Welcome to the Maine Workforce Innovation Network (WIN) webpage! Ready to explore the heart of our initiative? Click on the Table of Contents to navigate through the sections. Uncover valuable resources, gain insights into our mission, and join us in creating a positive impact together.
Table of Contents
- Overview of WIN
- Onboarding Resources for New Employees
- Supervisors/Manager Resources
- Training Resources
- WIN Digest Archive
- WIN Member Login
- Contact Us
Overview of WIN
The Maine Workforce Innovation Network Program is a funded program through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program. The Maine WIN is a collaborative group of 11 Maine FQHCs and training partners who strategize and work to enhance the recruitment, training, and retention of critical health center community health support staff: community health workers, medical assistants, and dental assistants.
Mission
Maine’s federally qualified health centers will be fully staffed with well-trained, engaged employees providing high-quality care to their communities.
Vision
The Maine Workforce Innovation Network, drawing resources from the collaborative group of participating FQHCs and training partners, serves patients with high-quality care through a committed and empowered workforce.
Onboarding Resources for New Employees
What are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)?
- FQHC 101 presentation—health equity
- Welcome to Health Center Scope of Project Video: Introduction to Health Center Program
- NACHC Health Center 101 video
- “A Secret No More” Video
- Commonly Used Acronyms in Health Centers—NACHC
- Links to one pager info graphics of NACHC breakdown of CHCs
Understanding Health Equity and Social Drivers of Health
- SDOH 101
- Cultural humility and responsiveness
- Health Equity and Maine’s Community Health Centers
Understanding MaineCare
Supervisors/Manager Resources
- ACU Onboarding Checklist
- Supportive supervision resources—registration for supervision training
Training Resources
Medical Assistant Training
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of MAs and CHWs is projected to grow 14% and 7% for DAs from 2022 to 2032 which is much quicker than other professions.
Medical assistants are critical members of a community health center care team. MAs working in primary care often have expanded roles than other care settings such as hospitals or private practices. Traditionally, MAs may escort patients to an exam room, take vital signs, document reason for visit or chief complaints, or support procedures if needed. However, the role of MAs in the primary care setting is growing. Here are some roles and responsibilities MAs may have in a CHC setting[2]:
- Utilize interpersonal, cultural/linguistic, skills to provide health education and coaching to support patients in accessing and understanding care and navigate the medical system.
- Assist with documentation and charting in the EHR to analyze patient data, identify care gaps.
- Support quality improvement initiatives.
- Provide supervision, training, and support to other MAs and assist with coordinating workflows.
- Assist with patient navigation and care coordination.
MA Training Opportunities
- CareerStep Medical Assistant Training Program
- Maine Community Colleges
- Additional Training Resources
- MA Enhancement Toolkits
Dental Assistant Training
Dental assistants are a pivotal component of the dental care team. They are important in keeping patients comfortable and ensuring everyday procedures run smoothly. Dental assistant roles may include:
- Sterilization, stocking, and preparing for the day’s procedures.
- Assisting with patient pre- and post- care.
- Assisting the practitioners with patient care in the conduct of examinations and materials preparation.
- Patient education and counseling on procedures.
- Engaging with patients and answering phone.
- Acts a patient’s advocate and liaison for preservation of patient’s rights.
DA Training Opportunities
- CareerStep Program
- Maine Community Colleges
CHW Training
Community Health Workers are trained and trusted public health workers who are respected by the people served and apply their unique understanding of the experience, socio-economic needs, language and/or culture of the communities served to:
- Act as a bridge between providers and individuals to promote health, reduce disparities, and improve service delivery.
- Advocate for individual and community needs.
In Community Health Centers, CHWs facilitate access and improves the quality of health care for patients through a range of activities such as outreach, case management, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. CHWs help individuals and communities adopt healthy behaviors and will conduct outreach for the FQHC and health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, improve individual and community health.
- MCD Global Health—link to CHW portal
- MCD Global Health is a public health nonprofit that offers CHW Core Competency Training to individuals who desire to become a CHW for their community. The CHW Core Competency aligns with the C3 Project CHW Roles and Competencies
MCD offers both online, self-paced training and live virtual group sessions. Topics include:
CHW Foundations
- Understanding public health
- Health and human rights
- Topics and issue in health
- Education and facilitation
- Communication skills
- Assessment, research, and evaluation
- Community capacity building and advocacy
Health Prevention and Disease Management
- Chronic conditions management: high blood pressure hypertension, diabetes
- Breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer
- Stroke Awareness and Prevention
- Telehealth basics for CHWs
- COVID-19 Basics
- Learn more
- Info about MEPCA CHW Peer Group
- Are you a CHW working in an FQHC and interested in conversing and learning with peers? Please reach out to Leslie Lorentzen (llorentzen@mepca.org) to join MPCA’s monthly CHW Peer Group
Other training opportunities:
Outreach and Enrollment trainings and resources
References
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5269548/
WIN Member Login
For WIN Members: Login
WIN Digest Archive
Contact Us
- Emily Ferry, Director of Workforce Intiatives, eferry@mepca.org
- Leslie Lorentzen, Workforce Program Manager, llorentzen@mepca.org
