Each month, St. Mary's Hospital offers a variety of classes for the community’s enrichment. From courses in child rearing and first aid to massage therapy and yoga, our Health Connections Center provides wellness and educational programs for the young and old alike. In addition, support groups are available to assist those who are interested in meeting with others in the area. Search for a class >
St. Mary's Hospital is a strong believer in the value of education. Throughout the year, our facility provides employees, medical staff and clinical personnel with the opportunity to improve their skills. The hospitals’ Education & Training Department organizes and administers programs and activities, many of which are mandatory for employees. As a Training Center for the American Heart Association, the hospital also offers Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support opportunities for both staff and community members to update and improve their skills.
Employees
St. Mary's Hospital believes that each employee contributes to creating a positive environment for patients and visitors. Each month, selected opportunities are provided for personnel to learn more about other departments as well as explore areas such as customer service and safety. Additionally, training opportunities offered outside of the hospital are encouraged to strengthen skills and keep abreast of technology. All employees are required to attain at least 13 units of credit each calendar year to stay current within their respective fields.
Medical Staff
All practicing physicians at St. Mary's Hospital are required to complete a variety of continuing medical education (CME) programs throughout the year. While each specialty has its own specific requirements, all doctors must earn a total of 50 CME credits every two years. These education hours provide medical staff members with the opportunity to meet and share ideas with other healthcare professionals in the area as well as stay abreast of current topics in the field. St. Mary's Hospital offers a variety of opportunities for physicians to receive credits through participation in the hospital’s Tumor Board, day-long courses and field-related seminars. For more information on CMEs for Physicians, click here.
Allied Health Professionals
From physical and occupational therapists to radiology and laboratory technologists, the field of allied health encompasses a variety of professions. Many of these individuals provide direct care for our patients, making them frontline employees for St. Mary’s Hospital. To ensure that these professionals stay abreast of the most current techniques and skills sets, the hospital requires them to complete many hours of field-related training each year.
Nursing Staff
In addition to providing compassionate care to all of our patients, the nurses of St. Mary's Hospital place a strong importance on the value of continuing education. All clinical nursing staff members are required to obtain their Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association (AHA), and must be re-certified every two years. Depending upon their specific unit, nurses may also be required to complete the AHA’s Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications.
During their probationary period, each new member of the staff must prove him or herself proficient in a variety of nursing skills. Additionally, nurses must earn a minimum of 13 continuing education hours, complete unit-specific competencies and take a mandatory test each year. Pursuing an advanced degree or improving one’s skills set by taking courses off campus is also encouraged through the hospital’s tuition reimbursement program. In addition to standard opportunities for advancement, St. Mary's Hospital offers nurses a unique Clinical Ladder Program to receive recognition for their advancing skills. Advancement is made as nurses work on their master’s degrees, involve themselves in a special project or provide other evidence of their growing skill set.
