PRN, Inc.

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Continuing Education Descriptions

Diabetes: Disease of the Masses:

This class gives an overview of the disease of Diabetes with detailed information on the types of Diabetes. It will explain definitions with signs, symptoms and treatments of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, foot care and the use of the HgA1C. There is detailed information with diagnosis and treatment of complications. We discuss the use of medications both oral and injectables used in the treatment of diabetes. We also spend some time discussing alternative treatment options and dietary issues revolving around the diagnosis of Diabetes.

Hepatitis A thru G: It’s easy to Catch:

This class gives an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the liver and its function. There are specific discussions of the disease of Hepatitis and how it affects the liver. The class will have a lengthy discussion of signs, symptoms, and epidemiology of the hepatitis virus. There is detailed discussion regarding the three most common hepatitis viruses and the treatment and prognosis for each.

Hepatitis C:  The Silent Epidemic:

This class presents a detailed discussion of the most common blood-borne pathogen affecting the United States today. We talk about who is at high risk to get this disease and where do they get it from. This is an eye opening class for most participants. The majority of the providers fit into a high risk category for this disease, and in most cases so do their clients.

Alzheimer’s Disease:

10% of Americans over the age of 65 will develop this disease. We discuss what that means to society and particularly the sandwich generation.  We discuss issues related to diagnosing the disease as well as signs and symptoms of the disease. We discuss treatment options for clients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. We spend a large amount of time in the class in discussion regarding the dynamics of communication between the client, the family and/or the caregiver.

Death and Dying: The Final Chapter:

This class takes a comprehensive look at the process of dying and how the caregiver/family member can prepare themselves as well as the client for the inevitable. We discuss and actually do advance directives on ourselves and talk about the impact of those decisions. We use the Moyer series on death and dying for this class as we follow several clients from terminal diagnosis to death.

Behavior Modification: Learning New Tricks:

The class takes a look at the dynamics of change in caregivers. We teach them how to do a self-assessment of their willingness to change their behavior. We then teach them how to make change in their lives. Through this training they can then assist their clients in changing their behavior.

HIV/AIDS: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:

This training explores how the human immunodeficiency virus infects the human body and why it is so difficult to control.  The students are taught about genotyping, diagnosing and the present treatment options available. Also explored is the global impact of this disease and its destructive path through Africa. The prognosis of this disease is chronicled with concerns of resurgence of the disease in particular populations. There are also discussions regarding the hope for a cure and where we are in this process.

Skin Care: The Body Protector:

This class looks at the basic structure of the skin and what happens to the skin when it is stressed and begins to break down. We look at levels of skin breakdown and the treatment of each. Preventative care is discussed and detailed for the provider. This is a major issue in abuse/neglect cases and in providers who are rushed home from rehabilitation centers before it is time.

Neurology:

This class looks at specific disease entities dealing in the nerve center of the brain or spinal cord and how they manifest themselves in the client. There are discussions involving diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the following disease processes: CVA, TIA, closed head injury, open head injury, etc.

Dental Care: It’s a BIG Problem:

This is a comprehensive look at the mouth and teeth and how they impact the entire body. We discuss diseased mouths as well as those that just need a tune up. We talk about the microorganisms that inhabit our mouths and how destructive they can be to the human body. We use skill stations to allow the provider to actually learn how to brush teeth properly, and to care for dentures. This has been a well received program that the providers really enjoy and learn a lot from.

Cardiovascular: Diseases of the Heart:

This class is a broad look at the diseases that can and does affect the heart. There is class discussion about the anatomy and physiology of the heart and what a diseased heart looks like. We discuss in detail cardiac problems their symptoms, diagnosing, treatment and prognosis. One leaves this class with an intimate look at the heart and all it does for our bodies and how destructive we are to it.

Point of View-Eye Syndromes: Dealing with Them:

This class looks at the diseases of the eye with an overview of the anatomy and physiology and how and what is affected in eye disease. The trainer takes one through the major maladies of the eye and gives the participant a hands on encounter with what one sees when affected with specific eye diseases. The trainer has extensive knowledge in this disease process since she is visually impaired. She uses training devices that bring the diseases into reality for the participants.

Dynamics of Disabilities and Your Working Relationship:

This course was created by a collaboration of persons with disabilities, personal assistants and other health care professionals. The objective of this course is to explore the many aspects of disability awareness including emotional and social issues.  The class participants will look at the history of disability rights and its legislation. It will also encourage the participants to explore ways in which the provider can enhance their job performance through professional awareness, conduct and communication. The major aim of this course is to improve the working relationship between the employer and employee through knowledge.

CPR/First Aid/AED:

This course takes the participant through the American Heart Associations Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation class as well as first aid.

The participants at the end of this class will be certified in CPR/First Aid and the use of the AED machine.

Cultural Awareness: The Multicultural State of our World:

This course seeks to allow the participants to explore their own culture and to get in touch with their beliefs, biases and prejudices. This course uses a great deal of group dynamics and discussion to bridge the cultural gap. It is a great tool for the providers to learn information about other cultures that they may come in contact with in the professional work environment.

Caregiver Burnout/Elder Abuse:

These two intensely personal subjects are taught in an interactive program where the caregiver gains remarkable insight into both subjects. Elder Abuse is often caused by caregiver burnout thus we can link the two together in the classroom. We use dramatic films to impact the learning curve and to make an impact with the participants. The clientele that we teach are often in the later stages of burnout. This class can help them thru the transition from burnout to good health.

Nutrition: How to in the Client’s Home:

This class takes a close look at nutrition and how it impacts the client’s care.  Providers will be taught how to cook low fat and nutritious meals with out breaking the bank or using fast food.

The class highlights the way food is used in the body and where the nutrients are hidden. It is a very good class for the caregiver to take when nutrition is not a part of their vocabulary.

Tuberculosis/Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureous (MRSA):

This program is based on the increase in the number of issues regarding tuberculosis and the increased diagnosis of clients in home care with MRSA. This is a very important topic for the provider to be aware of because of their vulnerability secondary to their exposure to both of these diseases in the work environment. This class highlights the signs and symptoms of both of these highly infectious diseases and what the provider’s role is in that care. You will actually see pictures of what TB and MRSA look like.

Nursing Delegation:

Nurse Delegation is a Washington State program dictated by law that allows a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) to train a qualified Nursing Assistant to do specific personal care tasks for a client. These tasks are different than the standard personal care tasks and without successful completion of this course a caregiver is not allowed to do them. This is an intensive 10 hour classroom experience that after the provider has completed the course successfully he/she may be eligible to do Nursing Delegated tasks if all other criteria are met.