People wanting to enter the healthcare field quickly can take advantage of three certificate programs offered by Jackson State Community College.

Students can become certified as a clinical medical assistant, patient care technician, or medical coder after taking the required courses and then passing a national certification exam, said Chrystal Taylor, MALS, RN, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Health Sciences.

“Typically, students can be ready for the national certification in one year, after taking six to eight courses,” she said. “It’s a good way to enter the job market.” The programs are also attractive for people already working in healthcare who want to be certified in a particular area, she added.

The three certificate programs can also lead to associate degrees with about another year of classes.

Classes in each area begin again Oct. 14 as Jackson State starts the second seven weeks of its first semester. Students can enroll through the college’s Admissions Office.

Each of the programs prepares the student for different careers in the healthcare field, Taylor explained.

A certified clinical medical assistant, for example, can run the front office for a small medical practice as well as assist with direct patient care. Students in this program can also focus on becoming EKG technicians and phlebotomy technicians where they can work in hospital, clinic, and home healthcare settings.

A certified patient care technician usually finds a job in assisted living or long-term care facilities or a hospital, providing basic patient care such as feeding and bathing.

The Medical Coding Certificate Program, the newest of the three, is designed for students pursuing an entry position in medical coding. This career includes compiling, processing, and maintaining medical records for a hospital or clinic and meeting specific medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements.

All three programs offer hands-on learning in the form of a clinical rotation in healthcare facilities, Taylor said. Students who do well in their clinical rotation often are hired by the facility.

Taylor weaves soft skills like promptness, a good work ethic, and dressing appropriately into each course. Students leave the program with a well-polished resume, she added.

She has high expectations for her students, she said. “I want students to perform in class the way they should perform in a clinical setting.”

The purpose is to help students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to get a job and start that new career, she explained. “The jobs are there. The healthcare job market is definitely growing.”

For more information go to Jackson State Community College online.

People wanting to enter the healthcare field quickly can take advantage of three certificate programs offered by Jackson State Community College.

Students can become certified as a clinical medical assistant, patient care technician, or medical coder after taking the required courses and then passing a national certification exam, said Chrystal Taylor, MALS, RN, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Health Sciences.

“Typically, students can be ready for the national certification in one year, after taking six to eight courses,” she said. “It’s a good way to enter the job market.” The programs are also attractive for people already working in healthcare who want to be certified in a particular area, she added.

The three certificate programs can also lead to associate degrees with about another year of classes.

Classes in each area begin again Oct. 14 as Jackson State starts the second seven weeks of its first semester. Students can enroll through the college’s Admissions Office.

Each of the programs prepares the student for different careers in the healthcare field, Taylor explained.

A certified clinical medical assistant, for example, can run the front office for a small medical practice as well as assist with direct patient care. Students in this program can also focus on becoming EKG technicians and phlebotomy technicians where they can work in hospital, clinic, and home healthcare settings.

A certified patient care technician usually finds a job in assisted living or long-term care facilities or a hospital, providing basic patient care such as feeding and bathing.

The Medical Coding Certificate Program, the newest of the three, is designed for students pursuing an entry position in medical coding. This career includes compiling, processing, and maintaining medical records for a hospital or clinic and meeting specific medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements.

All three programs offer hands-on learning in the form of a clinical rotation in healthcare facilities, Taylor said. Students who do well in their clinical rotation often are hired by the facility.

Taylor weaves soft skills like promptness, a good work ethic, and dressing appropriately into each course. Students leave the program with a well-polished resume, she added.

She has high expectations for her students, she said. “I want students to perform in class the way they should perform in a clinical setting.”

The purpose is to help students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to get a job and start that new career, she explained. “The jobs are there. The healthcare job market is definitely growing.”

For more information go to Jackson State Community College online.

Leaders Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative based in Jackson, Tenn., has been named one of the 2020’s Best Credit Unions to Work For for the second consecutive year. Credit Union Journal has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. The 2020 Best list is made up of the top 50 credit unions, and Leaders placed number 7 in their asset category and 18 overall. The full Best Credit Unions to Work For list is featured in American Banker, formerly Credit Union Journal.

“We are very pleased to be named in the top twenty of credit union workplaces in the nation,” Todd Swims, president and CEO of Leaders Credit Union, said. “At Leaders, we know service excellence begins with our Financial Champions, and our job at Leaders is to take care of them so that together, we can serve our members.”

Leaders Credit Union serves West Tenn. and currently has 165 employees in Jackson, Milan, Union City, and Bartlett and has been named the Best Place to Bank by the Jackson Sun Readers Choice Awards for the past six years.

“Leaders champions (employees) are passionate, genuine, and advocate for our members,” said Erin Mitchell, VP of Champions. “Our reputation precedes us and therefore, we attract others that fit our brand mold.”

Leaders benefits and company culture play a large role in the success of the 63-year-old company. In addition to standard employee benefits, Leaders offers four weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Leaders subscribes to the AirMedCare Network, a team of life-flight helicopters that can transport employees during a medical emergency for free. Leaders encourages wellness by covering the membership cost of a local gym. As an added benefit, a Sam’s membership is covered by Leaders for all full-time employees.

In addition to the benefit perks, Leaders employees share that the company culture and relationships with fellow employees play a large role in their overall employee satisfaction. Employees can utilize a private web forum to leave positive feedback and recognition for their colleagues. Leaders attracts millennial and Gen Z employees by offering a relaxed atmosphere at its e-branch where there is no dress code and music is always playing. During the height of the pandemic, Leaders frequently provided lunch to employees and made every effort to keep all staff safe and updated. Also, the company works to keep work fun. Recently in celebration of the CEO celebrating 30 years, all staff dressed in 90’s attire with 90’s retro designs running in the branches.

Determining the Best Credit Unions to Work involved a two-step process. The first consisted of evaluating each participating credit union’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees concerning their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the final ranking.

“Credit unions, deservedly, are recognized for their commitment to the communities they serve, said Aaron Passman, Editor in Chief of Credit Union Journal. “Our annual ranking recognizes those that go above and beyond in terms of their employees’ job satisfaction, career development, and personal growth.”

To be considered for participation, credit unions had to have at least 25 employees working in the U.S. and been in business a minimum of one year. Best Companies Group managed the registration and survey process and also analyzed the data and to determine the final ranking.

“Being a member at Leaders Credit Union is a great experience. Working at Leaders is even better,” noted Mitchell. “We are constantly growing and looking for outstanding employees who make a positive impact internally and externally.”

To learn more about available positions at Leaders, visit LeadersCU.org/contact-us/careers/ and click on the careers portal.

About Leaders Credit Union

Leaders Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Jackson, Tenn. Leaders was established in 1957 by five Jackson educators and has grown to over 55,000 members and eight branches across West Tenn. As one of the largest and most stable credit unions in the nation, Leaders exists to serve the needs of its members and lead the way on their behalf. Leaders was awarded the 2015 - 2020 Best Place to Bank by Jackson Sun’s Readers’ Choice and was placed in the top 1% of credit unions nationwide by depositaccounts.com. Leaders is an Equal Housing Lender and is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. For more information about Leaders Credit Union, visit the website.

In August, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors approved a Pandemic Relief Credit for all TVA customers.

On September 24, 2020, the Jackson Energy Authority Board of Directors authorized an Electric System Service retail rate reduction consistent with the TVA rate reduction. Based on energy consumption history this authorization will mean $1.7 million to JEA customers across all standard service classes.

“The continued impact of this pandemic on our communities is unprecedented and creates continued economic uncertainty,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA President and CEO. “Because of the TVA team’s strong operational and financial performance under challenging circumstances this past year, we have an opportunity and responsibility to use TVA’s resources and expertise to provide continued support for customers, businesses and communities.”

Monte Cooper, Sr. Vice-President of Jackson Energy Authority’s Electric Distribution stated, “We are pleased to cooperate with the TVA in providing economic relief to our customers in a time when it is most needed.”

The TVA Pandemic Relief Credit equates to a 2.5% reduction in power costs for one year beginning October 1, 2020.

Summarized Jackson Energy Authority President/CEO, Jim Ferrell, “We appreciate TVA’s initiative and putting decision making in the local provider’s hands. This enables us to make decisions beneficial to our customers in these unprecedented times.”

In August, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors approved a Pandemic Relief Credit for all TVA customers.

On September 24, 2020, the Jackson Energy Authority Board of Directors authorized an Electric System Service retail rate reduction consistent with the TVA rate reduction. Based on energy consumption history this authorization will mean $1.7 million to JEA customers across all standard service classes.

“The continued impact of this pandemic on our communities is unprecedented and creates continued economic uncertainty,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA President and CEO. “Because of the TVA team’s strong operational and financial performance under challenging circumstances this past year, we have an opportunity and responsibility to use TVA’s resources and expertise to provide continued support for customers, businesses and communities.”

Monte Cooper, Sr. Vice-President of Jackson Energy Authority’s Electric Distribution stated, “We are pleased to cooperate with the TVA in providing economic relief to our customers in a time when it is most needed.”

The TVA Pandemic Relief Credit equates to a 2.5% reduction in power costs for one year beginning October 1, 2020.

Summarized Jackson Energy Authority President/CEO, Jim Ferrell, “We appreciate TVA’s initiative and putting decision making in the local provider’s hands. This enables us to make decisions beneficial to our customers in these unprecedented times.”

The City of Jackson, TN receives a $35,500 AARP Community Challenge grant. Pictured from left are Jackson Energy Authority's Ben Louvins, Jackson Transit Authority's Travis Franklin, City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, Union University student Sydney Zemke, Union University's Jason Garrett, Union University student Carly Bryant, City of Jackson's Lauren Kirk, United Way of West Tennessee's Matt Marshall and Jackson Chamber's Kyle Spurgeon.

The City of Jackson, TN was selected to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant. Jackson is one of only 184 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This “quick-action” grant will be used to improve the city’s transportation accessibility and communications by creating a smartphone app that provides real-time information about public buses.

The idea for the mobile app came out of a competition between college and university students called the Hub City Innovation Cup. With nine teams and almost 40 student participants from three area universities this year, the winning idea came from Union University students. These students are Carly Bryant, Grace Ingram, Lauren Kinzinger, Callie Wright and Sydney Zemke. This competition is sponsored by Jackson Energy Authority and is a partnership with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, theCO, Lane University, University of Memphis-Lambuth and Union University.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected The City of Jackson, TN to receive this grant,” stated Mayor Scott Conger. “AARP is a nationwide leader on making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more livable for all residents and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our community.”

About the Community Challenge:

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

It’s all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation – including all 184 granted projects this year, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s livable communities work at AARP.org/Livable.

The City of Jackson, TN receives a $35,500 AARP Community Challenge grant. Pictured from left are Jackson Energy Authority's Ben Louvins, Jackson Transit Authority's Travis Franklin, City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, Union University student Sydney Zemke, Union University's Jason Garrett, Union University student Carly Bryant, City of Jackson's Lauren Kirk, United Way of West Tennessee's Matt Marshall and Jackson Chamber's Kyle Spurgeon.

The City of Jackson, TN was selected to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant. Jackson is one of only 184 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This “quick-action” grant will be used to improve the city’s transportation accessibility and communications by creating a smartphone app that provides real-time information about public buses.

The idea for the mobile app came out of a competition between college and university students called the Hub City Innovation Cup. With nine teams and almost 40 student participants from three area universities this year, the winning idea came from Union University students. These students are Carly Bryant, Grace Ingram, Lauren Kinzinger, Callie Wright and Sydney Zemke. This competition is sponsored by Jackson Energy Authority and is a partnership with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, theCO, Lane University, University of Memphis-Lambuth and Union University.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected The City of Jackson, TN to receive this grant,” stated Mayor Scott Conger. “AARP is a nationwide leader on making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more livable for all residents and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our community.”

About the Community Challenge:

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

It’s all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation – including all 184 granted projects this year, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s livable communities work at AARP.org/Livable.

Jackson State Community College is offering online courses to foster workforce development through a federal initiative focused on helping businesses provide additional training for employees.

The program provides reimbursement for training programs to businesses who enroll their employees, but they need to apply as soon as possible. The courses align with the new federal Incumbent Worker Training Program, which is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and created to provide grants to train and retain employees by providing skills upgrades and process improvement training.

The federal government announced the program in late August. Since then, Jackson State has been working in conjunction with area employers to create courses that they can use to train their workers.

“When these announcements are made, we look at what are the demands in the area and what we can do to fulfill those for the employers,” said Kimberly Johnson, director of Workforce Development at Jackson State.

The courses through the Incumbent Worker Training Program need to be completed by the end of November when the invoices are due for submission and reimbursement. Because of that, Jackson State created a list of online courses that apply to a variety of workers in various sectors that that will fit the timeframe.

“A ground-based classroom is what employers typically want, but that would be impossible based on the timeframe and current conditions,” Johnson said. “But we have many online courses that are instructor-led and designed for people who are really trying to get in-depth training.”

Existing businesses can apply for reimbursement through the State of Tennessee, and the amount depends on the number of employees. Jackson State can help guide them through the process. The reimbursements are first come, first served; funding is limited; and some classes are starting at the beginning of October.

“They need to get their application in with the state as soon as possible,” Johnson said. “The quicker they get it in, the better chance they have to get reimbursed for that training. We recommend they submit the application up front with the Local Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and together we’ll make sure that we can give them the most they can get.”

Contact Johnson at 731-425-8826 or kjohnson75@jscc.edu for information about the program, as well as which courses are available.