Continuous Learning for Individuals, Management & Business

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, the importance of medical coders cannot be underestimated. This in-demand career allows healthcare offices and hospitals to run smoothly and provide patient care. Although not directly involved with patients as a coder, you will play a vital role in ensuring that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can continue to do their jobs well.

With a background as an optician dating back to his teenage years in his home country of England, Andrew Bruce is highly skilled in the industry and is honored to be a Master Optician. The Optician ABO Test Prep course that he instructs will be his first with Portland Community College. Continue reading to learn more about his experience and passion.

Orientations offered by PCC’s Small Business Development Center (at no cost!) are a great way to learn about the opportunities we offer to help turn  business ideas into action. A typical orientation includes a small group of future entrepreneurs – but may also include sole-proprietors and small business owners seeking to find efficient, practical and effective solutions to common business-related challenges. You’ll leave our 2-hour orientation having identified new resources, and with an action plan to guide your next steps.

With over 35 years of professional banking experience under his belt, Harlan Barcus began his work with the PCC Small Business Develop Center and Oregon Small Business Development Center Network Capital Access Team in October 2019.

Earlier this year PCC employees Stacy Bone (Institute for Health Professionals) and Ginny Jorgensen (Integrated Community Dental Assisting Instructor) traveled to China with A-dec, a leading dental equipment manufacturer located in Newberg, Oregon. Bone said her goal was to help educate and encourage dentists to utilize the benefits of having a dental assistants working chair-side, a practice that isn’t yet common in China. Bone and Jorgensen connected with Chinese audiences and shared best practices during demonstrations for prospective dental assistants.

When it comes to natural medicine, Ayurveda is an ancient practice that has shown results over thousands of years. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to improve health through holistic approaches to healing. By taking an Ayurvedic training, it is possible to gain personalized benefits for your health. The first step of any training is to learn the basics. 

The following is a special chai recipe offered by our Ayurvedic Yoga Health Program Instructor, Ann Wagoner. This balancing (Satvic) tea is wonderful in fall. Add spices for your constitution (Dosha). 

Jackie Babicky-Peterson has been with Portland Community College since 2001. With a well-versed background, Jackie teaches the Business Design Series for PCC's Small Business Design Center. Keep reading to learn more about the program. 

Patient access specialists are frontline healthcare workers who provide routine and essential services in all medical settings. These include medical offices, hospitals, clinics and other facilities.

“When life is hard, you have to change”
Shannon Hoon, Blind Melon 

In life, change is inevitable, including in the workplace. Today’s workplace is continuously shifting, ushering in a new norm with a variety of changes and disruptions. This can bring about positive change and growth, or lead to negative consequences.