Press Release:

Job Corps, Cary to Host Medical Career Seminar  – 16 – 24 Year Olds Urged to Attend

Aroostook County:

Loring Job Corps and Cary Medical Center will host a special Medical Career Seminar on Thursday, May 24 from 4 – 6 pm at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.  The seminar will highlight medical careers that are in high demand including Certified Nurse’s Assistant and Medical Administration.  Young men and women ages 16 – 24 are urged to attend.

Statistics for job placements in the medical industry are still strong and openings exist even in our current economy. Certified Nurse’s Assistant and Medical Administration or otherwise known as Medical Office Support are two technical training vocations that are in high demand locally. Loring Job Corps Center (LJCC) offers both of these technical training vocations to students’ ages 16-24 at “no cost” if qualification guidelines are met.

Jason Belanger, Instructor in Medical Administration at LJCC, said that the Medical Office Support career is vital to all medical facilities.

“The Medical Office Support staff is “key” to the day to day operation of the medical facility.  The support staff are the first initial contact and often the final contact for medical patients,” said Belanger.  “The Medical Office Support vocational training program also includes billing and coding.  This is an important part of the medical practice to verify that insurances and payments are being collected appropriately. The LJCC training program includes this coding and billing as one important part of the certification of Medical Administration.”    Student completion rate is the second highest at LJCC next to Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.), according to Belanger.

There is also high demand for Certified Nurse’s Assistants.   LJCC C.N.A. Instructor Bernadine Muffler a registered nurse for over 32 years stated said that the Certified Nurse’s Assistant plays a vital role on the healthcare team.

“As a Registered Nurse (R.N.) my job could never be completed without being assisted by my C.N.A.’s. They are the other set of ears, eyes and observation person to compliment the R.N. on duty for the care of their patients”. According to Ms. Muffler from past experiences there has always a shortage of C.N.A.s in the medical industry.

Individuals ages 16 – 24 who would like to learn more about the CNA or Medical Support Career training programs available at the Loring Job Corps Center are invited to attend this free seminar on May 24 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center from 4 – 6 pm.  Cary Medical Center is teaming up with LJCC to promote the career fields.  Bill Flagg, Director of Community Relations and Development at Cary said that the Loring Job Corps Center offers valuable training to meet local demands.

“Loring Job Corps offers a great opportunity for young people to explore rewarding and satisfying careers in healthcare”, said Flagg who will represent the hospital at the May 24 seminar along with nursing and medical administration staff.  “If an individual qualifies the training is free and represents a great value.  Our local hospitals and medical practices have benefited from the training provided by LJCC and we are pleased to work with them at this important career seminar.” 

Information will be available for offerings of “free” Technical Training in the fields of Medical Administration and Certified Nursing Assistant vocations offered at LJCC. Representatives from both organizations will be available for questions during the seminar.

Printed in Aroostook Republican weekly newsin 5/23/2012 edition, front page.