New Online Training Creates Jobs for Mental Health Professionals
The shortage of trained mental health professionals, coupled with the ever increasing need for these services in long term care settings, is being addressed by Concept Healthcare, LLC. A 4-week series of online, interactive courses will prepare students to better understand the aging process, the nursing home environment, clinical care, and the world of reimbursement and billing. This turnkey package will get quality care to where it is needed, and create professional job opportunities, nationally, for CoHealth Certified Providers.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 20, 2009 -
New professional work opportunities will be created for psychologists and social workers who complete a series of seminars on how to establish a practice in long term care settings. The training will be provided by Concept Healthcare, LLC, an internet-based company specializing in mental health training for health care professionals and family caregivers (www. cohealth. org). Dr. Joseph M. Casciani, company founder and President, and geropsychologist for over 25 years, has long recognized the shortage of professionals trained to work with older adults. (www. iom. edu/?id=53452 (http://www. iom. edu/?id=53452)). And with many states facing budget cutbacks and reductions in mental health programs in today's tough economy, new work opportunities for these practitioners will be welcome.
By offering a quality, comprehensive training package, trainees will be better prepared, with clear ethical guidelines and professional standards, to care for this burgeoning senior population. Common problems in this age group are depression, a loss of motivation to comply with and progress thru medical treatment, and difficulty coping with the myriad personal, social, and physical losses they have experienced. It should be emphasized, according to the company President, that individuals usually respond very well to psychological treatment. Family members also benefit from counseling, when given a chance to talk about their spouses' or parents' physical, emotional, and mental changes. These professionals are in the best position to provide this support.
As Casciani says, "We are too quick to rely on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications to treat the patient's symptoms - psychological services provide more lasting benefit, and don't rely on a "quick fix" because we help older patients learn new ways to cope and adapt to changes, something that medications cannot do."
All training will be conducted online, over four consecutive weeks, so the student can conveniently participate from home or office, with a phone and an internet connection. The sessions will cover aging issues, working in a collaborative, nursing home environment, assessment and treatment approaches, and most importantly, understanding Medicare, billing and getting paid for medically necessary services. Continuing education credit will be given for psychologists, clinical social workers, and other disciplines. Class size is limited to ten.
The entire package includes the interactive training, course syllabus, audio recordings of the seminars, inservice modules, monthly conference calls, free membership on the company's website, and follow-up consultation with Concept Healthcare's Clinical Advisory Board. A unique benefit for the graduates is designation as a CoHealth Certified Provider. With this designation, letters of introduction will be sent to prospective worksites, attesting to the graduate's clinical, administrative, and inter-disciplinary credentials, and assurance of CoHealth's recognition and support. The new earning potential of these Certified Providers allows for tuition costs to be recouped in less than two months of practice.
This is one of the many innovative approaches adopted by Concept Healthcare. With its online, interactive programs and its virtual classroom model, this company uses 21st century technology to bring vital content to the end user, anywhere. Whether they live in a major metropolitan area, or an outlying, remote part of the country, CoHealth Certified Providers can reach into new geographic areas to deliver essential mental health care to our aging population.
For those who are only interested in specialized topics, the company's website offers an array of educational content for professionals, paraprofessionals, and family caregivers. Courses can be completed online, and CE credit is available.
Live web conferences are also held twice monthly, bringing in speakers well known in the industry of aging, geriatrics, and geropsychology. As one of our participants recently said, "Once you've taken a webinar, you're spoiled for life." Another says, "What is very new about the webinar is that professionals can get their CEs from experts in the field without having to leave their office. There is a lot to be said for that!"
About Concept Healthcare
Concept Healthcare is a web-based company providing educational content and training for professionals, workers in health care settings, and family members who care for older adults, focusing on improving the physical and psychological well being of this group. Online courses, live web conferences, and custom training programs can be tailored for various organizations, individuals and groups, including LTC facilities, hospices, and home health organizations. Continuing education credit is authorized by many state and professional organizations.
Contact:
Susan P. Christ
Director of Sales and Marketing
4901 Morena Blvd., Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92117-3370
858-272-3992 (o)
858-272-3804 (f)
619-892-1344 (m)
Schrist (at) cohealth (dot) org
Www. cohealth. org
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