Web-based Training and Resources for Medical Assistants Leslie Heyden, MA California Department of Public Health Immunization Branch Information and Education Section April 2, 2009

eziz.org

What you will learn CDPH needs assessment approach Data sources Results of data analysis Impact of data analysis on design of audience- centered training and website Audiences’ needs and how they were met

Background–Ongoing Issues Continued problems with vaccine loss and ordering errors Limited VFC field staff and time to train/educate increasing number of new VFC providers and staff Limited availability and access to classroom IZ training for medical assistants

Primary Target Audience Medical assistants in California VFC provider practices who are responsible for at least one of the following:  Administering vaccines  Proper storage and handling of vaccines  Ordering vaccines

Needs Analysis–Objectives Identify primary target audience (medical assistants) characteristics Identify MAs’ IZ training needs Identify additional VFC provider training/information/education needs Assess provider technological readiness (i.e. Is distance learning feasible?)

MAs: Responsibilities Training Tenure Providers: Willingness to allow access to training Technical ability to access training Type of practice

Needs Analysis–Methodology Send survey with VFC recertification letter (received responses) Interview  VFC field reps  VFC call center customer service reps  VFC program manager  VRC field services manager  Medical assistants  Instructors in medical assistant training programs Review existing training resources (print, classroom, online)

VFC Providers–Average MA Tenure

VFC Providers – Willingness If we build it, they will come. VerySomewhatUncertain Not

VFC Providers – Willingness How long can they stay?

Needs Analysis–Conclusions Distance learning is feasible elearning is optimal training delivery method Training is needed in these content areas:  VFC program info  Vaccine administration  Storage and handling  Vaccine inventory management

Solution–eziz.org New California VFC program website One-stop shop for California VFC providers Up-to-the- minute news about vaccine availability, and more 13

Repository of printable resources VFC forms, job aids, guidelines, posters, etc. 14

State-of-the-art “learning portal”

EZ-IZ elearning Curriculum Preparing Vaccines Administering Vaccines Storing Vaccine (June-July 2009) Monitoring Vaccine Temperatures (June-July 2009) Ordering Vaccines (TBD) Receiving Vaccines (TBD) Patient Education (TBD) Immunization Documentation (TBD) Others (TBD)

Instructional format 1.Pre-test 2.Lesson  Less than 15 minute to complete  Learner can quit and return later to same place 3.Post-test 4.Certificate of Completion Automatically prints with learner’s name

Multiple Choice Exercise

Drag & Drop Exercise

Video Skill Demonstration

Learning Management System Learning Management System (LMS)—software that automates the administration of training Is primary data source for monitoring & evaluation of elearning Registers users, tracks courses in curriculum, and records data from learners  Pretest  Lesson  Post-test Provides reports

Meets Needs of Medical Assistants Availability  24/7 Short self-paced, self-study interactive elearning lessons Videos of skill demonstrations Online, printable certificates of completion Intuitive navigation—regular computer users and people who play computer games can quickly begin surfing EZ-IZ

Meets Needs of VFC Providers Availability  24/7 Instant access to:  VFC program info and FAQs  Vaccine availability info  VFC forms (e.g., enrollment, ordering)  Job aids (e.g., temperature logs, immunization schedule, immunization site map) Online recertification Training for IZ staff  Free  Guaranteed consistent content and approach

Coming Soon–Storage & Handling Two new interactive elearning lessons  Storing Vaccines includes how to: Prepare a vaccine storage unit for storage Store vaccines in refrigerators and freezers Safeguard the storage unit power supply  Monitoring Vaccine Temperatures includes: Types of thermometers and how to read them How to read negative numbers How to complete refrigerator and freezer temperature logs How to respond to out-of-range temperatures Available late June/early July 2009

Storing Vaccines

Monitoring Vaccine Temperatures

Leslie Heyden Health Educator & Instructional Designer (510) Natalie Nakahara Creative Director (510)