It’s anticipated that allied health careers will continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

Because of advances in technology and continued research and development in the field, professions in healthcare fields present a wide variety of employment opportunities. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20 of the 30 fastest growing occupations in the country (projected to 2022) are in healthcare related fields. KPC/UAA offers an assortment of certificate, associate of applied science and other advanced degrees in healthcare fields. Current students or members of the public are invited to explore options at an informational session at 2 p.m. on Oct. 16 in Ward 104 at KRC. Those in attendance will learn about many options, including radiological technology, dental hygiene, fire and emergency medical services, pharmacy technology, medical technology and many more.

Lynda Hernandez, UAA’s Allied Health Student Success coordinator, will discuss the options available.

Many of the programs have very specific application, admission and prerequisite requirements. One-on-one advising appointments can be pre-scheduled by emailing lynda@uaa.alaska.edu or calling Hernandez at (907) 786-4894.

Need OSHA-focused continuing education?

KPC’s Anchorage Extension Site, in partnership with the University of Washington and the U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will be offering three, OSHA-focused continuing education classes in October and November.

Classes will be delivered in 4-day intensives, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Standards for General Industry (OSHA A11) will be offered Oct. 19-22 and will cover federal and state regulatory policies and health and safety principles for general industry, with an emphasis on high hazards.

Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards (OSHA 2045) will be offered Nov. 2-5 and will focus on recognizing machinery hazards through a hands-on approach to machine inspection.

There will also be a course offered for trainers called OSHA Standards for General Industry (OSHA 501) held Nov. 30-Dec. 3.

This course offers participants the opportunity to become authorized outreach trainers for general industry and to be able to conduct the 10-hour and 30-hour voluntary compliance courses.

In order to be eligible for the course, participants must have taken OSHA 511 and have five years of general industry safety experience.

Online registration for these courses is available at https://osha.washington.edu/ . The courses will be held at KPC’s Anchorage Extension Site, room 120, located in the UAA University Center at 3901 Old Seward Highway.

For more information, email llkreps@kpc.alaska.edu or call Lynda Kreps at 907-786-6421.

KPC receives awards at AAEA annual conference

Three KPC staff members and the KRC Learning Center were honored by the Alaska Adult Education Association at their annual conference on Sept. 25.

KPC received four of the five awards presented for outstanding work supporting Adult Basic Education; there are 20 ABE programs in Alaska.

The award winners included Carol Swartz, Kachemak Bay Campus director, for her outstanding long-term contributions to lifelong learning and the adult education field.

The KRC Learning Center received the association’s 2015 program award for creative innovation in curriculum, instruction, community organization and service. Sharon Christopher, former KRC AmeriCorps member and current staff member, received the volunteer award for her commitment to the ABE program, and Thelma Musgrove, longtime KRC Learning Center office manager, received the administrative award for assistance in the development of the ABE program.