February 2005 No. 4 Connecting Alaska employers with University of Alaska resources Fisheries Technology Fishing for Technicians Easier with New UAS Program The program was started to meet local and regional needs of employers in the fish tech field, says Kate Sullivan, UAS assistant professor of fisheries technology. Page 2 Health Science UAA ANSRPH Transforming Health Science Research in Alaska We are constantly scouting new opportunities and projects for training and mentoring students, says Melodie Fair, ANSRPH research associate. Page 4 Medical Billing & Coding UA Helps Ease Shortage of Medical Support Staff Accurate coding is important for the patient, the doctor and the insurance company, says Pam Ventgen, UAA assistant professor in medical assisting. Page 5 Power Technology UAS Trains Students for Jobs in Priority Industries Our programs benefit Alaska companies by producing ready-to-work, trained, local workers that can perform the job that they are expected to do, says Chuck Craig, UAS associate professor of diesel/hydraulics. Page 6 Water/Wastewater UA Offers Comprehensive Water/Wastewater Training and Education Now more than ever, providing safe drinking water requires highly trained engineers, scientists and operators, says Dr. Craig Woolard, professor and chair of the UAA civil engineering department. Page 7 "The University is the place where Alaska s future begins." UA President Mark Hamilton Photos courtesy of UAS Ketchikan - Story on page 2
2 Fisheries Technology Fishing for technicians easier with new UAS Program In response to the community s need for trained, local fisheries technicians, UAS Ketchikan campus has developed a new program fisheries technology. The program, which was approved by the UA Board of Regents in April 2004, includes a two-year associate of applied science degree and a one-year certificate. Photo courtesy of UAS Ketchikan The program was started to meet local and regional needs of employers in the fish tech field, says Kate Sullivan, assistant professor of fisheries technology. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and regional aquaculture associations, such as Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA), all reported having difficulty hiring local, well-trained fish techs for seasonal and year-round positions. The program was started to meet local and regional needs of employers in the fish tech field. In addition to the academic program, the instructors and staff are also available to develop and lead training programs for businesses and agencies. We are always open to working with employers to develop and offer short training classes specific to an industry need, Sullivan says. We are always open to working with employers to develop and offer short training classes specific to an industry need. Partnerships are key to the success of the program. For example, the Southeast Sustainable Salmon Fund provided a $130,000 grant to help start the program. And an advisory board, made up of local industry and management agencies, assisted with program development and will continue to guide the program. The program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of fields for both public and private organizations. Positions could include technician, fish culturist, field biologist, fishery observer, fish and wildlife surveyor, habitat restoration technician, stream surveyor, harvest management assistant, hatchery technician and water quality technician. Graduates could also choose to open their own business or work as a contractor. I think the field is stable and that there is a continuing demand for fish techs throughout the region, Sullivan says. As the fishing industry remains a vital segment of Alaska s economy, good fish techs are needed to sustain fishing industries. Hands-on internships are a large part of the program, and students spend time working at places such as SSRAA, ADF&G and USFS. Photo courtesy of UAS Ketchikan The internship program has had positive response from industry and we expect internships at more regional aquaculture associations and private hatcheries, Sullivan says. Currently, there are seven students enrolled in the program. This number is expected to grow as word gets out about the program. Plus, the department expects to be able to offer the program via distance delivery by fall 2006, which will open it up to more students. Right now, about half of the courses are available by distance delivery. For more information, visit www.ketch.alaska.edu/fisheries/index.html or contact Kate Sullivan at 907.228.4565 or kate.sullivan@uas.alaska.edu. Photo courtesy of UAS Ketchikan
3 Workplace Skills New employee skill testing and training offered It s a familiar problem for employers a potential employee looks great on paper and gives a top-notch interview. But once hired, he or she just doesn t have the skills to get the job done. UAA s Chugiak-Eagle River campus offers a new service that can solve that problem for good. It s called WorkKeys, a skills analysis, testing and training program developed by ACT Inc., the nonprofit organization that created the ACT college admission exam. WorkKeys was developed in response to the growing gap between business skills needed in the workplace and the skills possessed by employees. WorkKeys finds out where the gaps of knowledge are and fills it in, says Dorothy Hansen, WorkKeys Test Center administrator at the Chugiak-Eagle River campus. The campus is one of more than 325 WorkKeys testing centers in the U.S. The centers conduct job-profiling assessments to determine necessary skill levels, then administer WorkKeys testing to students, job applicants or employees. The test measures nine workplace skills, including mathematics, business writing, teamwork, technology, listening, readiness, locating information, observation and reading. Spotlight Chugiak- Eagle River Campus Campus Director: Dennis Clark UAA s Chugiak-Eagle River campus is located at the mouth of beautiful Eagle River Valley in Eagle River, Alaska. The campus is an extension of the University of Alaska Anchorage campus located 20 miles south in the City of Anchorage and shares in the overall mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage. The campus' special strength is derived from its ability to quickly adjust to the needs of the local Next, the test results are interpreted, and skill improvement programs are developed. And since the program is Web-based, assessment, testing and training can be completed anywhere. WorkKeys finds out where the gaps of knowledge are and fills it in. The benefits for businesses are clear screening potential employees, training current employees, increasing productivity and minimizing turnover. But there are also great benefits for individuals. With WorkKeys, individuals can assess and improve their skills prior to pursuing a job or higher education. And in the near future, they can receive a certificate verifying their skill levels. WorkKeys doesn t train you for a job, it provides the skills so you can get a job, Hansen says. Over the next few months, Hansen will be working to raise the awareness of the new program. We have to introduce it to employers and show the benefits, she says. It s wonderful for both employers and employees. For information on how WorkKeys can help your business, contact UAA s Chugiak-Eagle River campus at 907.696.8378 or email andph@uaa.alaska.edu. people. Most Chugiak-Eagle River campus classes meet in the evening once per week to meet the needs of working students. The Chugiak-Eagle River campus offers over 100 different classes, many with multiple sections, for a total enrollment of almost 5000 students each year. The campus offers academic and career counseling and classes in all the major disciplines. Many students begin their road to a college degree in Eagle River. Convenient times and location allow them to start off with a class or two while they are still working full time. 10928 Eagle River Rd. Suite #228, Eagle River, AK 99577, Phone: 907.694.3313 Web: http://eagle.uaa.alaska.edu/index.htm UA@Work Inside This Issue We ve selected six University of Alaska workforce programs to highlight in the UA @ Work February 2005 newsletter. Fisheries Technology.......... 2 Workplace Skills.............. 3 Alaska Native Science Research Partnership for Health......... 4 Medical Billing & Coding....... 5 Power Technology............. 6 Water/Wastewater............ 7 If you would like more information about articles in this newsletter, please contact UA Corporate Programs at 3890 University Lake Drive, Suite 101, Anchorage, AK 99508. Email: corporateprograms@alaska.edu Website: www.alaska.edu/uacp UA @ Work is produced by University of Alaska Corporate Programs to connect Alaska employers with the University s workforce training and education resources. Manager: Cathy Collier Writer/Copy Editor: Rachel Grenier Graphic Arts: Dave Longley & Darla Carlson, UAA Print Shop Printing: UAA General Support Services UACP LEADERSHIP Joyce Helens is Executive Director of UA Corporate Programs, established by UA President Mark Hamilton in 1999. She has developed UA Corporate Programs to function as a corporate university within the academic university.
4 Health Science UAA s Alaska Native Science Research Partnerships for Health transforming health science research in Alaska Since receiving a $1.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities last year, the Alaska Native Science Research Partnership (ANSRPH) has made tremendous strides toward its goal of transforming health science research in Alaska Native communities. Hannah Hawkins, master of public health student, and ANSRPH mentor Janell Smith arrive for field work in Nuiqsut, Alaska. We are far beyond what we anticipated and we are constantly scouting new opportunities and projects for training and mentoring interested students, says Melodie Fair, ANSRPH research associate. ANSRPH started as a partnership between UAA s Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, Copper River Native Association and the Alaska Native Epidemiology Center of the Alaska Native Health Board. However, the partnerships have grown substantially and now include several other UAA departments, Alaska Native organizations, health clinics and communities across Alaska. The ANSRPH team is very pleased with the reception of this project from communities and agencies across Alaska, Fair says. ANSRPH uses a three-step approach to enhance Alaska Native health research capabilities. First, Alaska Natives are mentored and trained to conduct health science research. To date, ANSRPH has had approximately 25 students participate in the training/mentorship program. We did not expect to have so many students in training in our first year of the grant, Fair says. The second step is to train non- Native researchers to work effectively and respectfully in cross-cultural settings. And third, agreements that foster health science research partnerships are developed among various Alaska Native associations, health care delivery systems and research organizations. We are far beyond what we anticipated and we are constantly scouting new opportunities and projects for training and mentoring interested students. In the first year of the grant, ANSRPH focused on three types of research. The first was a qualitative analysis of Alaska elders nutrition. The research included interviewing the elders, inputting information into a database and analyzing the data. The second focus was on training Alaska Native and non-native researchers, and teaching non-natives to conduct culturally-appropriate research. One of the tactics used was to pair a non-native Nick Heitman, an Alaska Native psychology graduate student, gets tips in qualitative data analysis from Kathy Graves, PhD, MSW, UAA project director for the Alaska Natives into Psychology program and ANSRPH mentor. researcher with a Native mentor. The third research project included a review of resources on Alaska Native traditional healing and use of Native plants for well-being. ANSRPH plans to continue to grow by hiring research assistants, building new programs and partnerships, and pursuing additional grant awards in those partnerships. By showing that we can be a good trainer and mentor, we hope that our new partners will collaborate with us in the submittal of new awards, says Carl Hild, ANSRPH principal investigator. For more information on ANSRPH, visit www.ichs.uaa.alaska.edu/ichs/ansrph or contact Melodie Fair at 907.786.6577 or anmdf@uaa.alaska.edu. ANSPRH core leaders Brian Saylor, Carol Ballew, Lawrence Weiss, Melodie Fair, and Carl Hild discuss ANSRPH program.
5 Medical Billing and Coding UA helps ease shortage of medical support staff It s well known there is a shortage of doctors and nurses in Alaska. But employers are having a difficult time filling the less visible positions, like billing and coding specialists, as well. Accurate coding is important for the patient, the doctor and the insurance company. ing a coding and billing certificate program, which should be available in late 2005. Many graduates go on to become nationally certified, though completing a program is not required for certification. Although job placement rates are already high for entrylevel billers and coders, national certification is becoming even more important. Photo courtesy of UAF Tanana Valley campus According to the American Academy of Professional Coders, hospitals and clinics will be Some people want to work in medicine, but don t want the blood and guts part. Medical coding and billing fits their needs, and the needs of the community. required to increase the number of certified employees in the next several years. Though each of the UA programs ultimately has the same goal train qualified employees to fill the growing need for billers and coders in Alaska each program is also unique. The HCR certificate at UAF s CRA trains health care industry workers in rural Alaska. Through distance-delivery, faculty members build learning communities of students in rural areas. For local health care employers, the program means more trained, local employees. For the students, it means viable employment opportunities at home. The UAF Tanana Valley campus HCR certificate is offered on campus for students in the Fairbanks area. The program trains students for employment or improves skills of those already working in the field. UAS-Sitka s HIM degree, which is available on campus or as a distance-delivered Medical billers and coders analyze patients medical records, and assign diagnosis and procedure codes. The codes are then provided to insurance companies as part of the reimbursement process. These employees are needed in many different medical settings, including physicians offices, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, behavioral health facilities, health care corporations and veterinary hospitals. Accurate coding is important for the patient, the doctor and the insurance company, says Pam Ventgen, assistant professor in UAA s medical assisting department. Errors in medical records are harder to fix than credit reports. The shortage is expected to continue for the next ten years, said Karen Perdue, UA associate vice president, in a 2003 Allied Health Careers proposal. For now, many jobs go unfilled or a more expensive fix is applied coding is done by Lower 48 consultants. UA campuses are addressing this need with a variety of programs. UAF s College of Rural Alaska (CRA) offers a distancedelivered health care reimbursement (HCR) certificate, designed to train health care workers in rural Alaska. The UAF Tanana Valley campus also offers an HCR certificate. UAS-Sitka offers an associate of applied science degree in health information management (HIM), and a HIM coding specialist certificate. And UAA offers billing and coding courses as part of its medical assisting program, and is developprogram, prepares graduates to work as health information specialists. The coding specialist certificate gives students the tools to work in a variety of different settings, especially acute care facilities. Graduates of UAA s medical assisting program earn an associate of applied science degree. However, most of the courses in the program are open to non-degree seeking students, as long as students have the base knowledge. Plus, many classes are offered in the evening to further accommodate those already employed. Some people want to work in medicine, but don t want the blood and guts part. Medical coding and billing fits their needs, and the needs of the community, Ventgen says. For more information on these programs, contact: UAF College of Rural Alaska, Lillian Ruedrich, 907.474.2669, fnlr@uaf.edu UAF Tanana Valley campus, Christa Bartlett, 907.455.2887, ffclb2@uaf.edu, www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/hlth-reim.html UAS-Sitka, Carol Liberty, 907.747.7718, tfcpl@uas.alaska.edu, www.uas.alaska.edu/sitka/him.html UAA, Pam Ventgen, 907.786.6927, afpkv@uaa.alaska.edu, http://alliedhealth.uaa.alaska.edu/medicalassisting/medassist1.htm
6 Power Technology UAS trains students for jobs in priority industries Training Alaskans for jobs in priority industries is the goal of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development s Investment Strategy. We intend to ensure that high quality job-linked training is available to prepare Alaskans for high demand and good wage jobs, said Greg O Claray, commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in an October 7, 2003 press release. One of the training priorities is marine oilers and UAS diesel department is doing its part by offering the Marine Engine Room Preparation (MERP) certificate program. Diesel engines students pull pistons from engines. We are the only facility in the state doing this type of oiler training, says Chuck Craig, tenured associate professor of diesel/hydraulics at UAS. The MERP certificate is a partnership between UAS, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) and the Inland Boatman s Union. The two-semester program, plus internship, ultimately gets students a U.S. Coast Guard Oiler Document, and prepares them to work on board large vessels, such as the AMHS ferries. The program appears to be growing. Last year, five students completed the certificate program. And this year, a total of seven students are enrolled. Students complete a 1,440-hour internship about 120 sea days on board AMHS ferries. Although the internships are not paid, some students may qualify for Alaska Department of Labor State Training and Employment Program (STEP) stipends. The internships are a great way for the students to get experience and the employer to get a good look at the students, Craig says. In addition to the MERP certificate, the UAS diesel department also Electrical students work on electrical boards. offers an associate of science degree in power technology, a heavy duty mechanics certificate, and a marine Our programs benefit Alaska companies by producing ready-to-work, trained, local workers that can perform the job that they are expected to do. mechanics certificate. In fall 2005, the department will begin offering an associate of science degree with an oiler emphasis. UAS career education department, which the diesel department is part of, also offers degrees and certificates in automotive technology, construction and nursing. In this age of high technology and specialization, it is very expensive and usually difficult for the employer to do all the employee training, Craig says. Our programs benefit Alaska companies by producing ready-to-work, trained, local workers that can perform the job that they are expected to do. For more information on the diesel department s offerings, contact Chuck Craig at 907.465.8787 or chuck.craig@uas.alaska.edu or visit their website at www.uas.alaska.edu/diesel. Spotlight "His knowledge of the subject is amazing" Chuck Craig, tenured associate professor of diesel/hydraulics at UAS, has been in the diesel engine field for about 35 years. He grew up in Juneau living on a vessel that had twin Detroit Diesel engines. He has spent the majority of his working life in the diesel and marine field. Craig worked for 15 years at N C Machinery Co., the South East Alaska Caterpillar dealership, before he joined UAS as an assistant professor in the diesel program in 1995. In 2000, Craig was selected as the Professor of the Year for Alaska by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He teaches all the diesel course offerings except DESL 260 Power Trains and DESL 130 Refrigeration. He is an International Fluid Power Society-certified Hydraulic Specialist and an American Boat and Yacht Council Marine Electrical Technician. This was an excellent educational experience! His knowledge of this subject is amazing and his fun approach made learning much easier. Student from Craig's Marine Auxiliary class
7 Water/Wastewater Technology UA offers comprehensive water/wastewater training and education Clean water is essential to Alaskans health and properly trained water and wastewater personnel are necessary to achieve this. From providing ongoing training for operators to educating tomorrow s engineers and scientists, UA campuses across the state are striving to meet this need. Regulations are becoming more stringent as we learn more about the health consequences of contaminants in drinking water, says Dr. Craig Woolard, professor and chair of the UAA civil engineering department. Now more than ever, providing safe drinking water requires highly trained engineers, scientists and operators. Training for existing workforce takes place through the Alaska Training/Technical Assistance Center (ATTAC) in Sitka. The center, which opened in 1998 after receiving a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides workshops and technical assistance to operators and state agency personnel across Alaska. The center also provides entry-level training. When it comes to training, which focuses on small water systems, ATTAC is responsive to industry needs. The EPA gives broad guidelines to subject areas. We also develop our work plan based on the state s training needs and requests we have received, says Nicole Duclos, ATTAC program coordinator. Students preparing to work in the water and wastewater industry can also pursue certificates and degrees at UAS, UAA and UAF. Regulations are becoming more stringent as we learn more about the health consequences of contaminants in drinking water. UAS Sitka campus offers a oneyear certificate and a two-year associate of applied science degree in environmental technology. The curriculum, which is available via distance delivery, also provides skill upgrading for current operators. At UAF, students can pursue a bachelor of science in civil engineering and master of science degrees in environmental engineering, environmental quality science and civil engineering. And UAA offers a bachelor of science in civil engineering, and master of science degrees in civil engineering, environmental quality engineering and environmental quality science. Now more than ever, providing safe drinking water requires highly trained engineers, scientists and operators. Partnerships with these UA departments are a cornerstone of ATTAC s work. For example, ATTAC partners with the UAA and UAF engineering departments to conduct research and do technology demonstrations. The UAF engineering department has a water treatment system, instrumented for remote monitoring, at the Toolik Field Station in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range. One of the most important things about operating a utility is identifying problems right away, says Dr. Dan White, UAF professor of civil and environmental engineering, and ATTAC staff member. When human health is at stake, we want to be sure the system is operating properly. Often small systems do not have the personnel to monitor all the parameters. Our research into remote monitoring may help address this problem. At UAA, staff is testing an arsenic removal system in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. If the tests are successful, the operation could be replicated for small water utilities across Alaska. We help answer the question what is the best technology to use? Woolard says. We mitigate the risk in trying a new technology. We try something, then give feedback so the owners can make an informed decision. The research gives both graduate and undergraduate students an opportunity for hands-on learning. Students are an integral part of the work, White says. Photos courtesy of Alaska Training/Technical Assistance Center (ATTAC) in Sitka For more information on these programs, contact: ATTAC, Nicole Duclos, 907.747.7756, attac@uas.alaska.edu, www.uas.alaska.edu/attac UAF, Dr. Dan White, 907.474.6222, ffdmw@uaf.edu, www.uaf.edu/engineer/cee.htm UAA, Dr. Craig Woolard, 907.786.1863, afcrw@uaa.alaska.edu, www.engr.uaa.alaska.edu/soe/default.htm UAS, 907.747.6653, 1.800.478.6653, www.uas.alaska.edu/attac/envt/etp.html
8 UA Corporate Programs Your Portal to UA Resources UACP is a single point of contact through which any business entity, government agency, or nonprofit organization can easily access the rich education and training resources of the University of Alaska system. Your Corporate University Although housed within the academic university, UACP is a corporate university specifically designed to respond to the training and educational needs of Alaska s work force. Your Full-Service Training Provider Let UACP assist you in locating the exact workforce training resource you need, whether it already exists within the university s statewide or nationwide networks, or requires customized design and development to meet specifications. Your Way to Shape Alaska s Future UACP enables industry representatives to work directly with educators to shape curricula relevant to their industries, ensuring a stronger Alaska work force and giving Alaskans the skills, knowledge, and competencies they need. Your Workforce Partner UACP partners with Alaska business entities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to train today s employees and shape tomorrow s work force. The people at UA Corporate Programs are professional and great to work with. We highly recommend UACP and look forward to partnering with them in the future. Rod Reinchuck Education Chair American Society for Quality (ASQ) Alaska Section "Working with UACP to coordinate and market technical and personal development programs has led to cost-savings for us and helped us achieve our goals of streamlining functions." Dave M. Rees Technical Training Team Lead BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. For information on partnering with the University of Alaska for employee training and professional development for your business, agency, or organization, contact Joyce Helens at 907.786.6949 or joyce.helens@alaska.edu. Spotlight UACP employee honored with quality award Bruce Rowe, UA Corporate Programs (UACP) contract manager, was honored with the Alaska Section of the American Society of Quality (ASQ) Individual Quality Award. ASQ s Alaska Section presents this and other awards annually to organizations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding contributions in the field of quality. UACP and ASQ Alaska Section partnered to put on the Disney Institute s Disney Keys to Excellence training seminar in Anchorage for more than 200 attendees. It is evident that the success of the Disney Keys to Excellence seminar, as well as many other UA Corporate Programs endeavors, are the result of a positive, professional team culture fostered by Bruce, says Richard Mitchells, ASQ Alaska Section chair. The event is another example of how UACP builds partnerships to provide educational and training opportunities for Alaska businesses. ASQ had the need to bring a quality seminar to Anchorage, for their own group and others to attend. The University was interested in bringing the same type of major event to the community, says Rowe, who has worked at UA since 1990, and at UACP since its inception in 1999. Contact Bruce Rowe at 907.786.1168 or Bruce.Rowe@alaska.edu. Corporate Programs University of Alaska 3211 Providence Drive, ULB 101 Anchorage, AK 99508 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 107 Anchorage, AK The University of Alaska is an EEO/AA employer and education institution.