Health Unit Coordinator Advisory Committee

Atlantic Technical Center
April 20, 2011 @ 8:30 a.m.

Business & Industry Members Present

Name / Title / Company
Crissy Marerro / Director of Clinical Education / Holy Cross Hospital
Maxine Francis / Administrator / Seventh Avenue Clinic
Donna Horton / Recruiter / North Broward Medical Center
Kimberly Cerri / Clinical Education Specialist / Coral Springs Medical Center

Guests Present

Name / Title / Company
Keren Donaldson-Miller / HUC Student / Atlantic Technical Center
Courtney Kierce / HUC Student / Atlantic Technical Center
Christy Aills / HUC Student / Atlantic Technical Center

District and School-Based Support Staff

Name / Title / Work Location
Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky / Dept. Head/Health Science / Atlantic Technical Center
Luz Kuilan / HUC Instructor / Atlantic Technical Center
Maureen Onischuck / Dept. Head/Health Science / Sheridan Technical Center
Joyce Sanders / HUC Instructor / Sheridan Technical Center

Meeting Notes/Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Maxine Francis. Introductions were made and the minutes of the November 9, 2010 meeting were read and approved as written.

Action Items Approved

An advisory update form was distributed to those who attended the meeting.

Sheridan Technical Center-Graduated 14 students from their January 2010 class. Five of these students have been offered a job but the organizations have a hiring freeze at this time. These companies did promise these positions to the students as soon as the freeze is lifted. Sheridan Technical Center did not have an August class. The current 2011 January class has 23 students enrolled and are looking forward to July 30, 2011 graduation.

Atlantic Technical Center-There were 17 graduates from the August 2010 class. There are five students still attending High School and will be graduating in June 2011. Six students took the National Association of Heath Unit Coordinators certification exam and two students passed. Two students are pursuing a career ladder into nursing. Two more of these students are in need of completing their TABE scores in order to receive their certificates of completion. Two students were hired in the field. Current enrollment, 24 students-12 adults and 12 high school students. A HUC review book (classroom set) has been added to classroom library for students to work with before they take the exam.

Clinical Rotations

Students attending Sheridan Technical Center have the opportunity to do their clinical at Memorial Healthcare System facilities. Students attending Atlantic Technical Center are getting their clinical rotations at four of the Broward Health System hospitals. Students have been reporting positive experiences during their clinical experiences. Two of these current students have been offered a job as soon as they complete the program.

Suggestions for Recruitment

Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky discussed how “billboards” announcements for all 3 Technical Centers have been placed on the main roads and Florida Turnpike. Holy Cross hospital is offering our schools the opportunity to recruit at a job/career fair on May 12, 2011. Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky will be representing our Broward Technical Centers.

Sheridan Technical Center staff discussed the development in the Weston community, which reflects an increase of opportunities for our students and graduates. We seem not to have an overflow of graduates. It was also discussed that organizations are promoting existing personnel to open in-house positions before posting them to the community.

Broward Tech Education Foundation

Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky updated the committee regarding the $50,000 successful donations. This money will be spent on helping students with financial burdens complete their program of study.

Review of Curriculum Frameworks

Members were asked to review the most updated 2011-2012 Health Unit Coordinator Curriculum Frameworks. They were asked to provide feedback to Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky via fax or email prior to our next meeting. The Curriculum Frameworks were approved at this time. There will be a need for some changes.

A discussion was focused on new technological development for Computer Physician Order Entry(CPOE). Because of this we will need to include new training for the HUC role. Broward Health will be completing Computer Physician Order Entry by 2012 having a paperless documentation. Other organizations who do not have the resources or have not implemented CPOE will require traditional training. It was agreed that training needs to focus on both paper and electronic medical records.

Textbooks

Sheridan and Atlantic Technical Center students are using the same textbook, LeFleur, 6th edition. The workbook accompanying the text is not being used at Atlantic Technical Center at this time. Electronic CD is used at Sheridan to enhance student learning.

Atlantic Technical Center will implement similar training with the use of the new laptop computer cart. In August the workbook will be added to their program. Atlantic Technical Center is going to use a Certification review text to enhance the NAHUC certification review and passing rate for these program completers.

Open Discussion

Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky asked for feedback from the community advisory members regarding the best method to meet. It was agreed that the meeting continue to be held at Atlantic Technical Center, but the use of teleconference or videoconference, webinars be implemented to meet the 51% quorum required for the meeting if necessary. It was also discussed the need for more participation from the south hospitals, Donna Horton stated she will email Vicky Watman and ask for participation via teleconference for our next meeting.

Students present were asked for their opinions, concerns and comments regarding the program. The desire to continue further education was expressed by all students. Former student made very positive comments about their clinical rotation and how it helped them apply what they learned in class.

Recruiter and other committee members encouraged these students to seek employment in the Healthcare field. Opportunities available for career ladder advancement and continuing education were discussed.

Adjournment and Date/Time of Next Scheduled Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m. The next meeting will be held at Atlantic Technical Center on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.