Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition

Employers of Registered Nurses Invited to an Informational Session for the Health Care 20/20 Nurse Intern Program

snmic72 — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:13:15 +0000

SNMIC would like to invite all human resource, nursing and educational leaders to an informational session for the Health Care 20/20 Nurse Intern Program.

The session will be held on Nov. 18, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Clinical Simulation Lab located at 1001 Shadow Lane on the Corner of Charleston and Shadow Lane next to University Medical Center.

Learn about the design of this unique program, start dates and employer qualifications. On-the-job training agreements will be presented and SNMIC Health Care 20/20 staff members will be available for a question and answer session.

RSVP is required by Nov. 15. Please e-mail rsvp@snmic.com. Parking passes for the event will be mailed on Nov. 16.

Please forward this e-mail on to any health professionals that may benefit from the Health Care 20/20 program. You may also call 878-0001 for more information on the program.

Health Care 20/20 is a comprehensive and system-wide solution that delivers employers a well-trained workforce of nurses and allied health professionals by increasing workforce capacity through on-the-job and incumbent training programs, providing a reliable pipeline of workers to fill future entry-level jobs.

Directions to Clinical Simulation Lab (from Interstate 15):

1. Exit Charleston Blvd. West

2. Turn Right on Shadow Lane

3. Pass the gas station on the corner and you will see the UNLV SLC Marquee

4. At the Marquee, make a right on Hastings Avenue

5. Go East into the lot and park as approved

6. Clinical Simulation Entrance is on the East side of Building B

Workforce Connections awards SNMIC $750,000 grant

snmic72 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:25:36 +0000

Workforce Connections awarded the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition with its Career Advancement and Retention in Healthcare & Healthcare Information Technology grant on Sept. 28. The $750,000 grant, which runs from Oct. 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, will provide inventive workforce development partnerships that address the shortage of qualified workers in the key sectors of healthcare and healthcare IT.

To accomplish the goals of the grant, SNMIC will implement its Health Care 20/20 program, which will develop a sustainable healthcare workforce for Southern Nevada over the next decade. Health Care 20/20 is a comprehensive and system-wide solution that delivers employers a well-trained workforce of nurses and allied health professionals by increasing workforce capacity through on-the-job and incumbent training programs, providing a reliable pipeline of workers to fill future entry-level jobs.

“Health Care 20/20 furthers the mission of Workforce Connections to ‘develop a world-class workforce,” said Doug Geinzer, CEO for SNMIC. “Not only is this a workforce development plan; it is an economic diversification and development necessity for Nevada.”

Until Nevada improves the quality and quantity of the healthcare workforce, economic diversification cannot happen, Geinzer added.

“Companies interested in relocating or expanding to Southern Nevada do their research and discover we are at the top of all the bad lists and at the bottom of all the good lists,” he said. “If we can improve the quality of the workforce, access to quality healthcare will also improve, which will ultimately improve Nevada’s ability to diversify.”

To do this, SNMIC, using the grant, will pay 50 percent of the wages for 35 new nurses for their first 90 days of work creating a “no lose” situation for facilities hiring these new nurses. Through the grant, SNMIC will also deploy incumbent training programs to increase entry-level capacity; train replacement entry-level workers; build a career center to target disadvantaged and culturally diverse populations; and provide job readiness to new graduates of healthcare Information Technology programs.

“Healthcare facilities want to hire experienced nurses,” Geinzer said. “Through Healthcare 20/20 we are going to give them what they need while also helping new nurses get jobs. SNMIC also sees the long-term benefits of collaborating with educators, relevant agencies and employers to match the right health care professionals with the right employers at the individual and community level. Our partnership with Workforce Connections is an excellent fit.”

When applying for the grant, SNMIC received support letters from every hospital in Clark County, which, said Geinzer, demonstrates the importance of this workforce training grant and the level of confidence our area hospitals have in the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition.

SNMIC hopes to continue to grow the grant each year, helping an increasing number of people enter the health care profession, with the foundation of Health Care 20/20 built during this first year.

SNMIC welcomes Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce as Gold Sponsor

snmic72 — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:57:07 +0000

SNMIC is proud to announce that the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce has agreed to become a Gold Sponsor of the organization. The Chamber is an organization of business leaders who work to improve their community and the area’s business climate. The Chamber is governed by a board of trustees and a professional staff of more than 45 runs the day-to-day operations.

Funded primarily by member dues, the Chamber has a long history of representing the interests of business in public policy, and is the leading voice of business fighting to preserve and protect Nevada’s pro-business environment.

Founded in 1911, the Chamber’s primary objectives include:

Create an environment that promotes business, thereby strenghthening the community
Drive public policy on behalf of the business community
Achieve high levels of member satisfaction and loyalty
Continually improve the Chamber’s financial position
Operate the Chamber with excellence, innovation and efficiency in accordance with our values

SNMIC would like to thank the Las Vegas Chamber for supporting our organization and for your dedication to improving healthcare in Southern Nevada.

For more information on the Chamber, call 702-641-5822 or visit the website at www.lvchamber.com

Volunteers needed for American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign

snmic72 — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:51:57 +0000

The American Heart Association would like all SNMIC members and volunteers to join us for an hour meeting to discuss the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign, which celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association is trying to increase the number of volunteers associated with the campaign and at this meeting we will exploring individuals who have an interest in the health of women in Las Vegas and are inviting leaders within the community.

We have set up a meeting on Wednesday Oct. 27th at 9:00 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition office located at 101 Convention Center Dr., 7th Floor.

We understand that you are extremely busy but hope that you will be able to assist us in this important endeavor. Thanks to the participation of millions of people across the country, like yourself, the color red and the red dress now stand for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.

Thank you for your support of the American Heart Association.

Third Annual Nevada Health Care Forum to be held on October 12 at UnitedHealthcare Nevada

snmic72 — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:35:24 +0000

The Nevada Chapters of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), as well as the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC), Nevada Organization of Nurse Leaders (NONL) and Clark County Medical Society, cordially invite you to join us on Tuesday, October 12 for the third annual Nevada Health Care Forum.

The event will be held at UnitedHealthcare Nevada located at 2716 N. Tenaya Way in Las Vegas. Hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

This year’s symposium will focus on topics like the national impact of the healthcare reform on healthcare and Nevadans, fraud and abuse, wellness and disease management, quality in healthcare, healthcare information technology/systems, Medicare and Medicaid, and more. The program again will feature national and state leaders in the health care industry.

Building off of a successful first year, more than 270 healthcare industry executives and government leaders attended the second annual Nevada Health Care Forum last fall. The event was an overwhelming success with nineteen nationally and locally recognized dynamic presenters addressing pending legislative changes impacting our national healthcare system and issues and opportunities for improving our national, regional and local healthcare system.

To register, click here, or visit www.nevadahealthcareforum.com to learn more.

SNMIC and Las Vegas-based Restrepo Consulting Group LLC (“RCG”) are partnering to conduct a survey to evaluate workforce demands for Clinical Laboratory and Cardiorespiratory Sciences in Las Vegas. Healthcare service providers are asked to please complete the survey by August 18.

snmic72 — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:20:49 +0000

As you are probably aware, Nevada’s budget cuts are impacting critical educational programs in Southern Nevada. Most recently, the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) had to make the tough decision to eliminate the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) Program. This would leave Southern Nevada void of a CLS program, putting tremendous strain on already fragile workforce. This impacts all health care delivery systems, whether you handle your laboratory work in-house, or outsource these services.

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) has agreed to take over the CLS program, but this will require the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to approve CSN to deliver a 4-year program. CSN will be requesting this from NSHE, but must include a ‘validation letter’ from an unbiased, third-party. SNMIC will be providing this letter. In order to quantify the need for such a program, we ask that healthcare providers take five minutes to complete the electronic survey.

Click Here to access the survey.

At the same time, CSN is asking NSHE to approve a 4-year program for the training of Registered Respiratory Therapists(RRT). Again, another high need area in Southern Nevada. If you have a need for RRTs, please complete this area of the survey as well.

In closing, if you are not the appropriate person to complete this survey, can you be kind enough to forward this email to that person? Thank you in advance for your participation. This is very important to our community. Your response is needed by Wednesday, August 18 at 12:00 p.m.

Inaugural Digital Medical Office of the Future: Driving Toward Meaningful Use conference & exhibition to be held in September

snmic72 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:14:33 +0000

Presented by The Center for Business Innovation and co-sponsored by EHR Nevada, the conference will take place September 9-10 at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa & Casino.

Healthcare providers face a daunting array of options in purchasing, financing and implementing electronic health record systems that will achieve meaningful use under the HITECH Act. At this conference, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with leading EHR vendors and see product demonstrations. The program will also offered detailed and practical instruction, including leading-edge case studies, lectures, and intensive workshops. The faculty includes nationally recognized healthcare IT experts and practitioners. Key topics to be covered include:

Final Meaningful Use definitions and standards
A survey of the currently available EHR options, including conventional EHRs and modular approaches such as the use of Clinical Groupware
How to identify potential functionality gaps in EHR systems that may be difficult to overcome by the HITECH deadlines
Up to date information on certification options and requirements for EHRs
Financing options for EHR purchases
The evolving role of HIEs and their role in achieving Meaningful Use, including a look at different models from across the US
How to implement EHRs and HIEs
How hospitals can assist physicians with the purchase and implementation of EHRs
Innovative applications of EHRs
Using EHRs and practice management systems to meet NCQA medical home requirements
How to avoid legal pitfalls related to the use of EHRs, PHRs and HIEs
How to develop clinical analytics capabilities to improve outcomes and reach population-based performance goals

Who Should Attend:

Physicians, administrators and IT staff from medical practices, physician organizations, PHOs, IPAs, health information exchanges, hospitals and integrated delivery networks; also IT vendors, consultants, financiers, payers, representatives from medical societies, trade associations and regional extension centers and government officials.

For more information on speaking, sponsorship opportunities or to register, please contact:

Satish Kavirajan, Managing Director, TCBI

310-265-2570

www.tcbi.org

sk@tcbi.org

iDo Committee releases helpful fact sheets for Diabetes

snmic72 — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:15:59 +0000

The Improving Diabetes & Obesity Outcomes Committee (iDo) recently released a number of fact sheets to help educate those who suffer from Diabetes. The sheets include an Adult Diabetes Practice Guide, Blood Pressure Screening information, treatment for Hyperintensive patients and foot care tips for Diabetes patients.

The fact sheets are available for download (PDF versions) by visiting the iDo link located on the navigation bar of www.snmic.com.

The “iDo” committee of the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition is a large multi-disciplinary group of diabetes outcome stakeholders that meets monthly in Las Vegas. iDo promotes, tracks, and continually improves results of diabetes screening, prevention and control interventions for Southern Nevadans with, or at high risk for, diabetes and obesity through effective collaborations among public and private employers, payers, health care providers, educators, and community stakeholders, respecting the cultural diversity of our community.

SNMIC to apply for Career Advancement and Retention in Healthcare & Healthcare Information Technology Grant

snmic72 — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:36:42 +0000

SNMIC recently formed a grants committee and announced that it will bid on the Career Advancement and Retention in Healthcare & Healthcare Information Technology Grant (CARHHIT) that was released by Workforce Connections on July 9, 2010.

Workforce Connections is making available $750,000.00 of WIA Adult/Dislocated Worker funding to fund innovative and system-changing programs and stimulate private sector involvement in workforce development. Funding shall be directed to inventive workforce development partnerships that address the shortage of qualified workers in the key sectors of Healthcare and Healthcare IT.

This shall be accomplished through implementing a Healthcare Career Advancement and Retention Program that:

Addresses the shortage of licensed, experienced Registered Nurses meeting the needs of healthcare employers
Promotes the retention of incumbent Healthcare and Healthcare IT Workforce
Addresses the shortage of Certified Nursing Aides in Home Health Care/Long-Term Health Care
Addresses the skill development and reduction of barriers to employment meeting the entry level and/or culturally diverse worker’s needs for formal training
Influences and informs systems change promoting collaborations of industry stakeholders

The first planning meeting was held on July 15 and the RFP was reviewed and initial approach strategies to obtaining the grant were discussed. Final bids for the grant are due on August 13, 2010.

Volunteers are needed in all areas of the grant preparation with a specific emphasis on policy writing, question tracking, setting of timelines, performance metrics, problem statement writers and gathering of support letters.

The next planning meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the SNMIC offices (101 Convention Center Dr. – 7th Floor). If you would like to join the planning committee please notify Doug Geinzer – Doug[at]snmic.com. (Please note ‘@’ should be replaced in email address. This is done to advert unnecessary spam).

This grant is very important to the future of SNMIC and healthcare in Nevada and we urge you to help us in our efforts. For more information, visit www.snmicgrants.com.

Nevada Biotechnology & Bioscience Consortium presents the Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Las Vegas Hepatitis C Outbreak

snmic72 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:02:45 +0000

Tom Lorentzen, former Western Regional Director of Health and Human Services to serve as featured speaker.

Join the Nevada Biotechnology & Bioscience Consortium at McCormick & Schmicks (335 Hughes Center Pkwy) on Friday, July 23 to get the behind-the-scenes story of what went on during the Hepatitis C outbreak in Las Vegas.

Lorentzen was serving as the Western Regional Director of Health and Human Services during the outbreak and will provide an insider’s look at the crisis. He currently is advising the Government of Guam on health care.

Check-in for the event is at 11:30 am with lunch and the presentation beginning at 12 pm. Price is $30 and payable at the door. RSVP to jlaub@regenmd.org

All SNMIC members are encouraged to attend this informative luncheon. Please forward this e-mail to others in your organization who may be interested in attending.