NACTEP

NATIVE AMERICAN CAREER TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM

(NACTEP)

The Native American Career Technology Education Program provides in-house vocational training opportunities in Business Technology, Child Care Occupations and Medical Coding. Individuals who complete training in any of these fields increase their marketability and employability, not just within the Cherokee Nation, but within the private sector as well.

All three areas train for nationally recognized certifications. The program is provided at no cost to participants. NACTEP pays all associated costs, including books, supplies, testing fees, and uniforms (were required).

Once determined eligible for entrance into the program, the participant may also qualify to receive an hourly stipend while attending. This cost of living stipend makes it possible for the participant to commit to this full-time, 40-hour a week program.

In addition to the specific training components, participants may require basic skills instruction or GED preparation, both of which will be provided by Career Services' Career Literacy Center . All participants are also registered with the Oklahoma Career Information System (OKCIS), entered into the Career Services Job Bank system, and test for WorkKeys certification.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• Reside within the jurisdictional area
• Be a member of a federally recognized tribe
• In order to qualify for a training stipend, must have no other source of income
• If applicable, male applicants must register or be registered with Selective Service

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CLASS

The Business Technology component will prepare participants for jobs in all areas of office occupations, in relation to participants' abilities and interests. This component will emphasize computer literacy and will utilize the computer in all training aspects presented. Since some positions require more training than others, the component will be flexible, utilizing an open entry/open exit strategy.

The Business Technology class trains individuals for the Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certification. The MOUS training areas are in Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint. An individual can receive certification in any or all of these areas. In addition, participants receive training in all areas of office work, including filing, business math, telephone techniques, office procedures, and office machines. Many opportunities exist for hands-on learning experiences in various office settings.

As entering participants will possess a wide range of skill levels, each will be working and learning at a different level. Some participants will possess little or no prior experience in office skills. These participants are afforded the opportunity to advance within the program as skills and knowledge increase. Other participants possess basic office skills, but are in need of, or otherwise desire, further training to increase their skill proficiency and receive MOUS certification. The Business Education Program incorporates all of those skills that are necessary across the wide spectrum of clerical related positions and particularly focuses on the needs of the tribe.

The Business Technology participants will be afforded an on-the-job practicum at the end of their training period. The Education Specialist will coordinate the practicum with the training instructors and potential employers, including the Cherokee Nation. The length of the practicum period will be dependent on the requirements of the job level and the individual needs of the participant and may vary from participant to participant. This placement is designed to increase permanent placement by allowing potential employers the opportunity to observe participant skills on the job.

CHILD CARE OCCUPATIONS CLASS

The Child Care Occupations class provides adult Native American students with the skills they need to be competent and effective child care providers. Through a partnership with the Cherokee Nation Child Care and Development Program, the students are given an opportunity to gain experience in child care through "hands-on" training. This experience, coupled with the classroom instruction they receive, fully arms them with confidence and the knowledge necessary to enter the child care profession.

The training to become a credentialed Child Development Associate (CDA) requires a 12-month period. Child Development Associate credentialing requires a professional resource file, observations of on-site performance by a CDA advisor, parent evaluations and an oral and written evaluation by a CDA representative. This information is sent to the Council for Early Child Professional Recognition in Washington , DC , which determines if the participant is awarded the CDA credentials.

The Child Development Associate Credential training offered is nationally recognized credential through the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. The Credential is incorporated into the childcare licensing regulations of 47 states and the District of Columbia . In addition, this training is taught in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma , College of Continuing Education , and the state Vocational Technical Training System. The CDA credential has become a recognized part of the career training ladder in the state for early childhood professionals. Coursework matriculates to the two year college system, resulting in six hours of college credit and allowing the students opportunities to further their education beyond this program.

Due to the sensitive nature of the child care field, participant selection is strict and requires additional eligibility factors. In addition to the standard eligibility requirements, an applicant must also possess a high school diploma or GED, provide three written character references from non-relatives, score at least at the 8th grade level on the Language portion of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TA13E), receive a Tuberculin test and submit to an Oklahoma State Bureau of investigation (0513I) background check and a urinalysis drug test. Though the requirements are strict, a career in child care can be both rewarding and satisfying.

MEDICAL CODING CLASS

The Medical Coding class will prepare students for certification as a Certified Procedural Coder (CPC) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The training will consist of nine months of classroom training, followed by a three month on-the-job practicum with the Cherokee Nation's Health Services Group.

Hospitals and medical providers report coded data to insurance companies or the government for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, in order to receive reimbursement. Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations because of its impact on revenues and in describing health outcomes. The CPC credential demonstrates tested data quality and integrity skills in a coding practitioner. The CPC certification exam assesses mastery or proficiency in coding rather than simple entry-level skills.

Certified Procedural Coders are professionals skilled in classifying medical data from patient records. They review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and medical procedure. They must possess expertise in the ICD-9-CM coding system and the surgery section within the CPT coding system. In addition, the CPC is knowledgeable of medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology.