Nurses at UPMC Harrisburg, learn about RAPTbaby Smart Sleep Sound Machines – PHOTO/PROVIDED
UPMC Harrisburg’s NCIU is getting 20 Smarter Sleep Sound Machines to support language development in preterm and term infants.
RAPTbaby, the children’s division of RAPT Ventures Inc. (RIV) has partnered with UPMC Pinnacle Foundation to provide the machines.
“We designed the Smarter Sleep Sound Machine to give both parents and caregivers a new tool to support the cognitive growth of the children in their care,” said Dr. April Benasich of RIV. “We are delighted that, through this donation to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, our units will be placed in the UPMC-Harrisburg NICU where they can help produce the positive outcomes we all want for NICU infants.”
Co-founded by Benasich, the country’s first endowed chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, RVI products support brain development and performance across all stages of life.
RVI’s RAPTbaby Smarter Sleep Sound Machine has a variety of soundtracks composed to promote the alpha and delta waves important to sleep while also incorporating structured acoustic cues that stimulate parts of the young brain that should be engaged in building language networks, even during sleep, Benasich said.
At UPMC Harrisburg, the Smarter Sleep sound machines will help ensure that both preterm and term infants in the hospital’s NICU are exposed to the specific acoustic input their brains need and expect to support language acquisition, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation said.
“The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation is honored to be able to accept this generous donation from RAPTbaby on behalf of the UPMC Harrisburg NICU,” said Jessica Ritchie, president of the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation. “We are excited to know that our littlest patients will be able to benefit from the developmental benefits these Smarter Sleep Sound Machines offer.”
To meet the growing demand for medical assistants, UPMC, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and Central Penn College together are offering tuition-paid training.
Under this partnership, medical assistant students who successfully complete the program and are hired by UPMC will receive payments equivalent to the full cost of the programs, in addition to their salary.
Lou Baverso
“Medical assistants are talented, versatile health care professionals who perform clinical and administrative duties and are often one of the first people that patients see,” said Lou Baverso, president, UPMC in Central Pa. “Medical assistants are much-in-demand and a great way to enter into the fast-growing health care field where individuals can choose from a wide range of career paths.”
Jobs in medical assisting are already in high demand and are expected to grow 19% through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As part of this initiative, Central Penn College will offer a new 12-month, 30-credit, Medical Assisting Diploma Program that requires students to attend full-time, in-person classes on the college’s Summerdale campus in Cumberland County.
Through a combination of funding from UPMC, Central Penn College, and UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, graduates who work at UPMC will receive tuition reimbursement. Students must complete at least two years of the work requirement at UPMC in Central Pa. facilities.
“Central Penn College is known for the strength of our medical assisting program, and we are proud of our reputation for producing highly qualified professionals for the booming health care industry,” said Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, Central Penn College’s president. “Because our educational offerings reflect the job market’s demands, our students are finding immediate success in their chosen field after graduation.”
Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams – Submitted
Fedrizzi-Williams went on to say, “This partnership with UPMC is an important connection for our college and our students, as they have the opportunity to secure vital jobs in health care and are eligible to receive full reimbursement for their education after three successful years of employment. This innovative partnership not only represents ‘life-changing medicine’ for UPMC patients, but life-changing education for our students.”
As an added benefit, students also can work in a variety of full- and part-time positions that can accommodate their studies. “We will help interested students find the right position for them to work in a health care setting,” said Baverso.
Central Penn College is making the CPC Housing Scholarship, valued at $5,800 a year, available to all qualifying medical assisting enrollees who attend full-time.
Applicants for the Medical Assisting Diploma program must have a minimum GPA of a 2.0 from the official transcripts from the last school attended to be considered for acceptance. GED scores will be accepted. For the full list of requirements, visit www.centralpenn.edu/UPMC.
Classes will start Monday, Jan. 9, and the deadline to apply is Friday, Dec. 23. Due to the medical nature of the Medical Assisting Diploma program, students will receive hands-on, experiential learning as part of the required, in-person classes at the Summerdale campus. The first term enrollment is limited to 20 students.
UPMC and Central Penn College are holding an informational event at the Summerdale campus on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 11:30 a.m. Admission counselors will answer questions regarding the Medical Assisting Diploma program, including how students, through scholarships and post-graduate reimbursements, can receive full tuition for their education.
Phlebotomy and medical assistant training now being offered by Central Penn College, UPMC and UPMC Pinnacle Foundation
Central Penn College is offering medical assisting and phlebotomy training in conjunction with UPMC and UPMC Pinnacle Foundation.
The programs will be added to the surgical technician program which started in February in which students who successfully complete the program are hired by UPMC and will receive payments equivalent to the full cost of the programs in addition to their salary.
“Phlebotomists and medical assistants are much-needed members of the health care team, providing a wide range of crucial services to patients,” said Lou Baverso, COO, UPMC in Central Pa. “It is a need in our communities, and we hope this will help fill it. We’re very happy to partner with Central Penn College to support these programs and provide a high-quality education at potentially no final cost to the student.”
As part of this initiative, Central Penn College will offer a new 12-month, 30-credit, Medical Assisting Diploma Program that requires students to attend full-time, in-person classes on the college’s Summerdale campus. The Phlebotomy Technician Certificate is an existing 9-month, part-time program that includes a mix of online and in-person classes.
Phlebotomy is a burgeoning health care field. Jobs for phlebotomists and phlebotomy technicians are expected to grow 22% through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jobs in medical assisting (MA) are expected to grow 19% through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Like the surgical technician program, funding from UPMC, Central Penn College, and UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, program graduates who work at UPMC will receive payments in addition to their salaries equivalent to the cost of the programs. Students must complete at least two years of the work requirement at UPMC facilities in the Central Pa. region.
Students also can work in a variety of full- and part-time positions that can accommodate their studies. “We will help interested students find the right position for them to work in a health care setting,” added Baverso.
Central Penn College is making the CPC Housing Scholarship––valued at $5,800 a year–– available to all qualifying medical assisting enrollees who attend full-time. Students in the part-time phlebotomy technician program are eligible to receive a partial housing scholarship.
“This initiative is an excellent opportunity for students looking to work in the growing health care field,” said Dr. Krista Wolfe, vice president of academic affairs and provost at the college. “Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or someone ready to make a career change, you could be employed as a medical assistant or phlebotomy technician within 12 months or less. And your tuition could be fully reimbursed, thanks to this innovative partnership.”
Classes will start Tuesday, July 5. Due to the medical nature of these programs, students will receive hands-on, experiential learning as part of the required, in-person classes. The first term enrollment is limited to 20 students for each program. The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 30.
To keep up with demand in the surgical field, UPMC, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and Central Penn College are working together to bring more skilled surgical technicians to the region.
Students who successfully complete the program and are hired by UPMC will receive financial assistance up to full reimbursement of all diploma tuition costs.
“This is an exceptional opportunity to pursue an education with Central Penn College, a leader in delivering career-focused education, followed by a fulfilling health care career at world-class UPMC,” said Lou Baverso, COO, UPMC in Central Pa. “All at potentially no final cost to the student.”
Surgical technicians perform a variety of activities that assist doctors during surgery, including sterilizing and setting up equipment, positioning patients for procedures, handing instruments to doctors during surgery, and preparing operating rooms for patients, according to UPMC.
The median annual wage for surgical technicians was $49,710 in May 2020. Jobs in the surgical technician field are projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The 18-month, 42-credit program will start on April 4 at the college’s Summerdale campus.
Through a combination of funding from UPMC, Central Penn College, and UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, students who work at UPMC for three years following graduation will have the full tuition cost of the diploma program reimbursed.
“Diploma students also have the opportunity to work with UPMC during their education,” said Baverso. Central Penn College also is making the CPC Housing Scholarship available to all qualifying Surgical Technician Diploma and AAS Program enrollees who choose to live on campus, valued at $5,800 a year.
“Local hospitals are growing their surgery programs, and surgical services are becoming increasingly advanced, requiring skilled technicians to support surgeries,” said Dr. Krista Wolfe, vice president of Academic Affairs and Provost, Central Penn College.
“The job market for new health care graduates has never been better,” said Jessica Ritchie, vice president of development, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation. “The foundation is pleased to give $75,000 to launch this program and support health care education in our region, as well as over $165,000 in tuition support to UPMC to help grow the Central Pa. skilled workforce and encourage students to pursue this valued field.”
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