While database platforms have come and gone through the decades, database technology is still critical for multiple applications and computing tasks. IT professionals often seek database certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise as they navigate their career paths and pursue professional growth.
While database certifications may not be as bleeding edge as Google cloud certifications, cybersecurity certifications, storage certifications or digital forensics certifications, database professionals at all levels possess in-demand career skills — and a plethora of database-related jobs are waiting to be filled.
We’ll look at some of the most in-demand certifications for database administrators, database developers and anyone else who works with databases.
To get a better grasp of available database certifications, it’s helpful to group these certs around job responsibilities. This reflects the maturity of database technology and its integration into most aspects of commercial, scientific and academic computing. As you read about the various database certification programs, keep these job roles in mind:
These database job roles highlight two critical issues to consider if you want to be a database professional:
Did you know? NoSQL databases — called “not only SQL” or “non-relational” databases — are increasingly used in big data applications associated with some of the best big data certifications for data scientists, data mining and warehousing, and business intelligence.
Here are details on our five best database certification picks for 2022.
IBM is one of the leaders in the worldwide database market by any objective measure. The company’s database portfolio includes industry-standard DB2, as well as the following:
IBM also has a long-standing and well-populated IT certification program that has been around for more than 30 years and encompasses hundreds of individual credentials.
After redesigning its certification programs and categories, IBM now has a primary data-centric certification category called IBM Data and AI. It includes a range of database credentials:
IBM’s is a big and complex certification space, but one where particular platform allegiances are likely to guide readers toward the handful of items most relevant to their interests and needs.
Database professionals who support DB2 (or aspire to) on IBM’s z/OS should check out the IBM Associate Certified DBA — Db2 12 certification. It’s an entry-level exam that addresses routine planning, working with SQL and XML, security, operations, data concurrency, application design, and concepts around database objects.
This certification requires candidates to pass one exam. Pre-exam training and familiarity with concepts, or hands-on experience, are recommended but not required.
|
Certification name |
IBM Certified Database Administrator — Db2 12 (z/OS) |
|
Prerequisites and required courses |
None required; recommended courses are available. |
|
Number of exams |
One: C1000-122: Db2 12 for z/OS DBA Fundamentals (63 questions, 90 minutes) |
|
Cost per exam |
$200 (or local currency equivalent) per exam. Sign up for exams at Pearson VUE. |
|
URL |
|
|
Self-study materials |
The certification page includes self-study materials, including a study guide and a learning path. |
Did you know? IBM’s certification offerings are among the best system administrator certifications IT professionals can achieve.
Microsoft Azure offers a broad range of tools and add-ons for business intelligence. Azure is a cloud computing platform for application management and Microsoft-managed data centers. Microsoft certifications include various Azure offerings based on job role and experience level.
Microsoft’s certification program is role-centric, centered on the skills you need to succeed in specific technology jobs. Because Azure has such a broad scope, Azure certifications span multiple job roles. However, specific certifications exist for the following positions:
There are also certifications for learners at different experience levels.
For those looking to take their Azure knowledge to the next level, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification is the perfect place to start. This certification is for beginner database administrators interested in using Azure and mastering data in the cloud. It offers foundational knowledge of core concepts while reinforcing concepts for later use in other Azure role-based certifications, such as those listed below:
|
Certification name |
|
|
Prerequisites and required courses |
This certification does not have any prerequisites. However, for absolute beginners, Microsoft offers an Azure Fundamentals certification. |
|
Number of exams |
One exam, DP-900, which is administered via Pearson VUE or Certiport. |
|
Cost per exam |
The exam costs $99 in the United States, though the cost changes based on where it is proctored. |
|
URL |
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/exams/dp-900 |
|
Self-study materials |
Microsoft offers one of the world’s largest and best-known IT certification programs, so the exam is well supported with books, study guides, study groups, practice tests and other materials. Microsoft also offers a free online learning path. |
Oracle runs its certifications under the auspices of Oracle University. The Oracle Database Certifications page lists separate tracks depending on job role and product. MySQL is perhaps the leading open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). Since acquiring Sun Microsystems in 2010 (which had previously acquired MySQL AB), Oracle has rolled out a paid version of MySQL and developed certifications to support the product.
If you’re interested in pursuing an Oracle MySQL certification, you can choose between MySQL Database Administration and MySQL Developer.
The Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator (OCP) credential recognizes professionals who can accomplish the following tasks:
The certification requires candidates to pass a single exam (the same exam can be taken to upgrade a prior certification). Oracle recommends training and on-the-job experience before taking the exam.
Did you know? According to Oracle, approximately 1.8 million Oracle Certified professionals globally hold certifications to advance their networking careers and professions to validate their IT expertise.
For individuals interested in working in the Oracle environment who have the necessary experience to become a database administrator, Oracle’s Database SQL Certified Associate Certification is another top Oracle certification and an excellent starting point. This exam encompasses an understanding of fundamental SQL concepts that individuals must grasp for database projects.
By earning the certification, individuals demonstrate that they have a range of knowledge in core SQL concepts:
This certification also requires candidates to pass a single exam. While Oracle does not specify any prerequisites, the company does state candidates should have familiarity working with the command line.
SAP SE has an extensive portfolio of business applications and analytics software, including cloud infrastructure, applications and storage. The SAP HANA platform’s foundation is an enterprise-grade relational database management system that can be run as an appliance on-premises or in the cloud. The cloud platform lets customers build and run applications and services based on SAP HANA.
SAP offers a comprehensive certification program built to support its various platforms and products. We’re featuring the SAP Certified Technology Associate — SAP HANA cert because it aligns closely with other certifications we’ve highlighted and is in high demand among employers, according to job board surveys.
This certification ensures database professionals can install, manage, monitor, migrate and troubleshoot SAP HANA systems. It covers the following skills:
SAP recommends that certification candidates get hands-on practice through formal training or on-the-job experience before attempting this exam. The SAP Learning Hub is a subscription service that gives certification candidates access to a library of learning materials, including e-learning courses and course handbooks.
The annual subscription rate for individual users on the Professional certification track is $2,760. This online training program is designed for those who run, support, or implement SAP software solutions. Though this may seem like a steep price for online training, you will likely be able to pass any SAP certification exams you put your mind to by leveraging all the learning resources available to SAP Learning Hub Professional subscribers.
Typically, SAP certifications achieved on one of the two most accurate SAP solutions are considered current and valid. SAP contacts professionals whose certifications are nearing end-of-life status and provides information on maintaining their credentials.
|
Certification name |
SAP Certified Technology Associate — SAP HANA 2.0 SPS05 |
|
Prerequisites and required courses |
None required. Recommended: Hands-on experience and the following courses:
|
|
Number of exams |
One exam: SAP Certified Technology Associate — SAP HANA 2.0 SPS05, exam code C_HANATEC_17 (80 questions, 180 minutes) |
|
Cost per exam |
$500 |
|
URL |
|
|
Self-study materials |
The certification web page includes a link to trial questions. SAP HANA trade books and certification guides are available on Amazon. The SAP Help Center offers product documentation and a training and certification FAQs page. The SAP Learning Hub (available on a subscription basis) provides access to online learning content. |
Tip: To broaden your skill set, consider pursuing the best sales certifications to better sell and implement various IT solutions, including databases.
Additional database certification programs can further the careers of IT professionals who work with database management systems.
While most colleges with computer science programs offer database tracks at the undergraduate, master and Ph.D. levels, well-known vendor-neutral database certifications exist, including the following:
These are some additional certifications:
These credentials represent opportunities for database professionals to expand their skill sets — and salaries. However, such niches in the database certification arena are generally only worth pursuing if you already work with these platforms or plan to work for an organization that uses them.
Key takeaway: Pursuing additional database certifications can be helpful for professional development if you already work with these platforms or plan to work with them in the future.
Before pursuing certifications, consider their popularity with employers to gain a helpful perspective on current database certification demand. Here’s a job board snapshot to supply you an idea of what’s trending.
|
Certification |
Indeed |
LinkedIn Jobs |
LinkUp |
Total |
|
|
IBM Certified Database Administrator — DB2 |
867 |
1,337 |
1,911 |
753 |
4,868 |
|
Azure Data Fundamentals |
2,052 |
4,154 |
283 |
2,322 |
8,811 |
|
Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL Database Administrator |
339 |
473 |
143 |
23 |
978 |
|
Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification |
138 |
177 |
10 |
273 |
598 |
|
SAP HANA |
32 |
37 |
57 |
466 |
592 |
If the sheer number of available database-related positions isn’t enough motivation to pursue a certification, consider average salaries for database administrators. SimplyHired reports $91,949 as the national average in the U.S., ranging from $64,171 to over $131,753. Glassdoor’s reported average is somewhat lower at $84,161, with a top rung for experienced senior DBAs right around $134,000.
Choosing the best IT certifications to enhance your skills and boost your career can be overwhelming, especially as many available certifications are for proprietary technologies. While picking a database certification can feel like locking yourself into a single technology family, it is worth remembering that many database skills are transferable. Additionally, pursuing any certification shows your willingness to learn and demonstrates competence to current and future employers.
Ultimately, choosing which certification to pursue depends on the technologies you use at work or would like to use at a future employer.
Jeremy Bender contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.
We’re continuing our investigation into how Dr. Anthony Dixon can lead the Berkeley County School District as superintendent when he doesn't have a necessary certification.
RELATED: Is Dr. Anthony Dixon certified to be superintendent of Berkeley County School District?
It's simply not on file with the state. But is this just a paperwork issue, or as one board member says, something illegal?
As we go along, we keep getting pointed in different directions.
"It has come to my attention that Dr. Anthony Dixon does not have a superintendent certification. They’re not just needed, they’re required by state law,” says BCSD board member David Barrow. "When teachers and other certified staff must be certified in the areas of their employment status, so why is Dr. Dixon an exception to this requirement?"
On Thursday, we received an update from the State Department of Education, which clarified exactly when Dr. Dixon applied for his superintendent certification.
RELATED: BCSD board member David Barrow said Mac McQuillin's statement on Jackson is "appalling"
The first request was sent in May of 2018. The Department of Education sent the list of necessary documents to be filled out by SC State University.
However, DOE says SC State only provided Dixon's transcript.
A second request came on Nov. 14, 2022 – the day before Dixon was hired as BCSD superintendent.
Again, SC State only provided the Department of Education with his transcript, which they say isn't what's needed to certify.
"For superintendent for instance, we need the transcript, we need the college or university recommendation, we need documentation of leadership experience and exam score if one is required,” says Mary Hipp, the director of the office of educator services with the State Department of Education. "It’s a matter then of once everything is on file, we will issue the credential."
This brings us back to David Barrow, who says this should have come up nearly two years ago when Dr. Dixon was a candidate for superintendent.
RELATED: BCSD Chair cites academic struggles, strained relationship with SLED, DSS for supt. firing
"I’m wondering what happened in that vetting process, because the board had a search group. It was the South Carolina School Board’s Association that did the vetting and did the search. I’m not sure why they dropped the ball, but they certainly did,” he says.
We reached out to the South Carolina School Board’s Association to ask if they knew about Dr. Dixon's lack of certification during their search and vetting process in 2021. We are waiting to hear back.
© Provided by WCIV Charleston
Caption: WCIV
We did hear from the school district yesterday. Their statement said:
“Dr. Dixon completed all requirements of the EDS-Educational Administration program and was awarded the Educational Specialist Degree in July 2013. He additionally completed all requirements of the EDD- Educational Administration program and was awarded his Doctor of Education Degree in May 2018. Dr. Dixon requested an update to his certificate to include Superintendent as a certification field, and representatives from the state department indicated to him that they are only awaiting receipt of a form to be completed by representatives from his program of study. Once that process is complete, his certification will accurately reflect Superintendent as a certification field.
Additionally, Dr. Dixon was vetted by the School Board Association when becoming a finalist for the superintendency in spring 2021.”
READ MORE: School district employee killed after head-on crash with Marion Co. school bus: Officials
The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP) Provides a Certification to Validate and Differentiate Today's Health Care Quality and Safety Professionals
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., Dec. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The importance of health care quality and patient safety continues to be at the forefront of providing medical care. It is essential that health care providers and administrators demonstrate their expertise and commitment to health care quality and safety. In addition to concerns about patient safety, inappropriate services, and unnecessary readmissions, the rising costs of health care and its impact on families and business all solidify the need for HCQM Certification.
The early registration discount is available through February 15, 2023, registrants save $75.00 on the HCQM exam fee before this deadline. The HCQM exam window has also been expanded to allow testing between March 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023.
ABQAURP continues to work with Prometric on test development and delivery for its HCQM Certification Exam. The exam is provided through Prometric's global Test Center network and remotely via ProProctor™. The ProProctor remote testing platform allows candidates to test anywhere, at any time.
Dr. Nick Paslidis, ABQAURP Chairman of the Board, states, "Physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals throughout the world are now able to sit for ABQAURP's HCQM Certification Examination. We encourage health care professionals worldwide to be recognized for their commitment to value-driven, quality care by earning the CHCQM® (Certified in Health Care Quality Management) credential."
Health care leaders can enhance their HCQM credential with additional sub-specialty certifications in the following categories:
Prepare now for the 2023 HCQM Examination! ABQAURP is now accepting applications for the HCQM Test Window that will be open from March 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Early Registration Discount through February 15, 2023; register now to save $75 off the HCQM exam Fee.
As an additional incentive, save $75 when using Promo Code: CBK23PR on the Core Body of Knowledge online course to prepare for the exam and meet the eligibility requirements. exam candidates do not need to purchase at the same time, but must register for both by February 15, 2023, to maximize savings of $150. Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.
Visit the ABQAURP website at: http://www.abqaurp.org/Certification or call (800) 998-6030 to learn how HCQM Certification can validate your experience and set you apart from the rest!
About ABQAURP
Celebrating 45 years of excellence in Health Care Quality Management and Patient Safety, ABQAURP is a premier professional association providing Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) certification, ACCME-accredited continuing medical education, and membership to health care professionals worldwide. Learn more at: http://www.abqaurp.org
Media Contact
Barbara Thomas, ABQAURP, 727-569-0190, certification@abqaurp.org
SOURCE ABQAURP
The Oregon Department of Forestry is seeking members for an advisory committee for its new Certified Burn Manager (CBM) Program, one of many new programs established under Senate Bill 762 (2021) to help address Oregon’s wildfire crisis.
“The Certified Burn Manager Program is the first of its kind in Oregon,” said Tim Holschbach, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning. “The intent of the CBM program is to provide oversight of training and certification for the safe and effective use of prescribed burning and to promote its use.”
The department is accepting applications to serve on the CBM Advisory Committee through Jan. 31, 2023. The committee will advise ODF on program implementation and help provide oversight. Applications are available on ODF’s website
“ODF is seeking individuals with experience or expertise with prescribed fire planning, implementation, and regulation to serve on the committee,” said Holschbach. “The goal is to convene a diverse group representative of the full suite of interests in prescribed fire and its impacts to communities across Oregon.”
The committee will meet at least twice a year but will likely meet more frequently the first year as needed. The main duties for committee members will be to advise the State Forester on administration of the program and conduct reviews of proposed certification revocations when requested. The committee positions are unpaid, but members may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members serve a three-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. Appointments will be made by the State Forester in early February with the first CBM Advisory Committee meeting in late February or early March.
“This is a great opportunity to help shape a new program that promotes consistent standards and fair and equitable administration of the CBM program,” said Holschbach.
With the CBM rules developed and the advisory committee forming, ODF plans to launch the program in late spring of 2023. Although the certification is voluntary, Holschbach expects many forestland owners and fire professionals will seek certification.
“The certification process is thorough but straightforward,” said Holschbach. “You will need to complete the classroom training curriculum, pass a test, and demonstrate field proficiency.”
There are also streamlined requirements to become certified in Oregon for those that currently hold:
The cost of certification is $50; however, third party training providers may charge fees for the training that they offer. The certification is good for five years and there are no costs for recertification.
“The CBM is a win-win program,” said Holschbach. “It’s a win for the person getting the certification because now in addition to robust classroom training and supervised field experience, they also get certain civil liability protections if a prescribed fire results in unintended impacts. Then, it is a win for every Oregonian to have certified professionals using prescribed fire as a tool in a consistent and safe manner to reduce the risks of wildfire throughout the state. We are literally saving lives, protecting property, and minimizing adverse impacts to the environment by treating large landscapes using prescribed fire.”
Recognizing the importance of prescribed fire, the Legislature directed ODF to create a Certified Burn Manager Program for lands under ODF protection. The program was one of several included in SB 762 to address Oregon’s wildfire crisis. The Board of Forestry approved the administrative rules establishing the program during their November meeting.
Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, is the planned and controlled use of fire by a team of experts under specific conditions such as favorable temperature, wind, and humidity. Prescribed fire is used to help reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecosystems that depend on fire, increase wildlife habitat, and increase community and firefighter safety.
“Prescribed fire is a cost-effective tool that can reduce fuels and wildfire risks on large landscapes,” said Holschbach. “Tree thinning, mastication and creating fire breaks are all good tools but we can’t treat the hundreds of thousands to millions of acres necessary to reduce risk without the use of prescribed fire.”
Visit the ODF prescribed fire website this spring to find out more about becoming a certified burn manager.
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.
Long gone are the days of secrecy and taboos when it comes to plastic surgery.
The truth is that more and more people are seeking out plastic surgery procedures to gain confidence and achieve their dream appearance. As people have become comfortable talking about their plastic surgery, we’ve learned that plenty of average, working people are interested in exploring cosmetic alterations.
For too long, the best cosmetic procedures and techniques were reserved for celebrities and the wealthy. Thankfully, as this technology has advanced and this industry has blossomed, cosmetic procedures are becoming more accessible for the average person.
That’s especially true when doctors and offices take a novel approach to their business model. One such clinic is called Town Plastic Surgery, which is offering a best-in-class cosmetic surgery experience at an affordable and reasonable price.
How do they do it? By specializing.
At their elegant Manhattan office, Town Plastic Surgery exclusively offers breast augmentation procedures. By focusing on one procedure and bringing on a team of board-certified experts who specialize in that one procedure, Town Plastic Surgery has effectively reinvented the wheel when it comes to one of the most sought-after cosmetic changes: breast augmentation.
Their specialty means they can offer breast augmentation at a more reasonable price, finally offering a long-awaited middle ground between luxury and bargain clinics.
And with their own patent-pending system of care called ENLARGE, Town Plastic Surgery is already innovating and improving upon the plastics industry, which was certainly due for some shaking up.
Keep reading to learn more about their approach and what makes it so appealing for people seeking breast augmentations, or head over to their website to request a consultation!
The New Era in Plastic Surgery
The Food and Drug Administration has been reviewing and approving breast augmentation procedures since the 1970s. While individual cases can vary, at this point, it’s a fairly standard surgery, benefitting from decades of research to make the procedure less invasive and the results more natural.
With breast augmentation becoming so normalized and socially acceptable, it was only a matter of time before the medical industry found ways to make it more affordable and approachable. That’s where Town Plastic Surgery comes in.
Town’s New and Noteworthy Approach
Many, if not most, plastic surgery clinics offer a wide range of procedures, from facial reconstruction to tummy tucks. If you are a patient who regularly seeks out plastic surgery, then having a trusted doctor you can return to for each new procedure makes sense.
But what if you are only seeking to augment your breasts? Traditional clinics tend to be expensive, especially if you are looking for the highest quality of care. If you just want one procedure done well, where can you turn? That’s the question Town Plastic Surgery is looking to answer.
Their approach is to standardize and specialize in breast augmentation. By focusing their attention exclusively on breast augmentation, their board-certified surgeons have honed their craft and expertise. Rather than being generalist plastic surgeons, focusing on a range of procedures and body parts, from facial blepharoplasties to mommy makeovers and Brazilian butt lifts, Town Plastic Surgery are specialists, which improves patient outcomes while keeping costs low.
Town Plastic Surgery represents a new era in the industry. By bringing innovation to the traditional clinic setting, they’re opening the door for so many more people to seek out quality care and achieve the self-confidence they’ve been looking for. You could even call it revolutionary.
Expertise and Innovation
You can feel the difference the moment you step into Town Plastic Surgery’s offices in Manhattan between the technology and the clean, modern decor, but the true difference starts with their staff.
A Staff of Specialized Professionals
Town Plastic Surgery’s staff of board-certified experts are true specialists. Led by Dr. Ross Ratner, a leading NYC-based plastic surgeon, the staff at Town have spent years honing their craft. They know the breast augmentation procedure intimately and can offer their patients individualized and specialized care because they’ve seen it all.
They’re also especially interested in innovating upon the procedure, making it less invasive, minimizing healing times, and improving results. Only a specialized environment can foster innovation like that.
A Commitment to Healing
Part of the reason why Town patients are seeing such great results is that the office has developed a signature system of healing. Their patent-pending aftercare program called ENLARGE, combines AI-powered technology with a human touch.
Patients receive daily virtual checkups from Town staff after the procedure, with one or two in-person checkups after about two weeks. For most patients, the full aftercare timeline is as low as five weeks. Many patients simply take a long weekend and get the procedure done on Thursday or Friday, often returning to their jobs on Monday. That’s how minimally invasive and standardized Town’s experience is.
Unfortunately, aftercare is a seriously neglected piece of plastic surgery, especially for more affordable clinics. More interested in their bottom line than in patient care, some offices offer very little care after the procedure.
For Town Plastic Surgery, aftercare is of the utmost importance.
Town’s ENLARGE aftercare program is proven to Strengthen patient results, reduce recovery times, and provide a better overall experience. Patients can easily get in touch with their doctor and care team to ask questions, share their experiences, and receive assurance and affirmation.
From their AI-powered tech to their people-first bedside manner, what’s clear is that Town Plastic Surgery has merged the best of modern medical technology with proven patient care, providing their clients with an efficient but warm experience in which they feel heard and helped.
Visit Town Plastic Surgery’s website today, and see the difference for yourself.
© Provided by US Weekly Town Plastic Surgery
Experience, Experience, Experience
This leads us to the experience of being a Town patient. In addition to their expert skills as plastic surgeons, Town offers patients a truly luxurious and well-honed experience, from their first interaction with the clinic to their last.
Clean and Modern
When patients reach out to Town Plastic Surgery, their first touchpoint is a well-designed and easy-to-understand website. Interested clients are offered a consultation, which can be held either in person or virtually. Town understands that its patients lead busy lives, and they’re willing to go the distance to help them achieve their dream body without majorly inconveniencing themselves.
During their consultations, Town Plastic Surgery uses 4D Vectra technology, so patients don’t need to just imagine what their new body will look like, they can actually visualize it and make tweaks as needed and select the type of implants and type of placement that is just right for them.
After their consultation (both virtual or in-person), patients come into the office and are immediately met with a sleek, bright, and clean office, smartly outfitted with modern decor. The elegant office space, located just south of Bryant Park in Manhattan, offers a luxurious experience at a fraction of the cost of similar clinics.
While breast augmentation is fairly standard, it’s important that you go to an office that puts effort and care into designing a beautiful, safe, and relaxing environment, and that’s exactly what Town Plastic Surgery has done at their New York office.
Personal and Human
Town Plastic Surgery sits at the intersection of great technology and interpersonal care. Nowhere is that clearer than in their clinic. In addition to their team of highly trained doctors, Town also employs a wide staff of nurses who are uniquely focused on making this a stress-free and even relaxing experience.
Before, during, and after the procedure, nurses regularly check in with the patient, monitoring their progress and answering any questions as they come up. It’s truly a best-in-class experience, and it’s amazing to see it offered at such a reasonable price.
Town Plastic Surgery Is the Future of Plastic Surgery
Speaking of, let’s talk about price. With breast augmentation procedures starting well below the Manhattan industry average at $6500, Town Plastic Surgery represents an exciting new option for patients.
In an age where so many industries are being reinvented to better serve customers, it’s about time that plastic surgery started to follow suit. The type of experience that Town Plastic Surgery offers used to be reserved for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy. Not anymore.
With a specialized practice that exclusively offers breast augmentation, Town Plastic Surgery is able to offer its patients high-quality care at reasonable prices.
If you’ve been looking for a sensational experience with the best technology and doctors available but have been deterred by the outrageous prices, Town Plastic Surgery is here for you.
Browse fashion, beauty and health products. Also, check out our gift guides.
This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful, such as wedding-guest outfits, purses, plus-size swimsuits, women's sneakers, bridal shapewear, and perfect gift ideas for everyone in your life. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.
The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from the advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at ShopWithUs@usmagazine.com. Happy shopping!
First such program will provide oversight of training, certification
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) —The Oregon Department of Forestry said Monday it is seeking members for an advisory committee for its new Certified Burn Manager Program, one of many new programs established under Senate Bill 762 in 2021 to help address Oregon’s wildfire crisis.
“The Certified Burn Manager Program is the first of its kind in Oregon,” said Tim Holschbach, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning. “The intent of the CBM program is to provide oversight of training and certification for the safe and effective use of prescribed burning and to promote its use.”
The department is accepting applications to serve on the CBM Advisory Committee through Jan. 31, 2023. The committee will advise ODF on program implementation and help provide oversight. Applications are available on ODF’s website.
“ODF is seeking individuals with experience or expertise with prescribed fire planning, implementation, and regulation to serve on the committee,” said Holschbach. “The goal is to convene a diverse group representative of the full suite of interests in prescribed fire and its impacts to communities across Oregon.”
The committee will meet at least twice a year but will likely meet more frequently the first year as needed. The main duties for committee members will be to advise the State Forester on administration of the program and conduct reviews of proposed certification revocations when requested.
The committee positions are unpaid, but members may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members serve a three-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. Appointments will be made by the State Forester in early February, with the first CBM Advisory Committee meeting in late February or early March.
“This is a great opportunity to help shape a new program that promotes consistent standards and fair and equitable administration of the CBM program,” said Holschbach.
With the CBM rules developed and the advisory committee forming, ODF plans to launch the program in late spring of 2023. Although the certification is voluntary, Holschbach expects many forestland owners and fire professionals will seek certification.
“The certification process is thorough but straightforward,” said Holschbach. “You will need to complete the classroom training curriculum, pass a test, and demonstrate field proficiency.”
There are also streamlined requirements to become certified in Oregon for those that currently hold:
The cost of certification is $50; however, third party training providers may charge fees for the training that they offer. The certification is good for five years and there are no costs for recertification.
“The CBM is a win-win program,” said Holschbach. “It’s a win for the person getting the certification because now in addition to robust classroom training and supervised field experience, they also get certain civil liability protections if a prescribed fire results in unintended impacts.
"Then, it is a win for every Oregonian to have certified professionals using prescribed fire as a tool in a consistent and safe manner to reduce the risks of wildfire throughout the state. We are literally saving lives, protecting property, and minimizing adverse impacts to the environment by treating large landscapes using prescribed fire.”
Recognizing the importance of prescribed fire, the Legislature directed ODF to create a Certified Burn Manager Program for lands under ODF protection. The program was one of several included in SB 762 to address Oregon’s wildfire crisis. The Board of Forestry approved the administrative rules establishing the program during their November meeting.
Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, is the planned and controlled use of fire by a team of experts under specific conditions such as favorable temperature, wind, and humidity. Prescribed fire is used to help reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecosystems that depend on fire, increase wildlife habitat, and increase community and firefighter safety.
“Prescribed fire is a cost-effective tool that can reduce fuels and wildfire risks on large landscapes,” said Holschbach. “Tree thinning, mastication and creating fire breaks are all good tools but we can’t treat the hundreds of thousands to millions of acres necessary to reduce risk without the use of prescribed fire.”
Visit the ODF prescribed fire website this spring to find out more about becoming a certified burn manager.
These should be the best of times for geriatric medicine.
The baby boom has become a senior surge, bringing in a rapidly growing pool of aging patients for geriatricians to treat. According to the US Census Bureau, more than 56 million adults aged 65 and older live in the United States. They account for about 17% of the nation's population. That number is expected to hit 73 million by 2030 and 86 million by 2050.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) estimates that 30% of older people require the attention of geriatricians. These clinicians excel in managing complex cases ― patients with multiple comorbidities, such as coronary artery disease, dementia, and osteoporosis, who are taking a half dozen, and often more, medications.
But instead of thriving, geriatrics as a medical specialty appears to be hobbling. In the 2010s, geriatricians called for "25,000 [such specialists] by 2025." As of 2021, 7123 certified geriatricians were practicing in the United States, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal agency that addresses medical workforce shortages, estimates that there will be 6230 geriatricians by 2025, or approximately 1 for every 3000 older adults requiring geriatric care. HRSA projects a shortage of 27,000 geriatricians by 2025.
The specialty has faced an uphill battle to attract fellows. This year, only 43% of the nation's 177 geriatrics fellowship slots were filled, according to last month's National Resident Match Program report. Family medicine–based geriatrics achieved only a 32% fill rate, while internal medicine–based programs saw a rate of 45%.
Dr G. Michael Harper
"Our numbers are shrinking so we need another approach to make sure older adults get the care they need and deserve," said G. Michael Harper, MD, president of the 6000-member AGS.
But Harper, who practices at the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center, added a positive note: "We may be struggling to increase the number of board-certified geriatricians, but the field itself has made a lot of progress in terms of improving clinical care through advancements in science and in the ways we deliver care."
Harper cited the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), a hospital model developed at the Harvard-affiliated Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which uses an interprofessional team and trained volunteers to prevent delirium and functional decline. HELP has been adopted by more than 200 hospitals worldwide and has been successful at returning older adults to their homes or previous living situations with maintained or improved ability to function, he said.
Dr Mark Supiano
Mark Supiano, MD, professor and chief of geriatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, said the specialty has been in shortage mode since ABMS recognized it in 1988. He was in the initial cohort of fellowship-trained geriatricians, sitting for the first certifying exam in geriatrics offered that year.
"Back then, the demographic imperative of the aging of our society was on the horizon. We're living it now. I knew enough to recognize it was coming and saw an opportunity," Supiano told Medscape Medical News. "There was so much then that we didn't know about how to understand aging or how to care for older adults that there really was such a knowledge gap."
Supiano is an associate editor of Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (McGraw-Hill Education), which has more than doubled in pages and word count during his career.
Katherine Thompson, MD, director of the geriatrics fellowship program at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and co-director of UChicago's Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation (SAFE) Clinic, said money is a major reason for the struggle. "I think probably the biggest driver is financial," she said. "A lot of people are graduating medical school with really astronomical amounts of medical school loans."
Dr Katherine Thompson
Geriatricians, like other doctors, carry a large debt ― $200,000, on average, not counting undergraduate debt, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
But the typical geriatrician earns less than an internist or family medicine doctor who doesn't undergo the additional year of training, Thompson said. "There's not a lot of financial motivation to do this fellowship," she said.
The jobs website Zippia reports that geriatricians earned roughly $165,000 per year on average in 2022. The average annual incomes in 2022 were $191,000 for pediatricians, $215,000 for family physicians, and $223,000 for internists, according to the site.
In other words, Harper said, "geriatrics is one of the few professions where you can actually do additional training and make less money."
The reason for the pay issue is simple: Geriatricians treat patients covered by Medicare, whose reimbursement schedules lag behind those of commercial insurers. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported in 2020 that private insurance paid 143% of Medicare rates on average for physician services.
Harper said overall compensation for geriatricians has "not gained a lot of traction," but they can earn comfortable livings.
Still, representation of the specialty on the American Medical Association's Relative Value Scale Update Committee has led to approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of billing codes that pay geriatricians "for what they do. Examples include chronic care management, advance care planning, and dementia evaluation," he said.
But the geriatrician gap goes beyond money.
Ageism, too, may play a role in residents not choosing geriatrics.
Dr Mary Tinetti
"Our culture is ageist. It definitely focuses on youth and looks at aging as being loss rather than just a change in what works well and what doesn't work well," said Mary Tinetti, MD, a geriatrician and researcher at Yale School of Medicine, in New Haven, Connecticut. "Ageism happens among physicians, just because they're part of the broader society."
Tinetti said she's optimistic that new ideas about geriatricians teaching other primary care clinicians about the tenets of geriatric medicine, which offer a wholistic approach to comorbidities, such as diabetes, atrial fibrillation, dementia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and polypharmacy problems faced by this population, especially those 85 and older.
She has called on her profession to abandon the goal of increasing the numbers of board-certified geriatricians ― whom she refers to as big "G" geriatricians. She instead wants to develop a "small, elite workforce" that discovers and tests geriatrics principles through research, teaches these principles to all healthcare professions and to the public, and disseminates and implements the policies.
"We need a cadre of geriatricians who train all other clinicians in the care of older adults," Tinetti said. "The goal is not more geriatricians but rather the preparation of all clinicians in the care of older adults."
Thompson said geriatricians are teaching primary care specialists, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare providers the principles of age-friendly care. AGS has for the past 20 years led a program called the Geriatrics for specialists Initiative to increase geriatrics knowledge and expertise of surgical and medical specialists.
Some specialties have taken the cue and have added geriatrics-related hyphens through additional training: geriatric-emergency, geriatric-general surgery, geriatric-hospitalists, and more.
HRSA runs programs to encourage physicians to train as geriatricians and geriatrics faculty, and it encourages the geriatrics interdisciplinary team approach.
Richard Olague, director of public affairs for HRSA, said his agency has invested over $160 million over the past 4 years in the education and training of geriatricians and other healthcare professionals who care for the elderly through its Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and Geriatrics Academic Career Awards Program. In the academic year 2020–2021, the two programs trained 109 geriatricians; 456 other geriatric/gerontology providers and students; 44,450 other healthcare workforce professionals and students; and served 17,666 patients and 5409 caregivers.
Harper, like his fellow geriatricians, tells young doctors that geriatrics is a fulfilling specialty.
"I get to care for the whole person and sometimes their families, too, and in the process form rich and meaningful relationships. And while I'm rarely in the position to cure, I always have the ability to care," he said. "Sometimes that can mean being an advocate trying to make sure my patients receive the care they need, and other times it might mean protecting them from burdensome care that is unlikely to lead to any meaningful benefit. There is great reward in all of that."
Supiano said geriatric patients are being helped by the Age-Friendly Health System initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. This is sort of a seal of approval for facilities committed to age-friendly care.
"When you go to your hospital, if they don't have this age-friendly health system banner on the front door...you either ask why that is not there, or you vote with your feet and go to another health system that is age-friendly," he said. "Geriatricians are eternal optimists."
Howard Wolinsky is a Chicago-based medical journalist. You can read more of his stories about prostate cancer at TheActiveSurveillor.com.
For more news, follow Medscape on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Public understanding of neurodiversity has seen immense growth in accurate decades and Montanans are taking the steps to continue that growth.
A new institute at Montana State University Billings and newly certified autism centers are making sure more resources are available to neurodiverse kids and adults.
Neurodiversity refers to the differences in human brain function and cognition and is often associated with autism spectrum disorders but can also include additional types of social, mental and behavioral differences and developmental disabilities like ADHD, dyslexia and Tourette Syndrome.
Current neurodiversity resources in Billings are available at Advanced Therapy Clinic, Pediatric Therapy and AWARE, but increasing demand, insufficient trained professionals along with insurance hurdles have made it difficult to treat all neurodiverse children in the area.
Recognizing the need, MSUB opened its Institute for Neurodiversity and Applied Behavior Analysis this summer to simultaneously treat children in the region and train future health professionals to provide these services. Since there are so many types of conditions that fall under neurodiversity, the Applied Behavior Analysis looks at the behaviors of children to determine specific interventions for their behaviors along with more suitable living conditions for them.
In the months since accepting clients, the institute has been credentialed by several insurance companies and a waiting list has quickly developed at the institute. A grant was also announced this fall to increase connections and grow Applied Behavior Analysis services through telehealth to central and eastern Montana facilities.
“It’s still a little bit misunderstood, but I think people are starting to see that it is an evidence-based practice and it does have a great effect on children with disabilities and help them…have a better quality of life,” Hussain noted.
The institute currently serves children in the Billings region with various neurodiversity symptoms through direct and telehealth clinical support. Services are divided into two age groups with treatment for children up to age 6 receiving early intervention treatment on an intensive one-on-one basis and those aged 7-12 learning social skills in groups of four per professional. How many hours of treatment each child receives and what type of treatment they receive are determined by their individual needs and staff availability.
The institute also provides training for children’s families to find out all of their needs and Strengthen their entire quality of life. This includes training sessions with both the child and parent and social skills groups for all the parents in the program. Hussain says this approach has provided them with both a resource and an outlet that wasn't previously available.
“The parents have already told me how much they not only love coming there because they get to hang out and talk with each other, but they told me it’s one of the few places they schedule to take their children that they aren’t resistant to coming to,” Hussain said. “They are pretty excited to come to our group, which makes me pretty happy that I’ve created a safe space for them where they feel excited to go to.”
Director of the MSU Billings Institute for Neurodiversity & Applied Behavior Analysis Krystin Hussain is photographed at the Institute on campus on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
‘Differences, not deficits’
In addition to a greater understanding of neurodiversity and what it specifically entails, how to properly treat it has also developed over time. Despite being accepted in special education training historically, Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, has gone in and out of favor over the years due to criticisms from the scientific community, according to Montana Center for Inclusive Education Director Tom Manthey.
“It’s not just ABA, but there was a time where there was a medical model of providing services to kids with disabilities, and that general model got kind of discredited, where you kind of looked at someone not as a human being but as a patient,” he said.
Manthey explained that ABA along with that model was largely abandoned by MSUB by the 1980s and it was only when it became an advanced studies option for students in 2009 that the university begin to explore its application in the broader context of disability services.
The biggest shift in treatment today comes in a positive approach of reinforcing neurological differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. Manthey used professional soccer player Tim Howard as an example of someone whose Tourette’s diagnosis decreased his response time and improved his abilities as a goalkeeper. With a similar approach being used for every client, the resulting treatment now embraces these advantages along with any possible disadvantages.
“The biggest difference in the neurodiversity movement is viewing how they are as differences, not deficits,” Hussain said.
A four-year-old child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder works with Registered Behavioral Technician Cassian Rawden at the MSU Billings Institute for Neurodiversity & Applied Behavior Analysis during the child's regularly scheduled applied behavior analysis session at the college on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
In addition to a full staff, the institute provides MSUB students opportunities for internships and student-work towards grad and undergrad degrees in ABA, psychology, rehab and mental health counseling, special education, school counseling and others in applicable fields offered by the college.
Through the new $25,000 grant by the Montana Healthcare Foundation, the institute will establish connections with local school personnel and medical providers in central and Eastern Montana where behavioral services for children are minimal or non-existent.
To date, Hussain has met with professionals in Miles City, Lewistown, Glendive, Wolf Point and Glasgow to share professional ABA practices and potentially set up telehealth options to connect clients back to the institute at MSUB. She intends to travel to Baker next February to establish further connections.
“Basically, we’re reaching out to anywhere in Eastern Montana,” she said.
Building a stronger community
Back in Billings, various organizations have begun providing more inclusive options to those on the spectrum.
In 2022, the Billings Chamber of Commerce, VisitBillings, ZooMontana, the Billings Depot and Boothill Inn & Suites have all become Certified Autism Centers through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, or IBCCES, with a focus on increasing tourism. With the certification, businesses and organizations can now provide accommodations to those on the autistic spectrum who may be sensitive to certain sensory triggers with sound, light, textures.
Within the last month, United Way of Yellowstone County also began training their staff towards certification in order to provide better care for both the kids involved in their out-of-school time programs in Billings and Lockwood’s school districts.
United Way of Yellowstone County CEO and President Kim Lewis said the idea came both after learning of other businesses getting certified and the potential benefits they could have for their work.
“We serve a lot of children…and our staff are always wanting to learn and, quite frankly, they struggle to be the best that they can with the kiddos who have different ways of learning, different ways of responding to life,” she said. “So, it just kind of made sense that we should get certified too so we can… better understand what we’re working with.”
The certification program through IBCCES is an online, self-guided program that takes roughly 14-16 hours for individuals to complete and modules detailing autism and the spectrum along with other types of mental conditions including trauma, depression and anxiety before taking a final exam.
Outside of their work with the kids, United Way has been exploring how to apply the training to their own staff diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and students’ parents through focus groups to develop behavior plans for their kids. United Way’s out-of-school time program director Michelle Lamberson said it's helped everyone recognize existing mental conditions rather than discover new ones in their community.
“From what I’ve learned from this training is that we’re just better at spotting it now,” she said about neurodiversity. “It’s just so many shades of gray that (before) you just thought that person had a little quirk, but it actually is a social development thing that’s been around for a long time that we didn’t know.”
Although the program doesn’t teach Applied Behavioral Analysis specifically, similarities between the two like positive reinforcement and individual direction are apparent. Under the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders are guaranteed the right to an individually appropriate education but it doesn’t mandate services specifically for it. Despite it not being written in law, more parents and administrators are starting to agree that such treatments offer the best outcomes for children.
Since United Way works directly with students, their parents and the school districts, the hope is that the application of this training can create a continuity of care throughout children’s time both in and out of school. Along with their continued training going forward as needed, Lewis also hopes for United Way to become a resource for other local nonprofits and share their experiences in earning certification, and how its vast applications could benefit their work.
"A lot of the smaller nonprofits don't have the resources to put their staff through it," she said of the certification process. "So, anything we can do to kind of educate or help share the experience just helps make our community stronger."
A four-year-old child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder works with RBT Cassian Rawden at the MSU Billings Institute for Neurodiversity & Applied Behavior Analysis.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is seeking members for an advisory committee for its new Certified Burn Manager (CBM) Program.
This is one of many new programs established under Senate Bill 762 (2021) to help address Oregon’s wildfire crisis.
“The Certified Burn Manager Program is the first of its kind in Oregon,” ODF's Fire Protection Division Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning Tim Holschbach said. “The intent of the CBM program is to provide oversight of training and certification for the safe and effective use of prescribed burning and to promote its use.”
Forest landowners use the burns to eliminate woody fuels that build up from forest thinning and after timber harvests.
The department is accepting applications to serve on the CBM Advisory Committee through Jan. 31, 2023. The committee will advise ODF on program implementation and help provide oversight. Applications are available on ODF’s website
“ODF is seeking individuals with experience or expertise with prescribed fire planning, implementation, and regulation to serve on the committee,” Holschbach said. “The goal is to convene a diverse group representative of the full suite of interests in prescribed fire and its impacts to communities across Oregon.”
The committee will meet at least twice a year but will likely meet more frequently the first year as needed. The main duties for committee members will be to advise the State Forester on administration of the program and conduct reviews of proposed certification revocations when requested. The committee positions are unpaid, but members may be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Members serve a three-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. Appointments will be made by the State Forester in early February with the first CBM Advisory Committee meeting in late February or early March.
“This is a great opportunity to help shape a new program that promotes consistent standards and fair and equitable administration of the CBM program,” Holschbach said.
With the CBM rules developed and the advisory committee forming, ODF plans to launch the program in late spring of 2023. Although the certification is voluntary, Holschbach expects many forestland owners and fire professionals will seek certification.
“The certification process is thorough but straightforward,” Holschbach said. “You will need to complete the classroom training curriculum, pass a test, and demonstrate field proficiency.”
There are also streamlined requirements to become certified in Oregon for those that currently hold:
The cost of certification is $50; however, third party training providers may charge fees for the training that they offer. The certification is good for five years and there are no costs for recertification.
“The CBM is a win-win program,” Holschbach said. “It’s a win for the person getting the certification because now in addition to robust classroom training and supervised field experience, they also get certain civil liability protections if a prescribed fire results in unintended impacts. Then, it is a win for every Oregonian to have certified professionals using prescribed fire as a tool in a consistent and safe manner to reduce the risks of wildfire throughout the state. We are literally saving lives, protecting property, and minimizing adverse impacts to the environment by treating large landscapes using prescribed fire.”
Recognizing the importance of prescribed fire, the Legislature directed ODF to create a Certified Burn Manager Program for lands under ODF protection. The program was one of several included in SB 762 to address Oregon’s wildfire crisis. The Board of Forestry approved the administrative rules establishing the program during their November meeting.
Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, is the planned and controlled use of fire by a team of experts under specific conditions such as favorable temperature, wind, and humidity. Prescribed fire is used to help reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecosystems that depend on fire, increase wildlife habitat, and increase community and firefighter safety.
“Prescribed fire is a cost-effective tool that can reduce fuels and wildfire risks on large landscapes,” Holschbach said. “Tree thinning, mastication and creating fire breaks are all good tools but we can’t treat the hundreds of thousands to millions of acres necessary to reduce risk without the use of prescribed fire.”
Visit the ODF prescribed fire website this spring to find out more about becoming a certified burn manager.
