Training

Training Update

Email sent out on November 17,2008

Greetings all. IHS HQ CHR Program is updating the way in which we train CHR Basic this year. We will conduct only 2 (two) CHR Basic courses during FY 2009. One of those will be a traditional two-week classroom setting and the other will be blended education – a combination of online modules and traditional classroom setting.

In the traditional two-week format, registrants will be notified of their acceptance to the class; pre-class modules will be sent and must be completed satisfactorily prior to the in-person training; and the in-person course will be taught at a forthcoming location. Upon satisfactory completion (passing) of this session, the CHR will receive his/her Certificate.

We will also schedule another Basic training which will be comprised of primarily online learning modules which must be completed by pre-determined deadlines, as in any course. Students will have the opportunity to take advantage of online instructors; small fellow student learning groups; and other online resource information. Once the student has passed all the modules in the required timeframes, they will be notified that they are eligible for the in-person skills training and other modules which are best learned in a face-to-face environment. We believe that the in-person training will take place sometime in July 2009. Upon satisfactory completion (passing) of this session, the CHR will receive his/her Certificate.

An Announcement complete with registration information regarding the Traditional course and the Online course will be sent by no later than December 15 if not before.

As customary, student applicants whose Tribes have left CHR HQ shares will be given preference and their travel/per diem costs will be paid for. Those students which register for the online training must have access to computers with certain functionalities and software – and those requirements will be in the announcement for use prior to registration for both classes.

I’m sending this as a heads up and to notify CHR Program Directors/Supervisors/Managers and Health Directors to please begin the process of identifying which CHRs need Basic training - and the preferred format. Once we send out the announcement and registration forms, those who complete and return them quickly to the appropriate entity will obviously have the advantage.

Please note – prior to receiving the official notification/announcement and registration form from me, do NOT send any kind of requests or notices that you’re “signing up” specific CHRs or a number of CHRs to CDR Harjo, Pamela Aguilar or other staff at MPHC or me. Any such communications or requests will be completely disregarded. Wait till the announcement comes out and complete the forms appropriately to help us ensure a level playing field for everyone.

Updating the methods by which CHR Training is delivered will reduce CHR time away from the program and communities. Training is key to CHRs being able to work effectively and safely with patients. Please ensure you support this critical element to ensure knowledge and skills.

Please contact me with any questions.

Thanks much,

Cathy

Cathy Stueckemann, JD, MPA
Public Health Advisor/National Director
Community Health Representative Program
Indian Health Service Headquarters
801 Thompson Avenue, Room 326
Rockville, Maryland 20852

301-443-2500
301-642-6634 (cell)
913-662-7033 (fax)

Email: Cathy.Stueckemann@ihs.gov

Albert Einstein - “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

Training schedule

2008 CHR Training Schedule and Brochure [PDF 114k]

CHR First Responder Course

Indian Health Service in cooperation with the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and Mountain Plains Health Consortium (MPHC) is sponsoring a First Responder Course. This class is designed to provide the participant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to:

· Recognize that an emergency exists.

· Deliver Basic Life Support care (CPR).

· Deliver life/limb saving treatment.

· Know when to activate the EMS System.

· Stabilize fractured or suspected fractured limbs.

· Stabilize unstable or suspected unstable spinal injuries.

· Recognize and provide supportive care for a variety of medical and traumatic situations.

Successful participants will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians standard exam and/or the appropriate state exam. This class follows the Department of Transportation National Standard Curriculum.

Contact Glenn Goodman at 605-490-1869 for information. Slots for twenty CHRs and tribal leaders have been reserved for each IHS Area.

There is no cost for this class and travel, lodging and per diem are reimbursable. Reimbursement is contingent on class attendance and completion of the course.

› Overview of First Responder Training [word 25k]

› Course Purpose First Responder Training [word 25k]

› First Responder Daily Schedule [word 25k]

  - - Glen Goodman, Mountain Plains Health Consortium

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Training Component

The following CHR qualifications are guidelines headquarters strongly advises tribal programs follow:

• Fingerprints for a background check and to check any past criminal history especially for applicants dealing with the children, elderly or disabled
• A drug test prior to being hired as well as randomly scheduled drug screenings,
• Physical ability to carry out needed tasks
• Healthcare provider CPR certification
• First aid training
• Possession of a valid drivers license
• and a minimum age of 18 years (Determined by Tribal Personnel Regulations).

The tribe will also adhere to the Indian Preference Law. Please note there may be additional requirements.

Training sessions are currently three weeks long, but may be adjusted to a shorter period with distance learning technology and web based instruction.

Every CHR must attend and successfully complete the Basic Training Course, prior to training the applicant must submit a record of healthcare provider CPR certification, and first aid. The three-week course is designed to provide the CHRs with the educational tools necessary to competently accomplish their jobs. I H S still sponsors training for tribes in the IHS system and those tribes who have opted for Title I (AFA) shares. Compacted/Self Governance (Title III) tribes may participate in I H S sponsored training programs such as Basic and Refresher Training if: (1) class space is available, and (2) they pay the costs of training.

CHRs whose tribes (Title I and III) leave funds with the IHS for such purposes may apply for and attend Basic CHR course. Admission is based on equitable treatment to all eligible tribes.

Because of the variety of health-related tasks a CHR does, it is necessary that CHRs maintain a high level of proficiency and knowledge on the health subjects that apply to their tribal needs and specific job function.

CHRs need to know all they can about health problems that affect their tribes. In some tribes, a CHR may be designated as a specialist, there CHRs need additional knowledge and training. Whatever the tribal needs and the educational background of the CHR, most CHRs will improve as they attend health related conferences and workshops.

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Training Component

The training component of the CHR Program is to provide an environment that will promote the individual CHR’s educational growth and proficiency in providing health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services. In the future the goal is to modify the CHR training curriculum to so that CHRs will obtain licensure/certification. The requirements vary by community training information is available at the IHS healthcare facilities.

The components of training are as follows:

1. Basic Training - To provide the nationally accredited health training to all I H S-CHR funded employees after their completion of the probationary period and designated prerequisites.
   1. Each employee, occupying a position supported by IHS-CHR finds, is required to successfully complete the CHR Basic Training Course within 1 year of employment.
   2. Each CHR will be given the opportunity to take a challenge test in place of the CHR Basic Training.
2. Specialty Training - To provide current information to increase proficiency in health care, health promotion and disease prevention services through special accredited courses.
3. Advanced Training - To provide academic and practical experience that may lead toward an Associate 01 Arts degree, licensure and certification, through colleges, universities and vocational technical schools.
4. “Refresher” CHR Course - The “refresher” CHR Course is required to be taken by CHR’s between 36 and 48 months after completing the p Basic CHR Training Course.
5. Responsibilities
   1. Director National IHS/CHR Program Office - To be responsible for the overall management of the CHR Program, Office of Health Programs.
   2. Training Committee - Develop national policies related to the training and development of CHR’s. Develop national educational training standards. Coordinate training/educational activities with other disciplines associated with the CHR programs. Periodically assess, update, and evaluate training needs.
   3. National CHR Training Officer - Manage and promote the national and regional training and educational activities of the CHR Program.
   4. Area CHR Coordinators - Assess, update, and evaluate the training needs of CHR’s in their respective areas and provide this information for use in policy formulation. Implement policies and procedures pertaining to CHR training. Ensure that each CHR receives and satisfactorily completes the 3-week Basic CHR Training Course. Coordinate training and educational activities with other disciplines associated with the Area CHR Program(s). Conduct and/or coordinate training for CHR’s.
   5. Curriculum Review Committee - Utilize subject matter experts as required for review and analysis of CHR curricula.
   6. Contractors/Grantees - Ensure that CHR’s are provided training commensurate with their duties under the awarded instrument.

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