree Credentials
Despite a national interest in nondegree credentials—like postsecondary certificates, occupational certifications, and occupational licenses—there hasn’t been comprehensive, national data on these programs. However, a new report from NCES fills this gap using data from their new Adult Training and Education Survey (ATES).
This data shows that 27 percent of adults have a nondegree credential and that 21 percent have completed a work experience program (such as an apprenticeship or internship).
College Grads: What No One Is Telling You About Getting Hired
U.S. colleges and universities are expected to soon award 1,018,000 associate degrees and 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There are tons of grads vying to be hired. Sadly, many college graduates lack both practical work experience as well as soft skills. These are the crucial people-skills you need to land a job, be part of and work on a team as well as navigate the day-to-day rigors of a modern workplace.