Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 10-16 in 2024) is a yearly observance intended to promote the importance of healthcare safety and patient well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe care is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In this article, we learn more about how Conexus Academy helps international healthcare professionals to deliver better patient care from Jacquelyn Daigle, Senior Clinical Educator, and Haley Armijo, Clinical Nurse Educator.
At Conexus MedStaff, we prioritize the success of our international registered nurses and medical technologists in the U.S., enabling them to deliver optimal patient care and enhance the well-being of their communities across the United States. Through Conexus Academy, we provide tailored learning for each healthcare professional's unique needs to build confidence through education and practice, and to support a successful healthcare career in the U.S.
How Conexus Academy help nurses and medical technologists improve patient care
Personalized training
Every healthcare professional sponsored by Conexus is required to participate in our education program before deployment to the U.S. and during their placement with our hospital clients. Our Healthcare 101 and 102 programs are designed to assist international registered nurses and medical technologists with their transition into U.S. healthcare. This includes ensuring they are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which dictates how to handle patients’ Private Healthcare Information (PHI). Our training for registered nurses in the U.S. covers topics from medication administration, critical thinking skills, and communication, giving nurses real world scenarios to practice their skills. For medical technologists, we cover specimen handling and specimen integrity, focusing on the importance of accurate test results so that doctors and nurses can correctly diagnose patients and administer medicines.
Technology and innovation
Conexus Academy utilizes technology to revolutionize learning for healthcare professionals. Prior to deployment, nurses engage in virtual simulation or virtual reality experiences. This immersive approach places them in patient scenarios, prompting critical thinking and guiding them through necessary steps to identify and address patient needs effectively.
Comprehensive support
Our education team supports nurses and medical technologists throughout their entire assignment, completing monthly check-ins during orientation, and connecting regularly during their placement to provide guidance and reassurance. According to Jacquelyn, Conexus Senior Clinical Educator, “We provide detailed digital resource guides with hyperlinked instructional videos covering every area of the core lab. I call these bench-top references because our medical technologists in particular can have these resources next to them while they’re performing their tasks.”
Set up for success
Ensuring the long-term success of our nurses and medical technologists starts in our selection process. Through selection interviews that are tailored to identify each healthcare professional’s strengths and experiences, we strive to place them in roles where they are set up for success, with the aim of reducing the potential for errors and improving patient outcomes. By assessing a healthcare professional’s performance and recognizing their background, we can redirect them to suitable areas that they can excel in. We believe in the continuous growth and development of our healthcare professionals, even if their initial placement differs from their desired role. Haley, our Clinical Nurse Educator, provided an example of this; “a nurse initially aiming for an ICU position in the U.S. demonstrated stronger skills in general medical during assessments. Recognizing her potential, we redirected her to a suitable position based on her stronger skills, and she excelled in the role. Despite starting in a different area, she's now thriving and actively working towards her goal of becoming an ICU nurse, supported by training offered through Conexus Academy.”
Professional development
Conexus Academy prioritizes initial training and emphasizes ongoing professional development for healthcare professionals. As part of our commitment to the growth of our international registered nurses and medical technologists, we provide free access to continuing education units (CEUs) through our Media Lab, specifically designed to help medical technologists meet their licensure requirements. Registered nurses also have access to the Education Advancement for Registered Nurses (EARN) Scholarship, allowing them the opportunity to advance their clinical knowledge, skills, or education to further enhance the level and service of care provided to their community.
Are you an international registered nurse or medical technologist looking to start a new career in the U.S.? Find out how we can help.