Sumner Newsletter - Summer 2021

Summer 2021 Edition Issue #12 8338 NE Alderwood Rd. Portland, OR 97220

Contents Calendar Events Page 2 Student of the Month Page 4 Graduates Placed Page 5 Student Success Stories Page 7 MedClub Information Page 8 The Future and the Nursing Profession Page 9 Columbia Employee Store Access Page 11 The Role of Medical Assistants Article Page 12 Sumner Staff Directory Page 15 Newest Members of the Sumner Team Page 18

UMMER

6,945 Job Postings in the Portland Area in June, 2021 MEDICAL ASSISTING POSITIONS IN THE AREA

Source: www.careeronestop.org CLICK HERE to see the current list

Medical Assistants Percent Change in Employment Projected 2019-29 Source: www.bls.gov

Medical Assistants All Other Occupations

19%

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 1

See Page 11 for Exclusive access!

July 7th thru 9th

July SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI

SAT

INDEPENCE DAY OBSERVED

MEMORIAL DAY MAKEUP

Break

12 EXCLUSIVELY FOR: Sumner College ITEMS ARE MARKED WITH EMPLOYEE PRICING: 40-50% BELOW RETAIL COLUMBIA IS DEDICATED TO THE SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND SHOPPERS CUSTOMERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR OWN FACE COVERINGS TO WEAR WHILE SHOPPING 13 14 15 16 TERM START

Columbia Employee Store Pass Ends (See Page 11)

25 VALID DATES 06/25/2021 - 07/18/2021 VALID FOR YOU + 4 GUESTS 26

WHAT TO BRING

LOCATION & HOURS 14100 NW SCIENCE PARK DR

29 COVID-19 RESPONSE · Sanitization of Checkouts · Sanitization of Fitting Rooms · Hand Sanitizer Stations · 6’ Marked Checkout Lines · Limited In-Store Customers · Employee Face Coverings

27 · THIS INVITATION · PHOTO I.D. · PROOF OF AFFILIATION

PORTLAND, OR 97229 MON - FRI: 10A - 8P SAT - SUN: 9A - 8P Open 4 th of July: 9a – 5p

umner Graduate Success Story Joshua, RN

Joshua was working as a CNA completing his pre-recs. Sumner gave him the opportunity to get started on his career faster than other programs. He is now employed as an RN COVID Screener working for the Judge Staffing Group. Questions? Please email: portlandemployeestore@columbia.com Valid for you and up to 4 guests for multiple visits during your invite period. Columbia reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time. Please present this original invitation to the receptionist for entry and again at checkout. This invitation is non-transferable. You must be present during shopping. The products purchased are intended solely for the buyer’s own personal use, including gifts to others. Resale of products is strictly prohibited. Offe may not be combined with any ther offer or discount. Valid from dates listed above. ©20 21 Columbia Brands USA, LLC.

2 SUMNER COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

Class of 2021

Thank you for sharing your photos with us! Frank, Lilian, Kadija, Rhoda, Lucy, and Robert

Join the Community! Read more on Page 7 Sumner MedClub

Our purpose as a club is to provide a bond and unified spirit among students preparing for a

Collaboration, exploration of patient care, community outreach, making a differ- ence in a shining way.

career in the medical field.

Email studentservices@sumnercollege.edu

Tumbler & Mug: $12

Sports Pullover: $35

TUDENT TORE Visit our On-Campus

Sumner Fleece : $35

Rolling Backpack: $55

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 3

Student of the Month NURSE: Just another word to describe a person strong enough to tolerate everything and soft enough to understand everyone. The Sumner Student of the Month award is selected by staff and faculty by popular vote based on the students’ characteristics such as reliability, professionalism, and positive attitude. Some of the characteristics and comments shared by the faculty and staff at the College on why the student was selected as Student of the Month are listed in italics.

April

A professional who sets goals and achieves them. Creative problem solving and attention-to-detail skills! Punctual, professional and a really hard worker. Contributed a lot to both lecture and lab classes.

Ka Yeon “Amerla”, MA

May

Kyle’s determination to do his best in all areas will cer- tainly make a positive impact on the patients he serves. Kyle’s kindness & compassion shine! He is always supportive of his classmates. Amazing GPA and planning on earning his BSN.

Kyle, PN

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Dream it.

Recently Placed Graduates

Associates Degree in Nursing Solomia PeaceHealth - SW Medical Center Jasmine Avamere Lake Oswego Haley East Portland Surgery Center Nicholas Village Healthcare Viktoriya Mirabella Viktoriya Prestige Camas Thomas Oregon State Hospital Courtney DaVita Oregon Kidney Center Lorraine Salem Hospital Axell Cedar Hills Hospital Coralyn Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland Basil PeaceHealth Aniqa Good Samaritan

Joshua David Brittney Alicia Rhoda Jenifer Tom Christian Jezreel Matt

Vibra Specialty PeaceHealth

Correctional Health Partners

Salem Health

Timpanogos Regional Medical Center

Skagit Regional Health

Vibra Specialty PeaceHealth

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

Kaiser Permanente

Mara Ashley Cody Rachel

Salem Clinic

Vibra Specialty Hospital Vibra Specialty Hospital Pioneer Memorial Hospital

Practical Nursing

Aaron

Fresenius Kidney Care Brookdale Senior Living The Hampton & Ashley Inn

Oksana Susana Alyssa Hailey Mohamed Heather Rachelle Margo

COVID Clinic COVID Clinic

Courtanie Rebecca

Village Healthcare Avamere Hillsboro

Twila Dawn

Avamere Hillsboro

Manor Care

Clearwater Springs Assisted Living Fort Vancouver Post Acute

Savanna Mark Beth Daniel Kristina

Avamere-King City Monte Nido & Afiliates Quail Crest Memory Care

Village Healthcare Village Healthcare

John Atherton

Terez

Private Client

Royal Gardens Health and Rehab

Elizabeth

Fircrest Residential Rehab Bethany of the Northwest Lifeline Connections

Cari

Staffers LLC

Frank

Cheyenne

Van Vista Assisted Living Nova Urgent Care Naphcare - Clackamas The Springs Living

Genevieve

Amy Ryan Barry Anna Kylee Alyssa Purity

Tyler

Clark County Jail

Corrina Brittany

Vancouver Specialty & Rehab Americal Behavioral Health Systems

Charles RH Op Foster Care, LLC

Ane

Manor Care Manor Care

The Vancouver Clinic

Madeline Robert Shauna Michelle

Samantha

Canterbury Inn

Western State Hospital

Mt. Medical Urgent Care Fedelta Home Care

Casa Adobes Post Acute Rehab Northwest Royal Home Care

Yitagesu

Cascade Inn

Alyssa

Private Client

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 5

Recently Placed Graduates...

Continued

Practical Nursing Andrey

Regency Gresham The Vancouver Clinic

Madelynn

Tiffany

CSL Plasma

Ruth Shari

Life Care Center of Federal Way Umpqua Valley Nursing & Rehab Score Jail - South Correctional West Hills Health & Rehab Richland Rehab Center Avamere-Laurelhurst VA Veteran’s Home Lebanon Northwest Royal Home Care Providence - St. Peter Hospital

Brittany Amanda Mabel Mariel Lorraine Amber Anne Marie

Lindy

Avamere - The Pearl Nova Urgent Care

Morgan Courtney Damian Christine Carmen Kenneth

Avamere Ro Health

Fort Vancouver Post Acute Empres - Hillsboro Western State Hospital

Medical Assisting Nicolette

Clackamas County Health Clinic

Catherine

The Portland Clinic Fanno Creek Clinic The Vancouver Clinic The Vancouver Clinic Metropolitan Pediatrics

Bao

Fabiana Julianne Breann Cindy Jessica Stacia

Med-X Staffing PeaceHealth

Congratulations!

The Vancouver Clinic

Jade

Adventist

Jennifer

Valley View Health Care

Janina, RN umner Graduate Success Story

Prior to starting on her journey to becoming an RN, Janina was a surgical technologist. She said, “when I see how people come into the OR with different problems/health issues that can be fixed, I get such joy to be able to be part of the healthcare team that helps them.” Sumner allowed her to still provide for her family while in school, and it was a real pleasure to be a part of the Sumner ADN group. She is now a Registered Nurse with Providence Willamette Falls!

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Join Us for Med Club!

What’s it all about… MedClub, short for Medical Club, is a student group for students like you who are passionate about the healthcare field and want to make a difference in the community. Our purpose as a club is to provide a bond and unified spirit among Sumner students preparing for a career in the medical field. We do this through exploration of patient care issues, participating in community/volunteer outreach and experiencing leadership and networking opportunities.

It’s student led: This means MedClub needs you! Be a part of the post-COVID-19 relaunch of MedClub. There are opportunities for being a nominated leader or just being a part of the community meetings and projects. (Leadership roles are open to any term 2 student; new students are invited to come to events.) It provides peer support: Input and support from family and faculty is great, and there’s something special about being in it together with peers. They know and understand what challenges you face. Participating in the Medical Club offers a place to exchange ideas, give back to our communities, and most importantly, give us a place to encourage and support one another. Medical Club key goals…  Increase awareness of real-time healthcare issues facing profession  Provide volunteer experiences for Sumner students/their families  Promote professions in the medical field  Create for idea exchange, meaningful discussion and creative expression  Cultivate teamwork and leadership skills (that get noticed by employers!) Ready to join MedClub? If you are interested in joining the Sumner College Medical Club, simply speak with a Student/Career Services Representative (studentservices@sumnercollege.edu)!

Request to join Medical Club group on facebook: Facebook.com/groups/sumnercollegemedicalclub

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 7

By Robert Nieves, JD, MBA, MPA, BSN, RN - January 7, 2021 https://www.elsevier.com/connect/what-does-2021-hold-for-nurses-and-the-nursing-profession

As the Year of the Nurse, 2020 coincided with a pandemic that touched the lives of virtually everyone on the planet. It also highlighted the critical role nurses play in the entire care ecosystem. The pandemic continues to burden our global healthcare systems and test the resolve of doctors, nurses and allied healthcare workers, who continue to provide the best care possible while risking their own wellbeing. But as we move into 2021, what does the future hold for nurses and the nursing profession? Having started my career as a nurse, I can only imagine the challenges nurses today have to overcome. As frontline workers, they are putting themselves at significant risk to care for patients. The ever-growing numbers are staggering, with over 85 million infections and nearly 2 million deaths. Leveraging our valuable but limited nursing resources Today, nurses represent the largest healthcare workforce in the system. We will need nearly 6 million additional nurses to ensure healthcare standards rise again after the pandemic, according to a 2020 report by the World Health Organization. The biggest shortage is in Southeast Asia. Developed nations face an additional challenge of an aging nursing workforce, with several countries in the American, European and Eastern Mediterranean regions excessively dependent on international nursing mobility. With the rise in healthcare needs and the global aging population, action is needed now to improve the capabilities of our nursing workforce and avoid a healthcare upheaval. When I started as a nurse a few decades ago, I realized that the nursing profession continually advances, with accountability resting on each nurse to contribute to professional excellence and career advancement. But what does it mean to truly be a transformative nursing leader? As an informaticist, my genuine passion lies in collaborating with healthcare organizations and colleagues across the globe to develop and advance clinical best practices with health information technology. When looking at nursing and the wider clinical team, technology is also an enabler. We have made significant progress in the last 200 years, buoyed by technology, yet there are still challenges ahead. Here are some of my reflections on how to push the nursing profession forward. What does the future hold for nurses and the nursing profession? 5 ways we can bolster the nursing profession for a future beyond Covid

1. Democratizing knowledge using technology: Adoption and Use

“The world, more especially this hospital world, is in such a hurry, moving so fast that it is too easy to slide into bad habits before we are aware.”

— Florence Nightingale

8 SUMNER COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

Looking back on the career of Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing, some of her quotes still convey the issues we are facing today. Implementing new technology in any health system must take into consideration the existing workflow to ensure it creates efficiencies. It’s crucial to make sure end-users, including nurses, are trained and equipped to use these technologies and incorporate them into everyday workflows. Successful project implementation should not be where things end, especially when adoption among end-users, including nurses, determines the longer lasting impacts of the project. High level adoption can be achieved when: 1. Nurses understand how technology is enabling them to better care for their patients by providing context relevant information. 2. Through clinical reasoning, this information is translated into meaningful clinical knowledge. 3. That knowledge is then put into action and used in decision-making to improve patient outcomes. 2. Democratizing knowledge using technology: Minimizing administra- tive/bureaucratic burden With the global shortage of nurses, it is critical to focus on building up the competencies of our existing nursing workforce to ensure nurses are working to their full potential. Healthcare organizations must make a concerted effort to design their technology systems in a way that does not overwhelm the care team with administrative tasks and bureaucratic stress. From my experience working with healthcare organizations, my recommendation is to first assess the existing systems to identify those tasks and documentation requirements that are typically high volume and, when combined, take up valuable clinical time. Following this assessment, organizations need to determine if those elements are relevant to the care of the patient. Making the decision to remove the ones deemed irrelevant or, at minimum, shifting them to non-clinical resources leads to much needed efficiencies and clinician satisfaction. 3. Democratizing knowledge using technology: Clinical Decision Sup- port (CDS) After implementing electronic health records (EHRs) with a well thought out process and adequate training, EHRs can become significant support systems for nurses. However, we are only scratching the surface of the enabling power of technology, which has the potential to support nurses beyond their day-to-day work and improve productivity. One of the missed opportunities I see when designing and implementing technologies such as an EHR is the ability to provide the right information to nurses to help them make better decisions at the point of care. Beyond the EHR, CDS tools are prime examples of how technology can democratize knowledge for nurses. When we focus on the adoption of evidence based CDS tools with the design intention of facilitating clinical decision making that is embedded into the everyday workflow, nurses can truly benefit from the technology. An example of this is the care planning process with built-in documentation being a requirement for every patient. Typically, organizations designing this workflow approach it from the perspective of compliance, which becomes a task with minimal value. My recommendation to healthcare organizations is to commence the care planning process with the intent of empowering nurses with ready access to actionable knowledge. By implementing a CDS mentality upfront, the system will be oriented towards reducing unwarranted variability and delivering safer, higher quality patient care. Over the years, certain countries have made concerted efforts to build the nursing profession into one that is highly respected, and they tend to attract more talent to join the workforce. This positive shift in the perception of nurses is taking place in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. In the US, nurses are not only involved in patient care, but are also accountable to provide a high standard of care that incorporates research and innovation. When nurses take on more responsibilities and leadership roles, they tend to feel appreciated and motivated to stay in the field. This helps to attract more talent to the workforce. On the contrary, in Latin America, the Middle East and other areas in Asia, nursing is not an aspirational profession. These regions lack provisions for advanced nursing education and training and have limited career progression pathways and a high turnover of skilled nurses. 4. Recognizing, respecting and investing in nurses to grow into trans- formative leadership roles

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 9

Investing in nurse education and upskilling can enhance competency management, which translates to increased productivity and improved health outcomes. This becomes even more important as we continue to develop a digitized workforce where digital literacy will remain a pertinent issue. Organizations investing in upskilling the digital capabilities of their nurses will see the benefits of improved efficiencies in the delivery of care. In the same vein, at the hospital management level, by encouraging nurses to venture into areas such as health data analytics, we can pivot to a more holistic, patient-centered and data driven approach to care.

5. Committing to supporting nurses in their mission to care

Having visited numerous hospitals across five continents, I have seen nursing leaders and their teams strive towards advancing the nursing profession while not losing sight of their fundamental mission to care for their patients. It is truly gratifying to witness their passion and advocacy for patient care that drives them in their daily work. Throughout history, nurses have always been the backbone of the health system. Their response to this pandemic has shown their value to the world. Leaders in healthcare today need to recognize nurses’ impact on our communities and their potential to drive meaningful change. It is a commitment we should all make to empower nurses in their mission to care. This year, Elsevier has committed to supporting nurses through the pandemic by providing virtual training and access to free healthcare resources. We strive to work with many healthcare leaders across the globe to elevate the role nurses play. We invite you to learn more about how Elsevier is supporting nurses’ mission to care: https://www.elsevier.com/en-in/clinical-solutions/nurses/nursing-2020

We want to celebrate each one of our students as they press through the challenges meeting them on the frontline of the

Healthcare field. Your exceptional dedication inspires us. Sumner College

��

MaKaeyla, LPN umner Graduate Success Story

MaKaeyla chose Sumner College to pursue her dream of nursing because it gave her the quick- est start to her education with all of the classes she needed built in. Now working as an LPN at OHSU, she plans to take her career to the next level!

10 SUMNER COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

EXCLUSIVELY FOR: Sumner College ITEMS ARE MARKED WITH EMPLOYEE PRICING: 40-50% BELOW RETAIL COLUMBIA IS DEDICATED TO THE SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND SHOPPERS CUSTOMERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR OWN FACE COVERINGS TO WEAR WHILE SHOPPING

VALID DATES 06/25/2021 - 07/18/2021 VALID FOR YOU + 4 GUESTS

WHAT TO BRING

LOCATION & HOURS 14100 NW SCIENCE PARK DR

COVID-19 RESPONSE · Sanitization of Checkouts · Sanitization of Fitting Rooms · Hand Sanitizer Stations · 6’ Marked Checkout Lines · Limited In-Store Customers · Employee Face Coverings

· THIS INVITATION · PHOTO I.D. · PROOF OF AFFILIATION

PORTLAND, OR 97229 MON - FRI: 10A - 8P SAT - SUN: 9A - 8P Open 4 th of July: 9a – 5p

Questions? Please email: portlandemployeestore@columbia.com Valid for you and up to 4 guests for multiple visits during your invite period. Columbia reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time. Please present this original invitation to the receptionist for entry and again at checkout. This invitation is non-transferable. You must be present during shopping. The products purchased are intended solely for the buyer’s own personal use, including gifts to others. Resale of products is strictly prohibited. Offer may not be combined with any other offer or discount. Valid from dates listed above. ©20 21 Columbia Brands USA, LLC.

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 11

https://info.nhanow.com/learning-leading-blog/the-role-of-medical-assistants-growth-opportunity-challenge National Healthcareer Association - June 2021

The Role of Medical Assistants: Growth, Opportunity & Challenge

The field of medical assisting is on an upswing. Job postings per medical assistant (MA) completion more than doubled between 2011 and 2014, and the faster-than-average employment growth is likely to continue over the next decade.1,2 Healthcare system redesign strategies, which encourage providers to work at the top of their licenses, are opening up opportunities for medical assistants to engage in higher-level responsibilities, driving greater job satisfactionamongst medical assistants working in these roles.3 And some healthcare employers are now offering signing bonuses and career laddering opportunities to attract and keep medical assistants in their organizations. Despite positive growth trends, there are some challenges that make this a pivotal moment for the profession.

Employment Outlook for Medical Assistants

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, which are expected to grow around seven percent.2 Not only are employment opportunities growing, but the number of MA completions is declining—further growing job opportunities for medical assistants. Davene Yankle, nurse manager of clinical development for the Ohio Health Physician’s Group, said her organization is seeing MA shortages. “We are seeing a shortage in both primary care practices (PCPs) and specialty practices. Due to shortages, specialty practices are using administrative assistants in place of MAs, and in orthopedics we are using athletic trainers in place of MAs. In PCP areas, we are hiring more LPNs when we can find them.” Pamala Smith, BSN, vice president chief nursing executive with Advocate Medical Group, said that they are also experiencing a shortage of medical assistants. “There are greater challenges in recruiting experienced medical assistants,” said Smith. While MA shortages are beneficial for those seeking employment, the shortages do create challenges for employers. What can employers do to both find and retaingood MAs?

Employers can often increase the number of MA candidates they receive by partnering with schools in the following areas:

Student mentoring programs

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Advisory panel participation

3. Performing mock interviews on students during capstone classes 4. Being an active participant in the school’s externship program

Partnering with an educational institution provides both students and employers with an opportunity to get to know each other and offers an edge to employer partners. Not only can employers increase their candidate pool, but they have an opportunity to interact with some of the program’s best candidates. When experience is essential, working with medical staffing organizations and posting openings on web advertising sites can be beneficial. Offering signing bonuses, competitive salaries and career laddering opportunities will increase the number and quality of applicants, and help in employee retention. Trends Affecting MA Job Growth The driver behind MA job growth – and the reason growth will continue–is an increased demand for access to care and industry trends which are changing the role of the MA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of 10 deaths each year and treating people with chronic disease accounts for 86 percent of our nation’s healthcare spending.10 In efforts to reduce health care spending, emerging payment models such as Value-Based Purchasing (pay for performance) offer providers financial incentives for meeting particular health measures and reducing healthcare costs.11 Greater access to care and early intervention is a central theme in value based care models, which places greater burdens on the healthcare team to see larger numbers of patients and to interact more with patients between visits. Increased Demand for Access to Care Trends requiring greater access to medical care include:

Innovations and new treatments

2. 3. 4.

An aging population

An increase in the numbers of patients with chronic diseases associated with obesity

The Affordable Care Act

Advances in treatments and technology are allowing patients to live longer and healthier lives. Survival rates for diseases like cancer and heart attacks have greatly improved. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer deaths fell 23% from its peak in 1991 to 2012.4 From 2003 to 2013 the death rate for coronary heart disease fell about 38%.5 The number of Americans over the age of 65 will increase by 17 million by 2025. Individuals over the age of 65 use much more healthcare than average — approximately three times that of a working-age person.1 Obesity is a major and growing problem that will increase the need for access to healthcare. The healthcare costs of obesity are expected to rise by $550 billion over the next two decades. More than one-third (34.9 percent or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are considered obese. By 2030, the problem is expected to be much worse: 42 percent of Americans will be obese, with 11 percent being severely obese (around 100 pounds overweight).6, 7 Obesity is a major contributor to chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. The Affordable Care Act has increased the need for access to healthcare and demand for services; 16.3 million Americans gained health insurance coverage from 2013 to 2015 .8,9 Though this act may be affected by the Trump administration, access to care will most likely be a priority issue in any replacement legislation. The Changing Role of the MA Almost all new trends in healthcare favor medical assistants as work shifts from higher-paid, higher- credentialed practitioners to lower-level, lower-cost practitioners, including the MA.1 Medical assistants have traditionally worked in support positions in ambulatory care environments, performing limited clinical and administrative tasks. However, theMA’s role is transitioning from a solo assistant to the provider to that of a highly valued, integral clinical team member. Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have adopted a team-based care (TBC) approach in response to new payment models. In these environments, teams made up of providers, nurse case managers, medical assistants and other allied health professionals work collaboratively to help patients meet health goals. Providers are often encouraged to work at the top of their license, freeing up providers to do tasks only they can do. In turn,a cascading “top-of-license” or “abilities” approach flows throughout the rest of the team – including medical assistants.

SUMMER 2021 EDITION 13

Examples of ways that medical assistants can work at the top of their credential include stepping into the role of a flow manager, running team huddles, preplanning patient visits and completing various health screenings. Some organizations are now considering their most experienced medical assistants for the roles of a scribe, health coach, patient navigator, population health manager and patient care coordinator. As medical assistants broaden their skill set, there will be significant pressure to perform at a higher level in the areas of professionalism, informatics and performing clinical tasks. Elizabeth Thompson, medical practice administrator, Indiana University Health – Southern Indiana Physicians, believes that professionalism amongst MAs is increasing as a result of expanded roles in her organization. “The expectations are higher, and medical assistants are meeting these. As medicine moves to be more Lean, medical assistants understand that their role is vital because they are not as expensive as LPN/ RNs, but very vital to making ambulatory patient care work well,” said Thompson.

A Time to Shine

This is a unique period for medical assistants. Job opportunities are surging and the role of the medical assistant is expanding.

However, it is also a time in which organizations are sizing up medical assistants. Many organizations that either haven’t used medical assistants in the past or haven’t used medical assistants in expanded roles are experimenting to see if medical assistants are a good fit for their company.

Conversely, due to MA staffing shortages, companies are also experimenting with using other healthcare professionals to fill roles.

How can medical assistants answer the call during this great time of opportunity? MAs must work on skills and traits that are valuable to employers and patients. Pamala Smith said essential traits for medical assistants include “excellent customer service which ties into patient safety, the ability to multitask, being proficient with the EMR, and having good time management, the ability to think critically, being a self-directed learner, and the ability to effectively hand off if asked to do something out of your scope.” Thompson agreed that modern MAs must show their worth on multiple levels. “MAs can show that they meet expectations by being reliable, thorough, safe, and in general, providing support through day-to-day patient care as well as specialized care, such as teaching, performing medication reconciliation, becoming an EMR super user and precepting,” she said. In conclusion, recognition of medical assistants is at an all- time high and the role of medical assistants is expanding. As we enter this new era of healthcare, now is the time for medical assistants to shine. Now is the time for medical assistants to demonstrate they are up for the challenge by exuding professionalism and being committed to helping patients achieve their healthcare goals. Now is the time for medical assistants to validate their knowledge by becoming certified and investing in continuing education opportunities. Now is the time to pave a better path and better salaries for future medical assistants by earning the gift of today’s open doors. References 1. The Medical Assisting Education Market Report, © Gray Associates September 2015. As seen in NHA’s whitepaper, Medical As- sisting: Opportunities and Requirements for Growth. 2. Medical Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.bls.gov/ ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6 3. HealthCare, P. Patient-centered medical home: The Evolving Role of the Medical Assistant. Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.partners.org/Innovation-And-Leadership/Population-Health-Management/Stories/Role-Medical-Assistant-Video. aspx 4. Simon, S. (2016, January 7). Cancer Statistics Report: Death Rate Down 23% in 21 Years. Retrieved fromwww.cancer.org/cancer/ news/cancer-statistics-report-death-rate-down-23-percent-in-21-years 5. A Sea Change in Treating Heart Attacks. The New York Times. (June 21, 2015). Retrieved from http://www.nytimes. com/2015/06/21/health/saving-heart-attack-victims-stat.html?_r=0 6. Prevalence of Obesity in the U.S., 2011-2012. Obesity. The Journal of The American Medical Association. Retrieved from http:// jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1832542 7. Linking Obesity and Health Care. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/ healthcare/news/2012/05/21/11514/linking-obesity-and-health-care 8. American Community Survey, Health Insurance Coverage Status, 1-Year Estimates 2009-2014. 9. National Health Interview Survey, Early Release Program. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/in- sur201511.pdf 10. CDC. (November 14, 2016). Chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Retrieved January 18, 2017 fromhttps://www.cdc. gov/chronicdisease/ 11. Collaborating for Value; A Winning Strategy for Health Plans and Providers in a Shared Risk Environment. (2016). Retrieved Jan- uary 18, 2017, from http://www.intersystems.com/assets/Winning_Strategy-_for_Health_Plans_and_Providers_in_a_Shared_Risk_ Environment.pdf

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Staff