We’ve all experienced the anxiety that comes with visiting a doctor or hospital. In some cases, a negative first impression is enough to make someone leave, even if it means missing out on essential healthcare. That first impression is critical, and as a patient access specialist, you’ll play a key role in ensuring patients feel welcome and supported from the start.

In a world where emergencies can strike at any moment, being equipped with life-saving skills is not just an asset; it's a responsibility. Portland Community College (PCC) takes pride in offering customized American Heart Association (AHA) training options designed to empower individuals and organizations alike. Explore the transformative possibilities available atPCC's AHA Custom Solutions and embark on a journey to enhance your preparedness for critical situations.

At Portland Community College (PCC), we understand the paramount importance of heart health in ensuring a vibrant and fulfilling life. Our American Heart Association (AHA) program stands as a beacon of education and empowerment, providing individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to safeguard their cardiovascular well-being.

In bustling Portland, a promising career awaits in the field of Optician Assistance. At PCC, you can kickstart your journey with just one term in our Optician Assistant Training program. By the program's end, you can even hand your resume to a potential employer.

Across the nation, countless individuals participate in American Heart Association (AHA) trainings each year, and many of these invaluable courses are readily available at the Portland Community College’s Institute for Health Professionals. These cardiology-focused trainings not only equip healthcare professionals but also individuals in non-healthcare settings with the essential skills needed to support or save lives during cardiac emergencies. As the premier provider of such trainings in the United States, the AHA offers evidence-based strategies crucial in a cardiac event.

Narvelle Delabruere, BS, MSc, CCRA, CCRP is an instructor in the Foundations of Clinical Research Program. 

Careers in medical coding are on the rise, and for good reason. It is a rising field in the medical industry and an immensely fulfilling career path as you form the connection between patients, medical providers, and insurance companies. 

As a medical coder, you will translate complex diagnoses, procedures, medications, and other doctor's notes into simple, standardized alphanumeric codes. These codes have a few different purposes: 

• They enter the patient record to make it easier for their doctor and other providers to refer to and learn about the patient in the future. 
• Insurance companies use them to understand what the patient needed and how it might be covered under their policy. 

Coders in the medical field are also responsible for maintaining the accuracy of patient records and verifying those records to ensure that insurance companies have everything they need to process billing. Medical terminology, an updated understanding of current coding guidelines, and knowledge of basic medical concepts will all help you succeed in this field. 

In today's post-pandemic world, mental health struggles have become increasingly more prevalent, affecting people evenly across every socioeconomic status, age, gender, and geographic location.  

Because of this, more resources are available for those who are struggling. MHFA and ASIST courses offer invaluable tools that you can use to help someone facing mental health and substance use challenges and to keep someone safe who has shown signs of suicidal risk.  

Let's look at each course and how it can benefit you, your community, and the world around you.