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Associations and Foundations
AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service. Website contains information on working in retirement, working caregivers, job accommodations, and other workforce issues. AARP published The Business Case for Workers Age 50+, Planning for Tomorrow's Talent Needs in Today's Competitive Environment in December 2005.
At the NWHF, we have a singular operating theme: To help our neighbors achieve better health to live fuller, richer lives. We focus on issues of health and health care in Oregon and southwest Washington, seeking concrete solutions to today's health care problems while advocating to prevent tomorrow's. And we pursue our goal by engaging the community in collaborative dialogue to ensure that our focal issues are your issues, that the solutions we support arise from your ideas. We offer several funding opportunities and programs, each with its own application process, guidelines, and deadlines.
For more than 25 years, The Alliance has been the voice of quality long-term care in the state. Representing not-for-profit organizations that are dedicated to providing housing, health care and related services to the elderly and disabled, we are committed to meeting the professional needs of our members. See Consumer page on this website for provider and other information.
Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon's innovative health care industry. In addition to 57 acute care hospitals, OAHHS membership includes 10 health systems and related health plans, 16 affiliated allied organizations and 32 associate members representing health care consulting and other service companies (see Member Center on this website).
OCF is a statewide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses and other organizations. OCF was established in 1973 by community leaders who saw the need for a common investment and grant management vehicle for private charitable gifts. OCF provides a variety of charitable fund and gift options to help Oregonians make a difference. We work with donors to develop their charitable goals and giving. Through this philanthropic giving, a wide variety of critical needs in our state are being met each year. OCF currently manages over 1,166 permanent funds with assets over $825 million.
ODA is dedicated to advancing the dental profession and promoting the highest standard of oral health and oral healthcare. Established in 1893, ODA is a voluntary membership organization for Oregon dentists. We provide continuing education, advocacy and other services for dentists and public information to promote good dental health. More than 71 percent of Oregon's dentists belong to ODA. ODA is comprised of 16 local dental societies throughout Oregon that provide continuing education and service programs in their local communities.
OHCA is one of the state's leading trade associations, representing over 570 members including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and residential care facilities, integrated health systems, independent senior living communities and licensed in-home care agencies. Members provide services to over 40,000 people each day and employ more than 30,000 Oregonians. Members include for profit and not for profit organizations, multi facility health systems and industry partners. See Consumers section on this website for facilities and other information.
The mission of OMA is to serve and support physicians in their efforts to improve the health of Oregonians. In 1874, OMA began serving the needs of Oregon physicians and their patients. Since the earliest days, OMA has been a vigorous advocate for the medical community, helping to ensure that physicians may continue to practice medicine in their patients' best interests. Even with more than 7,400 members representing virtually every specialty and practice arrangement within Oregon's borders, OMA is able to stay in touch with member interests and concerns through the close, familial relationship maintained with both county medical and specialty societies.
ONA was founded in 1904 as the professional association for nurses in Oregon. A non-profit association, ONA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association and the United American Nurses. ONA provides a variety of services to its members, including lobbying at the state Legislature and representation at governmental agencies; continuing education and an annual meeting or convention; the Oregon Nurse; collective bargaining throughout Oregon; and development of standards of practice and education. ONA has several affiliated entities: Oregon Nurses Foundation, Oregon Nurse Political Action Committee, Nurses United Political Action Committee and Workdrugfree.
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Education
Career Pathways connect you to the courses, skills and credentials you need to prepare for a high-demand job. Jumpstart your career or continue to advance your skills in your chosen career. Wherever you are, community colleges offer a place to take the next step. Explore career options and move forward on your career pathway at one of Oregon's 17 community colleges. Access all Career Roadmaps.
From entry-level training to continuing education units (CEUs), the CLIMB Center for Advancement at Portland Community College offers a range of educational opportunities for health care professionals, including American Heart Association (AHA) training, health care administrative training, nursing assistant training and a wide variety of continuing education courses. CLIMB offers flexible schedules, hands-on instruction, state-of-the-art facilities and the chance to learn from experienced health care professionals and educators.
Mission: to contribute leadership and resources to increase the skills, knowledge and career opportunities of Oregonians. The agency, with local education and workforce partners, manages resources from the state of Oregon supporting Oregon's community colleges; federal resources supporting one-stop career centers, adult basic skills and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs; and lottery funds supporting the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps. Oregon has 17 independent community colleges and seven LWIAs. To investigate healthcare education opportunities, access the links to these organizations on this web site.
Concordia is a private, Lutheran liberal arts university in Portland, Oregon that welcomes students of any faith. Committed to the dual purpose of preparing students for life and for a living, Concordia provides a challenging, yet supportive, learning environment where spirited intellectual inquiry strengthens our students' commitment to justice, compassion and moral integrity. Undergraduate degree programs include health care administration, nursing and psychology.
George Fox University is a Christ-centered university of the arts, sciences and professional studies. It offers undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and degree-completion programs. The university was founded in Newberg in 1891 by Quaker pioneers. Now, more than 3,000 students attend classes on the university's campus in Newberg, at its Portland, Salem, and Boise centers, and at other teaching sites in Oregon. One of the largest majors is nursing, and the university has a Graduate Department of Counseling.
If you are interested in a dynamic and rewarding career in the health professions, then consider Linfield College — Portland Campus. We offer a unique college experience where you will join a campus community that is dedicated to preparing students exclusively for a future in the world of health care. Whether you are interested in becoming a nurse, physician, physical therapist, or health care administrator, the Portland Campus of Linfield College will start you on the pathway of achieving your educational and professional goals. The Portland Campus of Linfield College is a transfer only campus. We welcome sophomore or junior level students from any regionally accredited institution.
OHSU is the state's only health and research university. OHSU's fundamental purpose is to improve the well-being of people in Oregon and beyond. As part of its multifaceted public mission, OHSU strives for excellence in scholarship, research, clinical practice and community service. OHSU's primary education units are the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing, and OGI School of Science & Engineering. Classrooms take many forms — the traditional school room, a patient's bedside, an inner city or rural clinic, an Oregon beach, a biomedical research laboratory, a shelter for the poor or a home for the elderly.
OSA is an innovative and creative public/private partnership, and multi-sector alliance. The Simulation Alliance Governing Council includes representation from the state's community colleges, public and independent four-year colleges and universities, healthcare provider organizations, simulation users and the Community College Healthcare Action Plan. The group is charged with developing and expanding simulation capacity in all regions of the state for multi-sector, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary use for healthcare workforce development, including pre- and post-service, career-ladder, and re-entry/refresher programs. The goal is to integrate simulation capacity into healthcare curricula, train and network simulation faculty, and make simulation available over the state's broadband Internet network fully accessible, and ensure that simulation is affordable for all education and service groups in the state.
OSAC administers a variety of State of Oregon, Federal, and privately funded student financial aid programs for the benefit of Oregonians attending institutions of postsecondary education. Mission: To assist Oregon students and their families in attaining a postsecondary education and to enhance the value, integrity, and diversity of Oregon's college programs. The site includes helpful links, including Get College Funds where you'll learn how to plan for college, pay for college, and manage your debt. OUS's seven campuses and one affiliate offer more than 325 different academic majors. These are just the starting points to discover the breadth of opportunities that exist at Oregon's public universities. Whether a student is interested in a small campus setting, an urban experience, or the unique environment of a Pac-10 university, the Oregon University System offers a truly outstanding array of high-quality programs and student opportunities. Campuses: Eastern Oregon University (La Grande); Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls); OIT Metro Campus (Portland); Oregon State University (Corvallis); OSU Cascades Campus (Bend); Portland State University (Portland); Southern Oregon University (Ashland); University of Oregon (Eugene); Western Oregon University (Monmouth); Oregon Health & Science University (Portland -- OUS affiliate); Centers: Southwestern Oregon University Center (Coos Bay); Capital Center (Beaverton). Please see links to all campuses and centers through this main site to research all of OUS's healthcare programs, including OIT's new Health Informatics, Polysomnography and Allied Health Management programs.Pacific University is a comprehensive teaching institution comprised of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Optometry, Education, and Health Professions. We provide a close-knit environment and challenging opportunities that foster undergraduate education in the liberal arts tradition and graduate education for specific service-oriented professions. At Pacific, effective teaching and learning are the highest priorities. Our faculty of scholars is dedicated to instilling in our students a passion for learning through dynamic curricula and close faculty-student interaction. Pacific creates critical thinkers who become life-long learners who can make informed decisions and valuable contributions to society and the world.
Whether you're a team member charged with supervising front-line employees or an executive in a leadership role, PDC can design a custom training program to address your organization's specific needs and interests and bring it on-site. Training can be based on an offering found in the PDC catalog or be a completely customized program (includes healthcare management).
University of Portland is an independently governed Catholic university, a community of scholars composed of people of diverse races, ages, nationalities, and religions. Devoted since its inception in 1901 to a mission with three central tenets-teaching, faith, and service-the University is committed to the liberal arts as the foundation of learning, and offers a curriculum of arts, sciences, humanities, and professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The University provides recognized leadership and leaders to the community and to the world through the quality and innovation of its programs and the preparation and contributions of its graduates. The University provides excellent teaching and individual attention in an environment that fosters development of the whole person. Programs include degrees in nursing (undergraduate and graduate) and psychology.
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Government
DHS is made up of five divisions:
- The Addictions and Mental Health Division is responsible for delivering adult and children's mental health and addiction services. Mental health services are delivered locally through community mental health departments and organizations, as well as through state-operated psychiatric hospitals in Salem, Portland and Pendleton. The division is responsible for delivering addiction prevention and treatment services in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and problem gambling.
- The Children, Adults, and Families Division is responsible for administering self-sufficiency and child-protective programs. These include JOBS, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Employment Related Day Care, Food Stamps, child-abuse investigation and intervention, foster care and adoptions. The group also contains the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which helps Oregonians with disabilities to prepare for, find and retain jobs. CAF Field Services is responsible for providing benefits and services to clients for the majority of DHS programs. Field Services operates more than 110 offices across the state and employs more than half of the department's staff.
- The Division of Medical Assistance Programs oversees the Oregon Health Plan, which is a public/private partnership that ensures universal access to a basic level of health care for Oregonians. The division also includes provisions for oversight, research and analysis to achieve the best use of health-care funding.
- The Public Health Division (PHD) administers low-income medical programs. It provides public health services such as monitoring drinking-water quality, communicable-disease outbreaks and inspecting restaurants. PHD also maintains the state's vital records, immunization services and the WIC nutrition program delivered through county health departments. PHD licenses health facilities, determines Certificates of Need (CON) for hospitals and nursing facilities, addresses health workforce needs in underserved areas of the state, and works with health departments, local health collaboratives, and safety net providers to improve access to health care and health status.
- The Seniors and People with Disabilities Division (SPD) is responsible for the administration of programs that increase the independence of, and help protect, seniors and people with disabilities. Its functions include abuse investigation, licensing of nursing facilities, help in arranging and paying for in-home services, Oregon Project Independence, and Lifespan Respite. Many of the services are provided to clients through local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices. SPD also handles in-home, group-home and crisis services for people with developmental disabilities. Another SPD function is eligibility determination for federal Social Security Disability benefits.
The OED was created in 1993. The department is an active partner in the development of the state's workforce. The mission of the OED is to promote employment of Oregonians through developing a diversified, multi-skilled workforce, promoting quality child care, and providing support during periods of unemployment. Through 47 offices across the state, the department serves job seekers and employers by helping workers find suitable employment; providing qualified applicants for employers; supplying statewide and local labor market information; and providing unemployment insurance benefits to workers temporarily unemployed through no fault of their own. The OED's Child Care Division promotes and regulates child care. The department offers a number of services.
The OWIB is the advisory board to the Governor on Oregon's Workforce Education and Training System. The OWIB is made up of leaders representing private sector businesses, labor, state, local governments and government agencies. A majority of the 25 members represent the private sector. One of the chief duties of the OWIB is to assist the Governor by developing a five-year strategic plan for Oregon's comprehensive workforce system. The OWIB's strategic plan, Winning in the Global Market, describes how Oregon will build a highly skilled workforce and globally competitive companies. The OWIB has supported a sector strategy to increase the healthcare workforce in Oregon and is a funder of the Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute, the Oregon Simulation Alliance, and many other healthcare organizations and programs. The Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute and the Oregon Center for Nursing act as expert advisors to the OWIB on healthcare workforce issues.
WorkSource Oregon is a network of public and private partners working together for businesses and workers to: Ensure businesses have a ready supply of trained workers whose skills and talents are aligned with the expectations and needs of business and industry; Connect businesses with the resources they need to grow their workforce and their business; and Provide the resources to help Oregon's unemployed and underemployed get connected with the employers that are right for them, find the jobs they're looking for and get trained for jobs they want. Website has links to workforce, economic development, and training information and information on the governor's Workforce Initiative, including Regional Workforce Teams, and a new training fund.
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Healthcare Workforce Organizations
Acumentra Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of health care. Its work spans the continuum of care, reaching all ages and economic levels, and all delivery settings through healthcare quality assurance and quality improvement projects with state and federal agencies, public health organizations and coalitions, health plans, hospitals, physicians, and others.
The Oregon AHEC is a partnership between OHSU and Oregon communities. Its purpose is to improve the education, training and distribution of health care professionals in Oregon. There are five regional AHECs statewide, each dedicated to working with local health care facilities and providers, community leaders, schools and citizens to identify and meet local needs. All five AHECs have programs to encourage young people, before they leave home, to consider a health career.
The OCN was established by the Oregon Nursing Leadership Council in 2001 as a strategy for addressing Oregon's severe nursing shortage. As a non-profit organization, we are focused on a course of action to alleviate this crisis. Central to this initiative is our place as a clearinghouse for all aspects of the state's nursing profession, including: Workforce Information; Collection and Analysis of Industry Data; Recruitment and Retention; Career Counseling; Research and Model Programs; Resources and Funding; Education Reform; Scholarships and Grants. In addition, high school students have been identified as a potential source for recruits into the nursing profession. The OCN actively works with students, parents, counselors, and instructors to provide information — including local programs, financial resources, and mentors.
OHCC is a leader and primary resource for healthcare workforce development in Oregon. We facilitate industry planning and coordination activities to efficiently and effectively define, prepare for and meet future workforce needs. Together with our education partners, we assure the education and training of adequate numbers of new healthcare workers to meet industry needs and provide opportunities for career advancement for incumbent workers already employed by our healthcare partners. We facilitate the production of a steady supply of area young people interested in entering the health professions, through science and health professions programs for students in elementary, middle and high school focusing especially on representation from underserved populations and populations projected to be underserved in the future.
The mission of OORH is to improve the quality and availability of health care for rural Oregonians. The Office coordinates efforts to improve rural health systems, provides technical assistance to rural communities, recruits health care providers, advises hospitals about the Critical Access Hospital option, and serves as a clearinghouse for information on rural health issues. In order to secure maximum benefit of statewide health resources for rural Oregon, the Office partnered with Oregon Health & Science University in 1989.
Portland Workforce Alliance (website in development)
The Portland Workforce Alliance is a public-private partnership made up of business, labor, education and workforce organizations and was created as a model to better connect schools with the needs of businesses so that all students can be prepared for the demands of work, post-secondary education and training, and citizenship.
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Oregon Boards
The mission of the OBCE is to protect and benefit the public health and safety, and promote quality in the chiropractic profession. The values we embrace are consistency, equity, honesty, responsibility and collaboration. Program areas cover: Public Protection, Professional Competency, Professional Standards & Recommendations, Liaison & Communication, and Diversity.
The mission of the BCSW is to protect the citizens of Oregon through the licensing and regulation of Clinical Social Workers. This is done by certifying associates working toward licensing through a two-year Plan of Supervision, which is monitored by the Board through six-month Evaluation Reports from the supervisors; licensing Clinical social workers from other locations; investigating consumer complaints against Associates or Licensed Clinical Social Workers; granting, denying or reinstating licenses; and requiring continuing education of Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
The mission of the OBLPCT is to assist the public by identifying and regulating the practice of qualified mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists. And to, through prudent management of resources and courteous and prompt service: Issue new and renew licenses to qualified persons; Deter and discipline misconduct by licensees, registered interns, and applicants; Communicate information about licensure, practice, and discipline; Work cooperatively with professional associations, educational institutions, employers of professionals, consumers of professional services, and other government and credentialing agencies to develop policies and standards and establish guidelines for professional practice; and Develop and maintain appropriate standards of education and training, experience, and examination for entry into the professions of mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy.
The mission of the Board is to assure that the citizens of Oregon receive the highest possible quality dental care. The Board of Dentistry is the second oldest licensing board in Oregon, created by an act of the Legislature passed February 23, 1887. The goals are to protect the public from unsafe, incompetent or fraudulent practitioners and to encourage licensees to practice safely and competently in the best interests of their patients.
The mission of the OBME is to protect the health, safety, and well being of Oregon citizens by regulating the practice of medicine in a manner that promotes quality care. The OBME was created in 1889 and is responsible for administering the Medical Practice Act and establishing the rules and regulations pertaining to the practice of medicine in Oregon. The board determines requirements for Oregon licensure as a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Physician Assistant (PA), and Acupuncturist (LAC); ensures that all applicants granted licensure meet all Oregon requirements; investigates complaints against licensees and takes disciplinary action when a violation of the Medical Practice Act occurs; monitors licensees who have come under disciplinary action to ensure compliance with their terms of probation and ensure that it is safe for them to practice medicine; works to rehabilitate and educate "problem" licensees whenever appropriate; and takes an active stance in preventing practice problems which endanger patients, primarily through diversion programs for licensees with substance abuse disorders, by educational outreach, and by monitoring the prescribing practices of certain licensees.
The mission of the OBNE is to protect the public by improving upon standards of care offered by licensed practitioners through ensuring competency in education, and enhancing communication with the profession and the public. Established by the 1927 Legislature, the OBNE is empowered to protect the public by licensing and regulating naturopathic physicians in Oregon. The board enforces compliance with the naturopathic statute through administrative procedures, continuing education, discipline of licensees, and court actions. The board also certifies doctors qualified to practice natural childbirth.
Mission: The OSBN safeguards the public's health and well-being by providing guidance for, and regulation of, entry into the profession, nursing education and continuing safe practice. The OSBN: determines licensure and certification requirements; interprets the Oregon Nurse Practice Act; evaluates and approves nursing education programs and nursing assistant training programs; issues licenses and renewals; investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate the Oregon Nurse Practice Act; maintains the nursing assistant registry, administers competency evaluations and imposes disciplinary sanctions for nursing assistants; and provides testimony to the legislature and other organizations as needed.
The mission of the BENHA is to protect the public by developing, imposing and enforcing standards which shall be met by individuals in order to receive and retain a license as an Oregon nursing home administrator. In carrying out its mission, the Board endeavors to: Provide excellent customer service; Protect nursing home residents from unethical and/or incompetent nursing home practices; Regulate in a manner that supports a positive industry change. The BENHA consists of one program that provides oversight of training, examinations, licensing, investigating and disciplining nursing home administrators.
The OTLB's mission is to protect the public by supervising occupational therapy practice and to assure safe and ethical delivery of occupational therapy services. The role of the OTLB includes investigating complaints and taking appropriate action, making and enforcing laws regarding OT practice, processing applications and issuing licenses and renewals, and authorizing disbursements of funds.
The mission of the OBO is to protect the people of the State of Oregon from the dangers of unqualified and improper practice of optometry. The Board was established by the Oregon Legislature in 1905 as the Oregon State Board of Examiners in Optometry.
The mission of the Board of Pharmacy is to promote, preserve and protect the public health, safety and welfare by ensuring high standards in the practice of pharmacy and by regulating the quality, manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs. The Board was created in 1891 and it regulates pharmacy practice to assure that only qualified individuals practice pharmacy in Oregon. The board licenses pharmacists by examination or through reciprocity with other states, registers and inspects hospital and retail pharmacies, drug wholesalers and manufacturers, and over-the-counter drug outlets. It investigates drug diversion and violations of its rules, and regulates the quality and distribution of controlled substances, prescription and over-the-counter drugs within the state.
OPTLB was created in 1971 to regulate the practice of physical therapy in Oregon. The Board's purpose is public protection and to establish professional standards of practice which assure that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are properly educated, hold valid/current licenses, practice within their scope of practice and continue to receive ongoing training throughout their careers. The Board issues licenses, promulgates rules, monitors continuing education, investigates complaints, issues civil penalties for violations and may revoke, suspend or impose probation on a licensee or limit his/her practice.
Our mission is to protect and benefit public health and safety and promote quality in the psychology profession. OBPE was created for the purpose of examining and licensing all persons in Oregon who engage in the practice of psychology. The Board is also charged with safeguarding "the people of the State of Oregon from the dangers of unqualified and improper practice of psychology." Practicing psychology means rendering or offering to render supervision, consultation, evaluation or therapy services to individuals, groups or organizations for the purpose of diagnosing or treating behavioral, emotional or mental disorders.
The mission of the OBRT is to promote, preserve and protect the public health, safety and welfare of Oregonians when being exposed to ionizing radiation by agency licensees for the purpose of medical diagnosis or radiation therapy. The OBRT was established in 1977 to ensure the quality of radiation therapy, fluoroscopy, CT scans, mammography, bone densitometry and other means of medical imaging by assuring the quality of radiologic technology operators. The board licenses diagnostic or therapeutic technologists and diagnostic technicians, administers Limited Permit Examinations to determine initial competence to practice for radiologic technicians, and approves continuing education offerings to assure continuing competence for both technologists and technicians.
The Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) was established by the 70th Oregon Legislative Assembly in 1999 as a state consumer protection agency overseeing regulation of multiple health and related professions. It is unique among Oregon's regulatory agencies in that it oversees multiple professions under a central agency administration. Respiratory care therapists provide services to patients with abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system under the direction of a licensed physician and as part of a health care team.
The BSPA was established in 1973 to license and regulate the performance of speech-language pathologists and audiologists for consumer protection. The Board adopts rules governing standards of practice, investigates alleged violations and grants, denies, suspends and revokes licenses.
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