Grief is a normal and natural response to loss. It is not a problem to be solved, but rather a way of coping. This course discusses the basics of the grief process, the different types of grief, and ways of expressing grief. It also discusses tools to help you stay present and resilient as a healthcare professional supporting individuals and families.

This course explains the concept of a professional therapeutic boundary and how it differs from a personal relationship. You will learn about the ethical role of the clinical practitioner in establishing appropriate roles and boundaries, the difference between boundary crossings and boundary violations, how to appropriately use social media and other technology, and how to recognize situations with high potential for harmful boundary violations. As you master these skills, you will become more effective in maintaining an appropriate relationship between you and your clients.

Hospitals and providers currently receive reimbursement by meeting criteria established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Quality measures and length of stay data are measures that affect hospital reimbursement. Yet the patient’s experience of care also remains a key factor in hospital reimbursement models. CMS uses the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey to measure the patient’s experience, and nursing care is one part of the survey. Hospitals that perform well on the HCAHPS ratings are more likely to receive better reimbursement and bonuses. Nurses impact hospital ratings and reimbursement by providing the patient with a positive care experience.

The patient interview is the most important part of your exam. Gaining the patient’s perspective and learning more about issues important to them can guide you in developing patient-specific care plans. This course will discuss how to conduct patient-centered interviews. You will learn interviewing methods to effectively elicit the important details about a patient's reason for presenting to the clinic. Information will also be presented on how to approach challenging situations that arise during patient encounters.

While most health centers have some quality improvement (QI) functions established, many have not implemented a comprehensive, organization-wide QI program. Improving patient care and outcomes is the primary goal of QI programs. There are also financial benefits to providing quality care, especially as our healthcare system, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), moves towards a “pay for performance” model (NEJM Catalyst, 2018b). This course will explain a comprehensive approach to implementing QI systems. You will learn about the essential elements of a QI program, including principles, program infrastructure, and process components. You will also learn how you can put the Model for Improvement QI methodology into action. Finally, you will learn how to identify quality-related problems using proactive and reactive strategies.

The experience of pain affects people of all ages, including children. Many factors contribute to the undertreatment of pain in this age group. Children’s health outcomes and quality of life are adversely affected without proper recognition and pain management. The course examines the pathophysiology of pain and pain assessment strategies appropriate for different ages and developmental levels. The course will also review pediatric pain assessment tools.

Ensuring that a healthcare system is culturally competent can reduce health disparities. Healthcare employees who have effective interpersonal and working relationships are essential to successful healthcare outcomes. Healthcare staff provide care to individuals from many backgrounds, so it is essential that they get proper Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. DEI training should be integrated into the standard hiring and onboarding process for the entire healthcare workforce. The goal of this course is to provide healthcare employees with training about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that mandates unpaid leave, job protection, and other benefits for eligible employees who face specific family or medical challenges. As an employer or supervisor, you need to know what obligations the FMLA imposes on your organization when an employee requests leave from their job. This course introduces you to key provisions of the FMLA such as which employees have rights under the FMLA and the circumstances under which they are eligible to take protected leave. 

The goal of this course is to educate administrators and human resource (HR) professionals in all healthcare settings about the Family Medical Leave Act. 

Military cultural competence is essential to effectively engage, understand, and support active duty service members, reservists, and veterans in behavioral health treatment. Those in the military represent a specific cultural group. This course will provide you with an introduction to military culture. You will learn about the overall structure of the military, the core values of the primary branches, and the unique experiences of specific sub-populations within the military. This information will help you more effectively engage with, understand, respect, and support the military service members who seek your services.

The goal of this course is to provide addiction, behavioral health counseling, case management/care management, marriage and family therapy, nursing, psychologist, and social worker professionals in health and human services settings with information about military culture in general, the effects of military culture on sub-populations, and how behavioral health concerns affect military service members and veterans.