Workforce Training And Consultation
Training
The National Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements (NCAs) provide free training and technical assistance that is data driven, cutting edge and focused on quality and operational improvement to support health centers and look-alikes. Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC, Inc.) and its Weitzman Institute specialize in providing education and training to interested health centers in Transforming Teams and Training the Next Generation.
The Weitzman Institute’s Quality Improvement approach represents a unique, state of the art methodology that combines elements from a variety of sources to meet the various quality improvement needs of other healthcare organizations. To help health centers meet those needs, the Weitzman Institute’s (WI) Quality Improvement experts will provide targeted training and education.
Quality Improvement Education
The Weitzman Institute’s Quality Improvement approach represents a unique, state of the art methodology that combines elements from a variety of sources to meet the various quality improvement needs of other healthcare organizations. To help health centers meet those needs, the Weitzman Institute’s (WI) Quality Improvement experts will provide targeted training and education.
How we help healthcare organizations
The Weitzman Institute’s dedicated staff of quality improvement experts teach clients to facilitate effective meetings, engage stakeholders in improvement efforts, apply strategic change management methodologies, create a quality improvement culture and ensure quality outcomes through key data strategies.
Experience, Knowledge and best-practice standards
WI combines education, research and applied experience in the field to conduct appropriate gap analyses between current state practices and best practice standards, while utilizing strategic tools to engage improvement teams in developing new streamlined processes as well as using the WI quality library of resources.
Education and Coaching
WI experts coach, guide and teach identified quality initiative leaders with a hands-on train-the-trainer approach. WI experts educate participants on how to address challenging team dynamics, key process failures and how to evaluate processes and performance measures. The WI team will teach organizations to foster engagement in quality improvement initiatives, help teams to clearly define goals and roles as well as how to document and define process improvement implementations, and engage staff in change management.
Quality Outcomes
The WI team will assist and coach organizations on how to target specific clinical outcomes and identify any variations which could compromise quality. WI experts focus on teaching participants how to create new streamlined processes which reduce waste and variation while collecting and monitoring meaningful, actionable data.
Leadership Connection
Change is hard for any organization. However, leaders can create an environment and culture which helps to support and sustain a strong QI infrastructure that is ready for change. This type of session educates and connects leaders to a way of thinking strategically about quality improvement and support of QI initiatives. This connection is bridged through various pathways including; Performance Improvement Committee meetings, communications within all site meetings and other opportunities to share tools and methods that support improvement efforts, promote a positive QI environment, encourage continuous improvement, and overcome organizational resistance to change.
Quality Improvement Training Overview
Course Overview
Based on an initial needs assessment, Weitzman Institute will identify and recommend specific topics areas for the training curriculum which could include: Development of a QI Coaching model, Facilitation Skills, How to Build and Sustain High Performing Teams, Engaging Leadership, Change Management, Lean, Clinical Microsystems*, Data Analysis, Communication Strategies, How Leaders Can Support QI Efforts and more. Our training team will combine the right modules in order to provide a dynamic curriculum that will help organizations build or further develop a strong quality improvement culture. All concepts taught in this program are utilized within our own Community Health Center, Inc., and as we continuously improve our own quality culture, we share real time examples and concepts to demonstrate successes as well as challenges we have faced and overcome.
Program and Curriculum
- Created by primary care for primary care
- Sessions are taught entirely by expert faculty from Community Health Center, Inc.’s Weitzman Quality Institute
- Customizable curriculum to suit the needs of any practice
- Audience can vary to include Leaders, Change Agents, Coaches, Facilitators, etc.
- Virtual training and face-to-face options
Fully trained participants will be equipped with the proper tools to:
- Run effective meetings
- Develop high performing teams
- Facilitate group processes
- Manage conflict
- Apply QI principles to practice
- Lead QI teams
- Effectively support QI initiatives
- Add structure to communication, documentation and data analysis to QI initiatives
Course Objectives
To provide training in a comprehensive quality improvement model to individuals who will be actively engaged in improvement efforts at all levels of a healthcare organization.
*Nelson EC, Batalden PB, Godfrey MM. Quality by design: A clinical microsystems approach. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 2007.
About UpSkillNIMAA
How does it work?
UpSkillMA provides practicing Medical Assistants with next level training and expertise to excel in high-performing Primary Care teams. Participants learn at their own pace through an online platform that is user friendly, secure and HIPAA Compliant. Participants can be enrolled in scheduled cohorts with an instructor (click here for 2021 dates) or the course can be taken on-demand for more flexibility.
There are currently five courses offered by UpSkillMA that can be taken separately or in a recommended sequence. Participants earn a certificate of completion by demonstrating mastery of each course’s key objectives. Coursework includes quizzes, video lessons and written material developed by experts in the field. All courses have an assigned instructor that is a subject matter expert who engages participants in critical thinking throughout the course. Participants also engage with their peers who are participating in the course at the same time as them.
How will UpSkillMA benefit my health center?
Your Medical Assistants will…
- Have an enhanced ability to function as fully integrated members of high-performing care teams
- Strengthen essential interpersonal skills in a clinical environment
- Have an enhanced ability to work at the top of their MA certification
We are now proud to offer two different options for our courses.
| Course type | Instructor-Led | Self-Paced |
| Dates | Fixed start and end date – Click Here For Current Schedule | Register at any time; receive login within 24 business hours of registration |
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Interprofessional Team-Based Care:
This course is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of existing health professionals (especially medical assistants) in the way primary care is transforming to focus on interprofessional team-based care.
The primary goals of the course are to:
- Provide a deep appreciation and understanding of the concept of team-based care.
- Build the relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes for working as a medical assistant on an interprofessional team.
Quality Improvement and Making the Data Count:
This course is designed to provide an appreciation for and understanding of the concepts related to quality improvement (QI) in healthcare. Learners will build the relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make data count in delivering high quality primary care as a medical assistant on an interprofessional team.
The primary goals of this course are to:
- Provide an appreciation and understanding of the concept related to quality improvement in health care.
- Build the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes for working as a medical assistant on an interprofessional team to make data count.
Immunizations:
This course is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of existing health professionals (especially medical assistants) in the way a robust immunization program can strengthen the immunity of the participant’s community.
The primary goals of this course are to:
- Provide a deep appreciation and understanding of immunizations.
- Build the relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes for working as a medical assistant with a high functioning immunization program.
Professionalism and Effective Communication:
This course describes the key aspects of professionalism and the role of effective communication for medical assistants; and how to apply these concepts into practice.
The primary goals of this course are to:
- Describe professionalism and its importance for medical assistants.
- Describe methods and approaches for effective communication for medical assistants.
- Discuss legal and ethical implications that impact medical assistants.
Run Charts (2 hours/ $60):
This is a short course dedicated to introducing the concept of run charts including some basic statistical analysis and its context within practice transformation or quality improvement initiatives. Participants are also provided with a ready-to-use Excel template containing all of the necessary tools to generate a run chart using data from their own practice.
The primary goals of this course are to:
- Describe the two types of variation and actions to take for each type
- Describe the elements of a run chart
- Analyze a run chart for the three non-random variation patterns
- Interpret a run chart based on the pattern of variation present and recommend a course of action informed by these results
Upcoming Course Schedule
The scheduled courses for the second quarter of 2021 are listed below. Need a flexible start date? Click Here to register for our on-demand offerings instead.
| Course | Start Dates | Course Duration | Prerequisite |
| Interprofessional Team-Based Care | April 12 | 12 hours over 10 weeks | None |
| Immunizations | April 12 | 10 hours over 10 weeks | None |
| Quality Improvement and Making the Data Count * | April 12 | 10 hours over 10 weeks | None |
| Professionalism and Effective Communication* | April 12 | 9 hours over 9 weeks | None |
| Run Charts | April 12 | 2 weeks | None |
*Interprofessional Team-Based Care is a recommended – but not required – pre-requisite course.
Courses In Development – Coming in 2021
Care coordination:
Participants will review the roles of an interdisciplinary medical team, how to coordinate and support transitions between team members, and how patient advocacy, engagement, and education fit into the continuity of care.
Telehealth:
Participants will review the role of MAs within telehealth, see example workflows from an FQHC that were developed in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Participants will also review key communication, administrative, and care coordination skills in the context of a telehealth visit.
Introduction to Health Coaching:
Participants will build an understanding of the role of health coaching in an advanced primary –care practice, and identify typical ways that health coaching is incorporated in the role of Medical Assistant.
UpSkillMA courses are priced at $20/contact hour, a price competitive with other Medical Assistant continuing education courses. The price per course is determined by the total number of hours in the course:
| Course | Course Hours | Cost per participant |
| Interprofessional Team-Based Care | 12 hours | $240 |
| Immunizations | 10 hours | $200 |
| Quality Improvement and Making Data Count | 10 hours | $200 |
Professionalism and Effective Communication | 9 hours | $180 |
Introduction to Run Charts | 2 hours | $40 |
If participants successfully meet the requirements for completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Weitzman Institute.
UpSkillMA courses provide contact hours that can count toward CMA (AAMA) and CCMA (NHA) recertification requirements.
Participants will:
- Access the course through our dedicated learning platform
- Spend approximately one hour per session on the following activities:
- Completing a brief assessment at the beginning of each session. Thsi healps measure existing knowledge
- Engaging with the subject matter. Plan for about half of each session to be spent on audio/video contnet. The collaterla for each session (readings, slides, etc.) can be downloaded at any time. Additionally, courses have addition subject-specific activities and tools to help participants apply concepts in-clinic.
- Reviewing important concepts and vocabulary with optional flashcards.
- Completing a graded knowledge assessment at the end of each session.
Both! We now offer two different options for some of our courses:
| Course type | Instructor-Led | Self-Paced |
| Dates | Fixed start and end date – click here for current schedule | Register at any time; receive login within 24 business hours of registration |
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| Courses Available in this Format |
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This course is graded as pass/fail. A passing grade requires participation in each session of the course. In addition, participants must complete the following to receive a passing grade :
- Complete the pre-session knowledge assessment in each session.
- View the session content in each session.
- Complete the session activity in a satisfactory manner based on the grading rubric in each session.
- Complete the post-session knowledge assessment in each session and achieve a cumulative grade of 70% or higher across all sessions in one course.
Managers will get a progress update when the course is halfway finished as well a completion report at the end. The UpskillNIMAA program coordinator can also be contacted at any time with questions or concerns.
To be able to access and complete all the required course items, all participants are expected to have access to a personal computer meeting the specifications below. Our learning platform can also be accessed on smartphones (iOS and Android), but we recommend using a full-size device.
Minimum Hardware Requirements:
- Personal computers should be five years old or newer, when possible
- 2.4 GHz or faster processor
- 4 GB or more of RAM
- 300 GB or larger hard drive
- 500MB or better video card capable of 1920×1080 resolution or higher
- Sound card with speakers (or headphones) and microphone
- Monitor/display capable of 800×600 dpi with 256 colors
Highly Recommended:
- Printer
- USB mass-storage device
Minimum Software Requirements:
- Operating Systems (one of the following):
- Windows 7 and newer
- Mac OS X 10.6 and newer
- Linux – Chrome OS
- Supported browsers: We recommend a current version of Chrome or Safari. Firefox or Microsoft Edge are acceptable, and we do not recommend using Internet Explorer.
- Internet Speed:
- Bandwidth of 512 Kbps (i.e. basic DSL) minimum
- Bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps minimum to support good video streaming
- Unrestricted access to Vimeo – if participants are accessing the content in-clinic, please be aware that we embed most of our videos on Vimeo; ask your IT to whitelist the site.
Yes! Leadership from a health center/clinic may register and pay for multiple participants. In fact, we have heard from leadership and participants that having several staff from an organization participate in a course together enriches the experience because the group can discuss how concepts apply to their current patients and specific workflows.
UpSkill courses are developed with MAs in mind, and draw directly on the experience of medical assistants. The course content can, however, be relevant for other members of the care team. For cross-team training, we recommend Interprofessional Team-Based Care and Professionalism & Effective Communication. We have also had supervisors take our courses to better understand what their MA staff are learning and how it could be applied.
These courses are designed for medical assistants who are already working in the field. Please visit NIMAA.org for information about the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement’s program that prepares students to become medical assistants with the same innovative, team-based care focus as UpSkill.
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as the organization responsible for The National Training and Technical Assistance Partnership (NTTAP) on Clinical Workforce Development, Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) and its Weitzman Institute provides a model of free technical and training assistance to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the United States. This free training and technical assistance is data driven, cutting edge and focused on quality and operational improvement to support health centers and look-alikes. CHC and its Weitzman Institute specialize in providing education and training to interested health centers in Transforming Teams and Training the Next Generation through
(1) National Webinars
(2) Activity Sessions for groups of health centers in which CHC will provide guidance and consulting on specific topics related to FQHCs’ objectives
(3) Learning Collaboratives with intensive coaching designed to efficiently move participating FQHC’s from planning to implmenetation of replicable models.
CHC’s NTTAP will provide free T/TA to FQHCs in the following priority areas:
1) Developing highly trained clinical care teams that will increase access to COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE services
2) Responding to HRSA’s plan for ending the HIV epidemic by addressing the emerging issue of HIV PREVENTION
3) Developing sustainable models for HEALTH PROFESSIONS TRAINING
4) Establishing POSTGRADUATE RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS
5) Enhancing and advancing a model of high performing TEAM BASED CARE in FQHCs
National Learning Library
CHC has curated a series of resources, including webinars to support your health center through education, assistance and training.
If you would like more information on the Weitzman Institute’s free resources to address coronavirus, please visit our website at weitzmaninstitute.
To learn more about the NCA and it’s programs or to request T/TA fom CHC, Inc. you can reach out to us at [email protected] or at:
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Project Director/Co-PI Amanda Schiessl |
Project Manager Bianca Flowers |
Project Specialist Meaghan Angers |
Learning Collaboratives
Weitzman Institute’s learning collaboratives are designed to efficiently move participating FQHCs from planning to implementation of replicable models.