• In the United States, the number of Medicare age individuals afflicted with lymphedema, or at risk of developing it, exceeds 6.8 million.
• The incidence of lymphedema as a consequence of cancer therapy ranges from 10- 50% and increases with time.

Glendale Wisconsin- June 30, 2011-The National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) announced today, the introduction of its newest certification in the specialty of Lymphedema Lower Extremity Management (LLE™).

The LLE is an advanced credential that demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency and mastery of essential knowledge and skills of lower extremity lymphedema and associated wound management.

“We are very excited to offer this new certification. The LLE validates a wound care professional’s expertise in lymphedema lower extremity management, while enhancing their marketability. This advanced certification will assure employers they are hiring a leader with tested competency in lower extremity lymphedema,” said Debbie Hecker, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Wound Care.

The LLE is the third certification offered by the NAWC and the only wound care certification board to offer an advanced credential in Lower Extremity Lymphedema. Prerequisite education for LLE certification will be offered by Lymphedema and Wound Care Education, LLC (LWCE).

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Therapeutic Support Surfaces:The Past, The Present and The Future will be presented by Rosalyn S. Jordan RN, BSN, MSc, CWOCN, WCC and National Alliance of Wound Care Board Director.

What is going on with support surfaces? Join us in this session and find out about the work of the Support Surface Standards Initiative, a committee of the NPUAP. This committee was convened in 2002 with a goal: to standardize support surface terms and definitions and to develop standardized tests that will be used to measure the different support surfaces, determine how this lends to clinical outcomes and to study the effectiveness of support surface therapy.

This session will be presented on Thursday September 8,2011 at 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

For more Information about the Wound Care Education Institute and WOW 2011, Check out Wild on Wounds 2011 National Conference

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Semester Begins March 28, 2011
Registration must be completed before sessions begin.

Our online Skin and Wound Management Course is designed to provide participants with the best practices in wound care, the science behind healing wounds, and the most current standards of practice.  In collaboration with Columbus State Community College you can now earn 3 college credits while learning online in the convenience of your home.

Interested in Wound Care Certification?
At the end of the course, for those that pursue wound certification, this online course meets the pre-requisite requirement for the National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) WCC® “Wound Care Certified” exam.

Please click here to view the requirements for wound care certification.

CLICK HERE to find out if Online Learning is the right type of course for you?

PART 1
WCEI Skin and Wound Management
Course Fees:  $1,700

PART 2
Columbus State Community College Fees:
Matriculation Fee – $50
In-State Ohio Student -$237
Out-of-State Student – $525
International Student – $630

REGISTRATION IS A TWO STEP PROCESS

STEP 1 – WCEI Registration: (fees do not include the NAWC® WCC® Certification exam)

ONLINE - Click Here to fill out an application and pay with credit card

FAX - Click Here to download and print the application including payment information and fax to: 877-649-6021.

MAIL - Click Here to download and print the application. Submit check/money order payable to:

WCEI
25828 Pastoral Dr.
Plainfield, IL 60585

STEP 2 – Upon completing the WCEI registration, a confirmation and welcome letter (via email) will be sent once your application has been processed with a LINK and instructions on completing the next step.

FEE PAYMENT DEADLINE: If fees are not paid by the appropriate deadline, your scheduled class will be dropped and a $75 re-registration fee will be added to your fees if you re-register.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Financial Aid Freeze Date – Sunday April 3
Last day for 100% refund – Sunday April 3
Last day for 50% refund – Monday April 11
Last day for 25% refund – Monday April 18

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National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) Observes National Diabetes Awareness Month with the Introduction of Its DWC® Diabetic Wound Certified Credential

Sadly, more than 23 million Americans and 246 million individuals world-wide suffer from Diabetes. This preventable disease is the leading cause of non traumatic lower-limb amputations, contributing to the staggering rate of limb amputations which occur every 30 seconds. Proper wound care can prevent most diabetic related amputations, however, up until now there has been a limited opportunity for healthcare clinicians to specialize in the care of diabetic wounds. Thanks to the NAWC, our Nation’s largest and fastest growing wound care credentialing board, there is a new advanced wound care certification designed to address this universal epidemic.
This specialized certification will help fill the dramatic need for more qualified wound care clinicians in the growing field of diabetic wounds. Current certified wound care professionals can now advance their expertise in the care of diabetic wounds by obtaining the DWC. “The DWC is the first multispecialty, advanced credential in diabetic wounds and opens the door for advancement to thousands of certified wound care clinicians”, said Debbie Hecker RN, MBA, WCC, and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Wound Care.
In recognition of National Diabetes Month, the NAWC welcomes all certified wound care clinicians to consider striving for the DWC credential. The DWC credential will be available starting in early 2011. The need for better patient education and proper wound care is critical to fight and manage this growing disease. To learn more about the DWC credential and the National Alliance of Wound, visit their website at http://www.nawccb.org.

To learn more about National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day November 14, visit the American Diabetes Association website. http://www.diabetes.org/.

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Wound Care Education Institute

The WCC® Credential
The wound care certified WCC® certification is a prestigious, highly recognized credential offered only through the National Alliance of Wound Care. The common element among WCCs is their passion for caring for their patients and healing wounds. As WCCs, these fine individuals become part of an inclusive group of healthcare professionals who have chosen to advance their expertise and careers with this specialized certification.

DATES & LOCATIONS
HASC has arranged for a four-day skin and wound management training course followed by a certification examination to be offered at three locations in Southern California.

COST
The special rate of $2,297 is offered to HASC member hospitals and their post acute care affiliates as well as participants/affiliates of the Southern California Patient Safety collaborative, within the Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Santa Barbara areas.

PROGRAM RULES
Applicant must be a current employee of the facility submitting the application. Licensed California hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home health agencies participating in the Southern California Patient Safety collaborative within the Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Santa Barbara areas may submit an application for employees who meet the following criteria:

Questions?
Call one of our friendly WCEI representatives toll free at: 1-877-462-9234 or email us at:  info@wcei.net.

Accreditation Statements
The Skin and Wound Management Course© is approved by the National Alliance of Wound Care® Credentialing Board (NAWCCB®), the credentialing arm of the National Alliance of Wound Care®, as a pre-requisite for WCC® certification. For CME/CEU information click here. For course content, click here.

Wound Care Program Cancellation Policy:
If you must cancel, a $100 administration fee applies, if you notify us in writing no later than 30 days before the first day of the wound care program.

No refunds if canceled less than 30 days before the first day of the seminar. A registrant may choose to attend our wound care program at another location within the same year in lieu of cancellation. A $200 fee applies to transfer course credit to another attendee or
to change locations for any reason.

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National Alliance of Wound Care® Announces New Advanced Certification in the Specialty of Diabetic Wounds

The National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC®) announced today, the introduction of their advanced wound care certification in the specialty of diabetic wounds. The Diabetic Wound Certified, DWC®, credential demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency and mastery of essential knowledge and skills of diabetic wound management above basic wound care certification.

This specialty certification will help to fill a dramatic need for certified wound care clinicians in the growing field of diabetic wounds. Certified wound care professionals can now take their careers  to the next level.  ”The DWC is the first advanced credential in the specialty of diabetic wounds and opens the door for advancement to thousands of certified wound care clinicians”, said Debbie Hecker RN, MBA, WCC, and Executive Director of the National Alliance of Wound Care.

The announcement was made in conjunction with the annual Wild on Wounds (WOW) wound conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Classes and examination for the new DWC credential will commence during the first quarter of 2011.  The DWC credential is available only from the NAWC, the largest and fastest growing wound care certification organization in the United States.

The DWC credential is an advanced, specialized certification that demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency and mastery of essential knowledge and skills of diabetic wound management above basic wound care certification.

Take your wound care certification to the next level. An advanced DWC certification is your assurance that you have cutting-edge,  proven knowledge in the specialty of diabetic wounds. The DWC credential is available only from the National Alliance of Wound Care^®,  the largest and fastest growing wound care certification organization in the United States.

The DWC credential is important to your patients and employers.

• DWC certification increases your marketability as a diabetic wound expert and assures employers that you have the tested knowledge to be a leader in the specialty of diabetic wounds.

• Your proven expertise in diabetic wound management empowers your patients with confidence and knowledge to help them prevent the loss of a toe, foot, leg or even their life.

Eligibility

The DWC credential is open to health care professionals who currently hold an accredited certification in wound care. (WCC®, CWS®, CWCN®, CWON® and CWOCN®) in addition to:

• Hold a current, unrestricted license as an LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PT, PTA, OT, MD, DPM, DO or PA
• Document active involvement in the care of wound care patients, or in management, education or research directly related to wound care for at least one (1) year post basic wound care certification
• Successfully complete an NAWC approved Diabetic Skin and Wound Management Course
• Receive a passing score on the Diabetic Wound Certification Examination “The DWC” credential is valid for five (5) years

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The wound care certified WCC^®certification is a prestigious, highly recognized credential offered only through the National Alliance of Wound Care. The common element among WCCs is their passion for caring for their patients and healing wounds. As WCCs, these fine individuals become part of an inclusive group of healthcare professionals who have chosen to advance their expertise and careers with this specialized certification.

The National Alliance of Wound Care^® (NAWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together wound care clinicians from across the healthcare continuum through wound care certification and vocational support.

About the NAWC

The NAWC is a non-profit organization, governed by a voluntary board of directors. NAWC through it’s credentialing board offers the WCC® certification. From its beginnings of only seven (7) years ago, the NAWC has grown to over 7500 wound care certified professionals.

Today, the WCCs of NAWC are the largest and fastest growing group of certified wound care professionals in the United States.

NAWC embraces those from a wide range of healthcare licensures which also makes NAWC the most diverse and inclusive wound care certification organization, today.

The NAWC helps all WCCs with resources and support to help them advance their professional recognition and their careers.

The WCC^® Certification provides an added credential beyond licensure and demonstrates by examination that the practitioner has acquired a core body of specialized knowledge.

Benefits to Clinician:
* Opportunity to provide higher standard of care
* Formal acknowledgment of expertise
* Establishment of professional credentials
* Promotion of professional recognition and esteem
* Provision of continuing education and training
* Career advancement opportunities

Benefits to Employer:

* Increased creditability with consumers
* Enhanced job performance
* Increased protection from liability
* Cost savings in overall delivery of wound care
* Marketability of “Center for Wound Care Excellence”

Benefits to Patients and their Family:

* Benefactor of safe and competent wound care
* Accessibility to expertise of specialized wound care practitioner

Job Resource Center

Are you interesting in finding a Job in Wound Care or are you looking to hire a Wound Care Certified Health Professional? Look no further than the NAWC Job Resource Center.

The new NAWC Job Resource Center is called WOUND CARE CAREERS. This new online job board lists positions in the wound care field throughout the United States.

WOUND CARE CAREERS offers both the opportunity to search for jobs as well as post open positions.

If you are interested in posting an open position, the WOUND CARE CAREERS Job Resource Center will give you access to the over 7600 certified WCC^®s.  In addition, you will have the option to also post your open position throughout the network of affiliated job boards from over 175 healthcare professional associations and organizations through out the National Healthcare Career Network for even greater exposure.

For more information about the National Alliance of Wound Care, please visit their website at http://www.nawccb.org

For more information about becoming Wound Care Certified, please visit the Wound Care Education Institute’s Course Info Page

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So you went through the Skin and Wound Management Course offered by the Wound Care Education Institute! Then, you completed and passed the examination by the National Alliance of Wound Care.  Congratulations! You are now a WCC! How are you using the knowledge that you gained from taking the course? Are you on the Wound Care Team at your facility? Are you a Wound Care Consultant or a Representative for your company that fosters wound care excellence?

What does it mean to you to have earned your WCC Credential?

Are you branding yourself as your facility’s Wound Care Certified ‘go to person’? Why not show off your WCC credential with your very own WCC shirt, WCC patch or WCC Pins?

For more information about Wound Care Certified Shirts, Pins and Patches, please visit WoundCentral.com

If you are interested in becoming wound care certified, check out WCEI’s Skin and Wound Management Course

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This pathway is designed for health care professionals who have a strong passion for wound care but don’t have the necessary experience. Either you have worked in a different area of practice, you are a new graduate, or maybe you are retired and want to get back into the field of healing. This pathway is for you!

The National Alliance of Wound Care Preceptor Pathway is a WCC® certification option that includes one week of classroom and 120 hours working with an approved WCC preceptor in the clinical setting.

It is recommended that you have your preceptor secured prior to attending the course. All clinical hours must be completed within one year of attending the wound management course.

Requirements for the NAWC® “WCC®” Certification Preceptor Pathway

1. You must be an active unrestricted license as a registered nurse, licensed practical/vocational nurse, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, physician or physician’s assistant.
2. Register and attend one of WCEI Skin and Wound Management Training Courses (Click here to view course locations near you).
3. After the completion of the WCEI’s Course you must then complete a minimum of 120 hours of hands on clinical training with an NAWC® approved clinical preceptor.

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Become Wound Care Certified with WCEI’s Wound Care Course
Or just simply take the course for your own knowledge and benefit.  Our wound certification course is an informative and empowering week for anyone interested in learning more about healing wounds.

Individuals who are not eligible for wound care certification may also attend the course. Wound-related product sales representatives or other non-clinicians can gain valuable insight into the business and science of wound care, thus giving them an edge over their competition.

Wound Care Certification
WCEI’s Skin and Wound Management Course meets the pre-requisite requirement for the National Alliance of Wound Care® (NAWC®) certification exam. Eligible participants are given the option to take the wound examination onsite.  Please click here to view the requirements for wound care certification.

The Wound Care Certification Exam
The NAWC® Wound Care Certification Examination is administered at the conclusion of the course for those who meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the certification exam. The test is administered by NAWC – the National Alliance of Wound Care.

The Advantages of Wound Care Certification

• Earning a wound specialist certification offers many advantages and benefits including:
• Increased consumer/patient confidence
• Feelings of pride, self-satisfaction and confidence for the certified wound specialist
• Enhanced career opportunities and accelerated career advancement including higher pay levels
• Professional acknowledgement, recognition, and respect

Course Atmosphere
The Skin and Wound Management Course is taught in a fun, relaxed and professional environment.  The classes are upbeat, positive, high energy, and designed specifically for health care professionals.  Classes are interactive to maintain participants’ energy and interest levels; and all of the instructors are dynamic presenters who use lots of visuals, a variety of learning styles, interesting examples and humor as part of their instruction styles.  We promise you won’t be bored.

Here’s what one satisfied participant had to say about WCEI’s wound care certification program: