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New Jersey Chapter - American Medical Technologists |
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PHOENIX RISING
In memoriam of Evangeline Semple
Septmeber 2008 - Vol. VII published bi-annualIy by the N.J. State Society of the AMT
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Message from our President:It saddens me to inform the membership that after the last newsletter of the year our wonderful Editor, Kathleen Voldish, will no longer be available to do our newsletter. Kathleen told me she would help the new editor. Kim Angelastro is going to take over, Thank You, Kim. There were NJ members at the national convention of AMT held in Providence, Rhode Island. Pam, Jennifer, Mary Lee, Beverly and Kim had a fine time, and attended very interesting seminars all week. The Welcome Reception was a good time. I won the basket from Michigan, Kim won the basket from Missouri and Beverly won the basket from Arizona. We received Honor Roll State Award for the second year. The Society also won the Leona Lyons Carter Award for the most improved State Society. Richard Huysie, the Board of Directors, and I would like to give the Membership the credit for receiving these awards. We all had a wonderful time in Providence. It was restaurant week so we were able to eat at fine restaurants for some of our meals. I was so happy not to be the only New Jersey person there. I had people to eat with and we attended some of the same seminars. The members that came found out that it is not easy to get to all the meetings. You are up early and going to bed late. The National Office has introduced its new Logo. You will see a copy on the National web site or at the fall meeting of NJSS of AMT October 25 & 26. I want to have a nice turn out for the October meeting. We will see you there!!! Sincerely your president, Pam Sharp, RMA Message from the District Councilor – Feb. 2008The 70th American Medical Technologist Educational Program and National Meeting was held July 7-12, 2008, in Providence, Rhode Island, and I hope you were a part of it! The close proximity of the convention site to our states made it an affordable trip, and it was wonderful to see so many of our Eastern District members there! The weather was great, and the educational sessions were outstanding. I was very proud to see so many National Award winners from the Eastern District. Congratulations to all the award winners: Honor Roll Society Winners:
Eastern District National Award Winners:
Electronic publications are moving forward, and states were given the “green light” to publish their newsletters/journals on the state websites if they so desire, in addition to hard copies. The Publications Committee worked on some of the issues dealing with Electronic Publications, and there will be more news on this topic as the details are worked out. AMT has a new logo, and will have a new look to the AMT website in the near future. The website is being redesigned to be more “user-friendly” and modern. In addition, AMT will be sending out surveys to a small group of its members asking for feedback on several issues. If you receive this survey, please be sure to complete it – AMT is YOUR organization, and wants to better serve its members! Your new National Officers for 2009 elected at the National Meeting are:
National Medical Assistant’s Week is October 20-24, 2008, and the theme is, “Medical Assistants – Taking the Pulse of Our Nation”. Please plan to promote this event that recognizes medical assistants’ vital role, contributions, and efforts in health care and to raise awareness of the profession. Important dates to mark on your calendar: National Conventions meeting dates
Eastern District State Society meeting dates
In closing, I would like to encourage you to attend your next state society meeting. Your officers work hard and need the support of the membership. Volunteer to work on a committee, or assist with a meeting. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your District Councilor. Feel free to contact me if I can assist you in any way. Sincerely, Janet Crigler, MT(ASCP, AMT), CIC Eastern District Councilor Contact information: Email: jcrigler@fghi.com Message from the Outgoing EditorAfter 3 years of filling the position of editor of Phoenix Rising I will be turning over the position to Kim Angelastro. I have been long involved with the AMT on a State and national level and feel it is time to start slowing down and head toward retirement. I will still be a speaker in the NJ, Florida and National AMT in the coming years. It has been a great pleasure and honor to work with the NJ AMT state officers. I know how hard they all work to make our state society and great one. Respectfully, Kathleen Voldish, CLC(AMT) Message from the New EditorHello everyone, I am Kim Angelastro, AHI, RPT, RMA, CMHT. As a member of the AMT for 8 years and of the NJ AMT for the past year, I am excited to be a part of this award winning and ever growing State Society as your new Phoenix Rising Editor. As we prepare for our October 25th and 26th Society meeting at the Trenton Marriot at Lafayette Yard in Trenton NJ, we hope to see you there. This opportunity allows you to learn more about the subjects in this newsletter and much more while earning your mandatory CEU’s for your certifications. Suggestions, ideas, pictures, and other information from all of our AMT members of all disciplines would be greatly appreciated. Did you celebrate an anniversary with AMT? Did you just pass your certification exam? We want to hear about it and be a part of your big moment. Thanks to Kathleen for all help with my transition. Sincerely, Kimberly Angelastro, AHI, RPT, RMA AMT NJ State Officers
An Award Winning State Society – NJ AMT!!!The NJ AMT was awarded 2 awards at the AMT National Convention in July 2008. Honor Roll Society – A society that continues to represent the AMT within the community and has met all requirements of a state society. And Leona Lyons Carter Award – Awarded to one society who has greatly improved and shown great growth throughout the year. The Honor Society Award and the Leona Lyons Carter Award won by NJ AMT at the Annual Meeting of AMT, July 2008. Pam Sharp, President of NJ AMT (left) and Janet Crigler, Eastern District Councilor (right) proudly displaying the Leona Lyons Carter Award. AMT Proctors needed in North & South JerseyCan you give a few hours of your time to proctor an AMT examination? We desperately need proctors in both South and North Jersey. You must be an active member of the AMT to proctor. The job responsibilities simply include:
The AMT pays $50 honorarium (tax free!) for your time (about 4 hours) and will pay per mile (.36/mile) for travel over 30 miles with a maximum of 200 miles. Contact Pam Sharp if you would like to help. E-mail: Pdsharp@Erols.com or www.njamt.com Visit Our NJAMT Web SiteHave you visited our NJ AMT web site??? You can find information on upcoming seminars as well as job postings in NJ. If you have a position open – or know of an opening - let us know and we can help get information about the job opportunity out to members. www.njamt.org New Jersey MRSA LawNew Jersey signed emergency legislation which became effective on September 1, 2007 that requires general hospitals (licensed by the state) to implement an infection prevention program to eradicate Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) in their ICU’s or other critical care area’s if the hospital does not have an ICU. Under this law, hospitals will eventually have to report positive tests to the state department of health and senior services. The program will be expanded to other areas of the hospital in a timely manor. Strategies that hospitals must adopt include:
While the new law has made many issues very clear there are still areas that need to be better addressed. More information will be published as the program gets underway. Article submitted by Kathleen Voldish, CLC(AMT), POC Consultants Reference: Keefe, Sandy. Eliminating MRSA, Advance for Nurses, October 1, 2007. Come learn more about MRSA, from Mrs. Randi Haftel, Department Head of Chemistry and Biology Department at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Media, PA at our NJ AMT Annual Meeting on October 25th and 26th
Newly Certified? Need CEU’s? Earn your CEU’s at the NJ State Society Meeting in Trenton NJ, October 25th and 26th 2008. It’s a great way to earn credits learn more about your NJ AMT. Guideline for Multi-dose VialsThis past winter, several cases of needle and syringe misuse made headlines. Patients made complaints to the Board of Health and OSHA. Offices were inspected and found to be in violation of numerous infection control laws. Lawsuits are currently pending due to these allegations. The improper use of needles, syringes and of multi - dose medication vials can result in transmission of blood borne pathogens (e.g. hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV). Each facility should review their policy for using multi- dose medication vials and train each employee that administers medications on the proper safety for drawing up and administering medications. Proper Techniques for Safety (taken from OSHA and CDC documents):
Additional Safety Precautions:
Additional Comments:
Multi-dose Vial Safety:
Article submitted by Kathleen Voldish, CLC(AMT), POC Consultants References: Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, FR 1910.1030, 1992. Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Needlesticks and Other Sharps Injuries, FR 29 - part 1910. Coffey, Thorpe, Bogovic. Clinical Guidelines - Multi Dose Vials, July 29, 2005. CNA Allert Bulletin, Needle and Syringe Reuse - Infection Risk, August 2006. Lester, Rodney. Syringe Reuse Transmits Infection, November 2007. MMWR. Improper infection-control practices during employee vaccination programs, December 24, 1993. Needle and Syringe Usage. Wish to know more about Point of Care Techniques and other Clinical information, come see Dr. A. Hayes at our NJ AMT Annual Meeting, Saturday October 25th. Register now, seats are limited. Tentative schedule of NJ AMT Society Meeting(Note: Schedule is subject to change at anytime as deemed necessary by the Board of NJ AMT).
Cost of Meeting - $65.00 per person. Parking costs will be covered by the NJ AMT. Directions to Trenton Marriott will be mailed back to you upon receipt of registration: Send your registration form (click here for Registration Form) and fees to: Pamela Sharp 11 Washington Blvd. Stratford, NJ 08084 We look forward to seeing you there. Your attendance is a great way to meet other members, gain useful field information and complete the CEUs required to maintain your certifications. Publishing Information: The Phoenix Rising is published by the N.J. AMT twice a year. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Medical Technologists. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or revise materials submitted for publication. To View Old Copies of PHOENIX RISING Click Below:
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