NHA News Center

Higher education was a hot topic during the month of March as stakeholders across the education sector engaged in rigorous advocacy and political outreach The data across this sector highlights sensitivity around educational preparedness and workplace rediness with only a third of students believing they will graduate with the skills and knowledge to be successful in the job market (34%) and in the workplace (36%).

In addition to discussions around education, there is continued excitement around advancing the roles of allied health professionals in fields like medical assisting and pharmacy tech. This month I had the opportunity to attend and speak on an industry panel discussing how pharmacy technicians are being seen as the back-bone of our pharmacies and the need for awareness around the topic.

NHA is in the process of launching our TEAM Based Care™ Assessment Based Certificate Program. This is an online learning and assessment tool for team-based and coordinated care teams that includes a psychometrically sound exam to prove competency. It was created to unite care teams, while empowering professionals within each role to work to the top of their credentials.

February is CTE Month®, a time to bring recognition and awareness to the impact Career and Technical Education has on the lives of so many hospitals, patients, teachers and students. NHA is happy to support the efforts of so many and to provide not just credentials but empower people to thrive. Check out additional ways that CTE is being recognized this month.

The middle skill economy was also discussed this month as both the Higher Education Act and Perkin’s Reauthorization is still being debated on Capital Hill. By identifying job market needs and providing programming aimed at helping to retool the skill sets required for middle-skill jobs, universities and colleges can help middle-skilled workers increase their earning potential while cashing in on a lucrative new revenue stream.

What does the future of healthcare look like as e-commerce giants such as Amazon look to disrupt the healthcare industry at an attempt to lower health cost at a time when they are forecasting that healthcare cost will represent 19.7% of the economy by 2026, up from 17.9% in 2016.

A new year is  in full swing, with healthcare and education already being discussed heavily within the  regulatory space and the private sector. These conversations leave us with a few questions:

• What major changes will we see in these two sectors?
• How will regulatory decisions impact how individuals receive both care and education?

Healthcare has taken over as the largest source of jobs in the U.S. and it’s just the beginning. Of the 10 jobs that the Bureau of Labor Statistics project will see the fastest percent growth in the next decade, five are in healthcare and elderly assistance. Unfortunately, this take over comes at a time when we continue to see dissatisfaction and shortages among primary care providers.

The Higher Education Act and reauthorization of Perkin’s funds for the career and technical education space are currently on the legislative docket; both of which could impact the future of America’s workforce. Will the importance of earning industry recognized credentials gradually decline, or will they rise to the top and be key indicators of professional competency?

Only time will tell.

As the holiday season is in full swing, value based care remains a hot topic. Many organizations -especially entities like CVS -are working to connect its importance to public health, as healthier individuals make healthier communities. Regardless of the confusion in federal healthcare regulation, the underlying principles are simple: provide good care and do it at as low a cost as possible.

Louisiana professionals will have another certification option in growing field. 

LEAWOOD, Kan. (December 12, 2017) – The state of Louisiana has approved the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT®) as a certification meeting the professional requirements of this growing field. Prior to the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy (the Board) approving the ExCPT on November 15, the state recognized only one certification program. 

Many healthcare organizations are aiming to create patient-centered environments, focusing on the patient while simultaneously providing improved health care. Federal regulations are also pushing for a value-based system, and new practitioners are needing to be educated on the importance of quality measurements, care coordination and population heath management to see success in their practices.

National Healthcareer Association (NHA) started with a modest, albeit ambitious goal to grow and re-position itself within the pharmacy market. What started as a small, grassroots effort eventually led to the creation and evolution of a small committee helping to achieve goals, establish success and create deeper, more meaningful relationships within the pharmacy technician industry.

NHA strongly believes in being advocates for the professions it serves, but recognizes this won’t happen without a little help. As a result, NHA certification and advisory boards have been established.

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy recently updated its rules regarding pharmacy technicians. Ohio will recognize three types of technician registrations: certified, registered, and pharmacy technician trainees. Per Ohio law, all pharmacy technicians practicing in Ohio must be registered with the Board by April 6, 2018.  The Board has begun accepting pharmacy technician registration applications and recommends that techs should submit their applications well before April 6.

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).

September was a month focused on higher education and the shift in for-profit to non-profit realignment, the need for flexibility and to be directly aligned with employer-defined skills.

Academic institutions must recognize a gap in the development of students’ critical thinking. To combat this, educators can take on the role of coach or mentor who can assist students in understanding how to successfully evaluate and process information.

There are also critical shifts happening within the healthcare sector. Teleheath and the use of technology is finding its way in as a valuable tool in many areas. Read more below on September’s most relevant healthcare news impacting our partners as well as the professions we serve.