#Equipment testing for Competent Person

[renusharma1234]

Understanding Insurance Survey and Loss Assessment Services

In the dynamic world of insurance, ensuring accuracy and transparency in policy coverage and claim settlements is crucial. This is where Insurance Survey and Loss Assessment Services play a vital role. These services help insurers and policyholders determine the extent of loss, damage, and compensation eligibility in the event of an accident, disaster, or unforeseen event.

What is an Insurance Survey?

An insurance survey is a professional inspection conducted to assess the risks associated with insuring a particular asset, property, or business. Surveyors evaluate the value, safety measures, compliance, and potential hazards before an insurance policy is issued. This helps insurance companies determine premiums, coverage limits, and exclusions while ensuring fair and adequate protection for policyholders.

Importance of Loss Assessment

Loss assessment is critical when a policyholder files a claim. Insurance surveyors inspect the damaged property, equipment, or assets and prepare a comprehensive report outlining the extent of loss and the amount claimable under the policy. This ensures transparency and accuracy, preventing fraudulent claims while facilitating fair settlements.

Key Roles of Insurance Surveyors

Insurance surveyors and loss assessors are responsible for:

Pre-insurance Risk Assessment – Evaluating risks before policy issuance.

Loss Inspection – Assessing damages after an incident.

Claim Verification – Ensuring claims are legitimate and within policy terms.

Damage Estimation – Calculating losses and determining compensation.

Fraud Prevention – Identifying fraudulent claims and discrepancies.

Report Submission – Providing detailed reports to insurance companies.

Industries Benefiting from These Services

Property and Real Estate – Fire, theft, or natural disaster damage assessments.

Automobile and Transportation – Vehicle accident and damage surveys.

Marine and Cargo – Loss evaluation for shipping and logistics.

Engineering and Construction – Assessing project-related risks and damages.

Healthcare and Medical – Claim validation for medical policies.

Why Choose Professional Insurance Survey and Loss Assessment Services?

Hiring qualified surveyors ensures accurate evaluations, unbiased assessments, and fair settlements. With expertise in different industries, professional surveyors provide detailed analysis, minimizing disputes between insurers and policyholders.

Conclusion

Insurance survey and loss assessment services are indispensable in the insurance sector. They provide clarity, prevent fraud, and ensure that claims are settled fairly and efficiently. Whether you’re an insurer looking for accurate risk assessment or a policyholder needing fair compensation, expert surveyors make the process seamless and transparent.

Need professional insurance survey and loss assessment services? Contact us today for reliable and unbiased evaluations!

[centaurianthropology]

Murderbot as a ‘Cringe’ Litmus Test for the Audience (a.k.a., we are culturally the Corporation Rim)

One of the more interesting things I’ve seen in discussions of ‘Murderbot’ are how many people are not happy that the show made the Preservation team more explicitly hippies.  After all, per our current cultural zeitgeist, hippies are silly, over-earnest, over-feeling, over-EVERYTHING. Why is this team of scientists holding hands and humming?  Why are they taking breaks in the middle of a tense situation to reassure a colleague that they love him? Why do they stand around playing music and dancing during their downtime?  Why did the show make them “Cringe”?

And that got me thinking again about the current cultural antipathy toward sincerity and openness.  People who are seen as open and sincere beyond a fairly narrow scope of emotional expression are treated as deeply weird, off-putting, and most importantly for this conversation, as INCOMPETENT.  You can’t be goofy and competent.  You can’t believe in the power of love and friendship and holding hands and taking a dance break, and still be a good scientist.  You can’t have one of the unsexy sorts of mental health problems (panic disorder) and be a good leader.  In our current cultural moment, you have to be Cool.  You have to be unaffected by both the horrors of the world and the day-to-day joys. 

I think that a lot of people see themselves in ‘The Murderbot Diaries’, and a lot of them understandably love the very anticapitalist tone of the books.  And they wanted Preservation to be Cool Space Communists.  Hypercompetent at all times, serious, without flaw.  Because any personal flaws might be taken as flaws in their cultural and political leanings, right?  And we can’t have silliness or goofiness or fun in our Communist Utopia, or people won’t take us seriously.

But to me, the tension is so much better, so much more real and human and FUN. And it makes the audience question their own implicit biases as much as SecUnit is going to have to contemplate its implicit biases.  This team is comprised of highly talented scientists from a culture that values emotions and, yes, activities that we the audience have been culturally trained to think are Cringe.  They do have a humming consensus circle—so that anyone in the team can have veto power over a decision that has major ramifications not only for a research project, but for their own ethics.  They do like to play music and dance when they’ve got some free time, even if that music would be considered embarrassing or offputting to outsiders.  They do openly love one another and support one another, even in—no, especially in—challenging times.  It’s good to have that tension, both to tell the story and to give the characters and the AUDIENCE an emotional and thematic arc.

Let’s use Dr. Mensah as a the best example so far of this tension. Mensah is a good leader.  In every scene where she’s with the group, she’s the heart of it.  She’s always weighing the fears, the thoughts, the feelings, and the arguments of her friends to come to a decision.  She doesn’t feel like Gurathin’s right about not trusting SecUnit, but she’s also very aware that he knows more about the Corporation Rim than she does, and that his arguments, while rooted in his fears, are rational.  So she ends up deciding that they’ll leave the SecUnit behind for their mission. 

And it’s the wrong call. Going out to the dark site in the map without the SecUnit almost gets her killed. But her decision to climb the scree pile alone makes sense, because she doesn’t want to further endanger Bharadwaj, and if she doesn’t climb up there with her equipment, they won’t get important information about what’s going on with their survey data. And yes, while she’s climbing she has another panic attack. But she keeps climbing through it. Hell, she even takes a moment to encourage the teamwork between SecUnit and Gurathin, because that’s an important part of being their leader.  And, yes, they both roll their eyes because they still don’t like one another. But the important thing is that she’s created this sense of openness, of acceptance, of love.

Being a good leader doesn’t mean making the right call all the time.  It means learning from both right calls and wrong calls.  It means creating an environment where people can be wrong, and learn from their mistakes, and try again to get it right.  And it works!  Gurathin may roll his eyes, but he also has the space to apologize for getting it wrong. He has the space to fuck up and try again. And that is created by her encouragement, by her openness, by her caring even when it becomes embarrassing to a man raised in our culture the Corporation Rim, where open emotion is something to smirk at.

And when she’s alone, Mensah falls apart.  When no one can see her, she has panic attacks, because things are starting to go pear-shaped for these people she loves.  Because one of her dear friends nearly died, and she wasn’t there, and apparently that could happen at any time because their maps are faulty, and the only real rescue is an untrustworthy bond company that is a week away at best.  That’s a perfect recipe for a panic attack, but she hides them because she knows what she needs to be for her friends and colleagues.  She is the leader, and damned if she’s going to let something like her panic disorder stop her from doing that.

That’s not incompetent, that’s incredibly courageous.  Her bravery lies in being afraid and pushing through, not being flawless from the off.  The bravery and the competence and the things that eventually are going to win Murderbot over to loving these humans ARE their flaws and the fact that they don’t let those flaws stop them from trying to be the best people they can be, while also being true to a culture of being open and loving to the point that they can come across, to the jaded construct or audience member, as Cringe.

I think we’re going to see more and more of that as the show unfolds.  We’ve only just laid the groundwork, and established the initial impressions of all the characters.  They are being set up for arcs, and by electing to let the Preservation team be more out-there, more earnest, more Cringe, they’re setting the audience up for an arc too.

Anyway, loving the show, can’t wait for the DeltFall storyline to kick off tonight.  And I love this crew being highly-competent space hippies with realistic human flaws, who love and support one another.  In an unrelentingly Cool, Bleak, and Edgy television landscape, it really is nice to have kind characters be free to be their kooky selves without the show judging them for it.

[loonexists]

My wild Red Valley take is I actually think Bryony liked Gordon. I actually think Gordon is the only person at Red Valley she liked. Up until the moment she got fired because of him of course.

Like obviously she needed him to get information on Aubrey. But she could've interrogated and then got rid of him the moment Warren was in the pod. And she didn't!

She didn't like Clive, she wasn't happy with Pam and Grace and the only reason Warren was involved was her desperation. Her boss, her assistants and even her test subject were all not her choice. But you know who was her choice? Gordon Porlock.

She thinks they're similar and she wants Gordon to see and accept it too. She thinks he is competent which is a lot coming from Bryony. Especially since Gordon himself is not qualified for any of this. He's not qualified to address a scalpel wound, he's not qualified to manage the mental state of The Most Traumatized Person Ever and he's not qualified to look after a facility full of complicated and expensive equipment. And yet she keeps him. Of course, she is condescending and derogatory to him but I think it's just the way she is to people.

I don't think they could've been friends in another universe. And I don't think she cared. But I do think she liked him. Maybe she liked him as one might like an ant. But she liked him nonetheless.

[darkskywishes]

Being disabled/chronically ill is expensive!

I don't know if people realize how freaking expensive it is to be disabled. I have a complex medical history, which includes two rare genetic illnesses, comorbidities associated with those two illnesses, and several mental health conditions. Just to give an idea of how expensive it is (USA-centric):

I'm forced into living in a specific city, since that's where the medical specialists for my illnesses are located in. On top of that, sometimes the specific specialists I need aren’t covered by my insurance, so I have to pay out-of-pocket. Each medical specialist (when covered by insurance) costs me $40/visit. I average 2-3 visits per month.

Wheelchairs and everything related to wheelchairs are ridiculously priced! If you’re a regular manual wheelchair user, for example, you likely need what’s referred to as a “custom ultra-lightweight wheelchair”. The main companies known for making these wheelchairs are TiLite, Quickie, RGK, Kuschall, and Ki Mobility. If you go on the websites for these manufacturers, you’ll see that just the frame will start you at $2,000+. Need titanium instead of aluminum to make the chair lighter? Extra $1,000. Need to add a seat cushion? More $$. Need to add a power assist device like a SmartDrive? Extra $6-7,000

Seriously, wheelchair parts are expensive. Manual wheelchair wheels will run you about $500 to $800 each (take a look at websites like Spinergy to see what I mean). Wheelchair tires will run at about $300 for the pair.

Mental healthcare! Competent psychiatric care is difficult to come by, at least where I live. Most psychiatrists are not contracted with any insurance companies. My own psychiatrist is $200 per visit, and that’s considered cheap in my area. Then, add on the cost of weekly therapy. My therapist is $150/session. Again, typical price for the area. Need residential treatment? As an example, my insurance quoted me $750 per day until the out-of-pocket max of $6,500 was met.

The monthly cost of medications! I take 7 medications. Even if each medication was “only” $10/month, that would total to $70/month.

The cost of specialized diets. Many chronic illnesses require special foods, supplements, and overall diets. A lot of these diets require extra time and expenses beyond what the average non-disabled person spends.

I wanted to spread some awareness on this issue because, even among my friend group, I regularly get surprised reactions on this topic. Disabled people are often low-income due to being unable to work consistently or at all, while also having some of the highest expenses—with many of those expenses having to be paid for completely out-of-pocket. While a lot of the examples I used above were specific to the US healthcare system, I’m aware that it’s still similarly expensive to be disabled in other countries as well.

A lot of this wasn’t even taking into consideration the cost of more expensive medical equipment, like power chairs, as well as irregular medical costs that occur more frequently among disabled people—like surgeries, hospitalizations, and the cost of diagnostic testing (MRIs, X-Rays, bloodwork, etc.).

Disabled people are taken advantage of when it comes to the price of medical equipment and medications because we don’t have a choice if we want to live and/or have any quality of life. We pay it, or we suffer.

[scramjettracy]

Mr Tracy, there have been questions asked recently about International Rescue’s methods of operation, and rightly some criticism. It appears that often rescues seem unplanned, without oversight or using risky or unproven technologies on the general public.

There are multiple lawsuits in damages against International Rescue slowly moving through the courts. There is rumour that one of your own operatives was killed last year during an operational incident, and there has been footage of Thunderbird One flying damaged with smoke appearing, albeit very unfocused.

How do you respond to these criticisms?

Dear Anon, thank you for your questions which are important ones.

I’m sure you’ll understand I cannot comment on specific ongoing legal proceedings other than to say I am confident that all actions of International Rescue have always been carried out with the best of intent and as well as possible within the circumstances of each rescue and I believe the courts will come to a just decision in each case.

To answer your points more generally:

Rescues seem unplanned

The team spends at least 14 hours a week completing training scenarios for every rescue situation we can think of. Including some that might seem rather far fetched - we try to be as prepared as possible.

It is, you will appreciate, impossible to predict everything and humankind itself is often the most difficult factor. Therefore we try our best to be flexible and think on our feet to do whatever we can to help people in incredibly dangerous circumstances.

I’m sure you will agree that is preferable to only intervening when there is time to create a comprehensive plan of action - indeed, those more routine and unrushed situations may be and are competently dealt with by our colleagues at the GDF.

Without Oversight

This is incorrect. International Rescue provide extensive reports on every rescue activity to a specialist department of the GDF who are responsible for monitoring and advising as appropriate. There is a two-way dialogue with the department about preventative actions and engineering or regulatory improvements which could avoid similar situations arising and you will find that IR’s unseen contribution in this area has saved even more lives than our direct action has.

Risky or unproven technologies

Our technology is engineered for safety with numerous failsafes. It is tested repeatedly in far harsher conditions that it is ever likely to be used in. Its quality is evidenced by the fact people keep trying to steal it.

In addition, every time a new piece of equipment is introduced, further extensive training takes place. Improvements are made. If ever one of our ships or gadgets proves insufficient during a rescue, we seek to remedy this for next time.

Injuries and Damage

I can confirm that on some occasions the Thunderbirds vehicles have suffered damage but each time they have been repaired and are not sent into a rescue situation unless they are in good working order.

I am pleased to confirm that although occasionally our operatives do suffer injuries during the dangerous work they carry out to save others, none of those injuries have been fatal and we all continue to serve the world in every way open to us.

Any further questions

We would be delighted to discuss any further questions or concerns. Please direct them to complaints@internationalrescue.org and they will be forwarded to the best person to address them.

[lets-talk-gundam]

The MS-07B Gouf

In preparation for the invasion of Earth, Zeon forces modified a number of MS-06 Zaku-II F-types for use under the effects of the planet's gravity. The new "J-type" Zaku-IIs featured a number of internal hardware and software changes to enhance their viability on the ground.

The Zaku-II J-Type would be used as a testbed for new developments with the goal of creating a new mass-production mobile suit for use on the ground. And where the Zaku was intended for anti-ship and anti-aerospace combat, this new platform would be built to fight other mobile suits.

Zimmad and Zeonic would both begin working on this new project, directly competing with one another, but eventually coming up with very similar designs. Zeonic moved forward with the YMS-07A Prototype Gouf, and Zimmad presented the YMS-08A High Mobility Test Type.

While Zimmad's design failed to show a significant increase in performance from the Zaku-II J-Type, Zeonic's "Gouf" showed immense promise. The prototype would be picked up and would see a limited production run as the MS-07A Gouf.

The MS-07A was a pre-production model intended for data gathering. The final mass-production model would feature several additional weapon systems, such as an in-built 75mm machine gun in the left manipulator, and a retractable "Heat Rod" on the left forearm.

The Gouf was used to great effect by Zeon captain Ramba Ral, who went toe-to-toe with the Earth Federation's infamous RX-78-2 Gundam.

Among the Ace pilots who used the Gouf as their personal units, Viche Donahue, Silas Locke, and Norris Packard were among the most well-known. All three of these aces would become battlefield legends, with Packard's MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom becoming especially infamous. The machine's equipment proved so effective that it became a common alternate loadout for many Gouf pilots.

The MS-07 would be customized for a variety of roles and theaters, with many of these variants seeing further developments of their own.

Notable among these was the MS-07W Gouf Combined Test Type, which featured a miniaturized Dopp fighter serving as its cockpit. The development of the machine was heavily influenced by data gathered from the Federation's RX-series of mobile suits. Namely, their "Core Block" system.

The Gouf would also see another fork, being developed into the MS-07H Gouf Flight Type. While both prototypes made use of thermonuclear rocket engines, the final version used thermonuclear jet engines, allowing for greater efficiency in atmospheric flight.

The MS-07B saw further refinement into the MS-07C. While not much is known about its specifications, there are at least three known variants. A number of Goufs were acquired by Zimmad and used as testbeds for systems to be incorporated into the MS-09 Dom series of mobile suits. These Goufs were MS-07Cs.

And finally, in UC 120, nearly 50 years from the initial deployment of the original machine, Mars Zeon would develop and deploy the OMS-07RF RF Gouf. While externally resembling the MS-07B, the OMS-07-RF was a completely new machine which could also operate in space, unlike its predecessors.

The MS-07B Gouf was originally designed by Kunio Okawara for the 1979 Anime "Mobile Suit Gundam".

This article was a request! Requests are always welcome!

I am so terribly sorry for the delay in getting this post out! It's been a very hectic few months, but I'm hoping to get back in the flow of things!

[vgprintads]

'Vectrex'

[VECTREX] [SWEDEN] [MAGAZINE] [1983]

"The next big poltergeist to come bopping into your neighborhood is General Consumer Electronics' Vectrex. It actually lives up to its billing as the one that "brings real arcade play home." Vectrex is a programmable package that comes with its own nine-inch monitor. Advertised at around $200, it boasts the first-ever vector-graphics screen for home use. Color-television screens operate with raster scan, the process of lighting up zillions of tiny color dots to create images. Vector graphics, on the other hand, uses thin black-and-white line drawings to form clear, brilliant geometric shapes that can give the illusion of three-dimensionality. The arcade game Asteroids is the most popular example of vector graphics; Vectrex games look a lot like Asteroids. The major vector graphics drawback is that it can't produce color images, though we'll eventually see video games that combine the two styles. For those who get the hue downs and lose concentration without color, G.C.E. has. equipped its system with a set of plastic slides that fit over the screen. Standing near the G.C.E. display at last June's Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, I overheard a competing company's rep sneer at Vectrex, "All this proves is that they haven't got color capability." He was right. But an even more distracting problem than the lack of color—which you'll get used to—is the simplicity of the shapes that vector graphics can create. It's hard to believe that that thing on the planet's surface in Scramble is an alien fuel repository when it looks more (exactly, in fact) like a box with an X through it. Still, most of the Vectrex games are set in space, where six lines can represent a pretty fierce-looking Klingon cruiser. The action in these games is superior to that in any of the TV-dependent systems. The visuals are adequate, even starkly compelling at times; the joy stick and the four-button controls are extraordinarily sensitive; and the music is by turns challenging and inspiring. Mine Storm, an unabashed imitation of Asteroids, is programmed into the Vectrex monitor. As a freebie, it's incomparable—tougher in some ways than Asteroids (not Asteroids Deluxe: nothing is tougher than that). The game presents plenty of mean mines, a devilish triangle that rushes out near the end of a rack and a mess of heat-seeking quasi-stellar things that'll make you wish you were a reptile. Remember Asteroids strategy: You've gotta fly or you'll never beat Mine Storm. Vectrex is fast, challenging and stimulating, thanks to G.C.E.'s having liberated home video from the television set. Give it at least a test fly before you buy. The choice you finally make from among all of these games will depend largely on your personality and on what gets you off. Some of that decision will boil down to whether you want action or good looks every former high school boy can identify with that." ~Kevin Cook, Playboy (January 1983)

Source: Allt om Hemdatorer, 1983 (#3) || Internet Archive; Bultro

[mxopifex]

So my current tool partner at work is also a big D&D nerd and we’ve been talking about a game he’s running which has another member of our union as a player. He had them go to the adventure’s guild to get a job at one point and the player started asking questions of the guy at the guild hall like we talk to our dispatcher. “How many hours? Who’s the foreman? Do I need a drug test?”

Which lead to “you should make him do a safety orientation training” and we’ve been cracking each other up all morning making jokes about describing D&D mechanics in jobsite training video language.

“Preventing trips, slips, and falls: be aware of difficult terrain”

“Remember fireball should only be cast by a competent spellcaster. If you are unsure who the competent spellcaster is, ask your supervisor.”

“Any potions used on the job must have an accompanying safety data sheet, or SDS.”

“Make sure you select the correct personal protective equipment for job. For instance some armors such as chainmail and full plate have a negative effect on stealth and are inappropriate for jobs where passing unnoticed is required.”

“Before beginning any task requiring rope be sure to inspect the rope for signs of wear such as burn marks or fraying. If you see any damage, do not use the rope. Mark it out of service and contact your supervisor for a replacement.”

[vegancas]

yesterday was. quite disorganised with a lot of delays. first the efptos machines weren't working, and i heard later that they left the photography equipment at the airport so the person who was meant to pick up misha and mark from the hotel went to get that and someone else was supposed to get them but whoever it was forgot??? so they were both waiting to be picked up while we were waiting for them so they could do the vip panel

anyway they arrived eventually and if my memory were better i could recount more of what they talked about but alas. i just remember them talking about when misha was directing and the story of when j*red messed with his director's chair and how he fell on it 3 times and called jensen a backstabbing fucker for when he pied him, so nothing really new there. they also talked about how we're a country with a lot of tall poppy syndrome, and how it's very different to the us where everyone's trying to basically compete with one another, and how they think here's better. also mark said that misha was really great at playing lucifer. but yeah the two of them together was definitely fun

the first photo was with cas 💖💖 and i was so nervous but i rehearsed it in my head over and over so i could get a hug, it was over so quickly but i know i would've regretted it if i hadn't asked. then was the photo with richard which was uneventful

but my photo with mark next was much more eventful than i could've expected. there was an issue with the camera right when the photographer was about to take our picture and i was standing there for ages with mark and feeling soooo awkward. he's definitely not the type to just stand still so luckily his attention wasn't on me the entire time. he asked me if i had anxiety and if it was "normal or clinical" which i didn't know how to answer??? but for some reason i can't remember he started talking about his wife and all of a sudden he was holding his hands out to me like as if we were standing at the altar about to be married???? and i didn't know if he actually wanted me to take his hands but eventually he'd held them out long enough that i was like i guess?? so that happened!!!! anyway it wasn't long after that the camera stuff was sorted, but the photographer took a bunch of photos of us during the process that i guess i'll never see, and one of just me cos mark had wandered off a bit and was talking to some other people, which they printed as a test shot and put in with my mark photo so now i have one random professional photo of just me from the day too lol

my one regret is that in all that time i was standing there i didn't think to ask to see the crobby kiss photo on his phone!!!!! it was the perfect opportunity and i missed it!!! 😫

anyway because of that delay (and apparently there was a delay during misha's photos later too??) all the panels were pushed back by like an hour or something idk. but the rest of my photos were pretty uneventful also thankfully (but when i met osric i was like woah bcos he's soo pretty actually)

i don't really remember much from julian and alaina's panel, just that alaina said she would've liked to explore playing josie a bit more if she'd had the opportunity to go back on the show. and also julian talked about how he was on a show called heartland? and like 3 seasons after he'd appeared on it he was watching tv with his daughter and they put it on and he found out that his character had died. oh and also he said that someone from the cast (cannot remember who) gave him a book by neil gaiman bcos apparently it had a character very similar to death but he never read it bcos he didn't want to be influenced by it or have it make him feel like he needed to make different acting choices to avoid copying it

richard and osric talked about the time that osric dislocated j*red's shoulder lmao, it's so funny to hear how everyone was cheering for him afterwards. i think there was a question about whether they'd want to come back for s16 and i think they both said yeah, but richard did also say it wasn't something being planned? idk i don't remember exactly

someone asked mark about working on doctor who and he talked for a while about how great matt smith is and how he told him that doing conventions is great. and related to that he talked about how he was the mc for a doctor who orchestra thing here at the same venue where the convention was and i think that's how he met his wife? idk can't remember, but he said she's from sydney which i did not know but he prefers melbourne lol. lots of references to us being convicts from him too lol. and he talked about the one cut line that we already know about from the speech before crowley died, the "even when i lose, i win". but i guess he talked to dabb about it when he got the first script or something when crowley was going to die and gave him a lot of feedback and dabb basically took everything mark had said and put it into the script (but also dabb said the first script wasn't the final script it was just a "placeholder", which sounded so? defensive? to me). and he also talked about (tbh i don't remember if this was during his panel or the vip one) the stunt they did during the scenes when crowley kidnaps all the future prophets to show kevin he's replaceable. how originally they filmed him lifting up one of the women and exploding her and there was blood everywhere (including all over kevin which mark loved because he didn't have to get covered in anything because he's crowley lol) and then they had to cut it out because they weren't allowed to explode a woman on network tv

misha also told the story of osric dislocating j*red's shoulder, but he was actually in the room when it happened (richard told us he was in the room before it happened and then back right after it happened but he's heard the story so many times he can tell it too now but anyway) and told us how osric didn't actually dislocate his shoulder he broke it. and then cliff and someone else (i don't remember who) thought it was dislocated so went to pop it back in but obviously since it wasn't dislocated they did dislocate it lmao. and we found out misha has family here??? he brought up two kids on stage and i think their mum? was standing off stage with them too, i have no idea what their relation is but i reblogged a video of a bit of it yesterday. after they'd left the stage he joked that they were just some random kids he paid to pretend they were related to him lol. someone asked him what was his favourite version of cas to play and he said it was just regular cas and that he had really become part of him and told the story of jensen's dream for the finale and how the 3 of them teared up hearing about it and said that cas was like an old friend to him, none of which was new but still nice to hear again. oh and someone asked misha if he had plans to publish another book at some stage and he said he'd like to put something out by the end of the year but isn't sure if he'll be able to. and someone else asked if the woman in his poem who wanted the taxi (it was poem 2? in the love poems section? idk i still haven't read it yet oops) ever got the taxi and he said no she didn't (which is what that other video i reblogged was referring too)

also at every panel someone asked who was the actor best at playing their character that was most different from their actual personality and they basically all said julian richings, which after meeting him and seeing him yesterday he really is so different from death lol

they announced that there's gonna be a ahbl14 next year and that we should "start saving" for it now, and someone asked if that meant j*red or jensen were coming but they wouldn't confirm. i found out later that last year they had said misha and jensen were going to come this year (which obviously i didn't go last year so was pleased not to have known that or i'd have felt some disappointment when they first announced just misha) but now that i know that's actually an option that it's something they could and want to do i'm probably gonna go again next year??? anyway friends if you're reading this and they announce cockles con ahbl14 will you all come down to melbourne to visit me???

autographs were pretty uneventful after that aside from misha winking at me again :3 and also seeing osric again i was like woah you're so pretty (genuinely i cannot believe he's almost 40????) but unfortunately by the time i was out of there it was already like 5.30 or something which meant i couldn't get the dinner that i wanted :( at least there was a spudbar so i could get something easily

i took a tram over to where the meet & greet and singalong was and bumped into some of the people i was sitting next to during the panels and went up to one of their hotel rooms for a little while before the meet & greet (which is where i heard all the things that i said i learned later). they were nice ppl but not like my mutuals here on tumblr lol. but unfortunately because of that by the time we went downstairs for the meet and greet all the seats by where the cast would be sitting were taken already so i didn't get to sit next misha like last time :( but still it was nice. but very rushed. but julian kept yelling out when they had to switch tables lol. tbh i regret my table choice because half the table just kept talking amongst themselves and not paying attention to any of the cast and the room was so loud already that i wish i'd sat with people who actually cared about talking to the cast. mark was the last one at our table though and we got to sit with him for a while and he actually said a few times like "i've flown 15 hours to be here but talk amongst yourselves" but you know in a jokey way, and he remembered me from our photo time. someone also asked misha if he had anything he was working on that he could tell us about but he couldn't tell us anything. and tbh i couldn't help but keep staring at osric when he was at the table he was just so pretty dshjgkghdkf

and then misha put the trench coat back on to open up the singalong. i recorded most of it and might post it maybe. but it was sweet they had a group hug before he left. although mark didn't come at all and alaina looked like she was just too tired to still be there (she told us at the meet & greet that she'd taken two naps during the day), so she might rethink coming back here again. but yeah the singalong was fun, julian is so energetic he did the most dancing out of all of them lol

overall i'd say it was a good day. i wish i could've got a heaven and hell photo with mark & misha, and also i lost a glove at some point :( but otherwise i'm happy i went and unfortunately will probably go again lol

[heavy-heavy-rain]

Plus, in some fashion, it does seem like Martina respects him and that's enough for Kokonoe. As long as she can resume her experiments, she will be fine.

Not like everything she has done is to the personal feeding goals. Some of her tech has been very useful to Patent for the company~

She IS technically an employee after all. Contracted~

Pharmaceuticals, PEDs, GMO crops, stress-tested bariatric equipment, the list goes on!

Martina and Makoto are essentially publicly friends and privately only acquaintances. They've learned to smile next to each other at press releases and attend socialite parties together every so often, but the two rarely visit each other's places.

And not just because Martina could crush Makoto's penthouse down to ground level by waddling through it.

Makoto thus knows very little of Kokonoe herself, but he's aware of her work, and it's very impressive and competent! Even if he looks the other way when it comes to the feed-pit prisons and the doughball prey prisoners.

[covid-safer-hotties]

In the U.S. Response to Avian Influenza, Echoes of Covid-19 - Published Sept 2, 2024

By Joshua Cohen

It’s been about five months since the Texas Department of State Health Services announced that a worker on a dairy farm had tested positive for avian influenza A (H5N1) virus after being exposed to apparently infected cattle. Since then, the U.S. public health response has been slow and disjointed, bringing back memories of how the federal government responded during the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite having a pandemic playbook in early 2020, the U.S. appeared flat-footed in its response to Covid-19, including inadequate testing and unavailable personal protective equipment. And throughout the pandemic, mixed messaging on masks and later vaccines set back public health efforts.

As H5N1 circulates, it seems that lessons from Covid-19 remain unlearned. It appears that missteps are being made regarding testing, surveillance, transparency, and failure of communication and coordination throughout the health care system, the same kinds of things that hurt the response to Covid-19.

“The World Health Organization,” according to NPR, “considers the virus a public health concern because of its potential to cause a pandemic.” What may be concerning is that the genetic sequence of the Spanish flu that killed between 50 and 100 million people from 1918 to 1919 was later found to be an H1N1 virus that originated in birds and then somehow adapted to humans. And based on confirmed cases, the case fatality rate could be as high as 50 percent, as over the past two decades roughly half of about 900 people around the globe known to have contracted bird flu died from it. (There are two caveats, however: Due to limited testing, there were likely more cases that were undetected which would lower the mortality rate. And in the last two years, the global case fatality rate seems to have decreased.)

As of Aug. 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 196 dairy cow herds in 14 U.S. states have confirmed cases of avian influenza.

There have been 14 reported cases in humans since 2022, all of whom were exposed to cattle or poultry, and reports suggest that there may be even more sick farm workers who haven’t been tested. There’s no evidence the virus has started to spread among people, but that could change as the situation evolves. The possibility of spillover is always of concern to experts. One of two main competing theories of coronavirus origins and how it evolved into a human-to-human transmissible infection is zoonotic transfer from mammals sold at a wet market in Wuhan, China, to humans.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared at a press conference in June that his department “is trying to corner the virus,” while releasing a report that human activity is a conduit to bird flu being transmitted between animals when workers, cows, vehicles and equipment move between farms.

But experts have voiced sharp criticism of the U.S. government’s response, especially around the lack of comprehensive surveillance efforts to ascertain the extent of the outbreak. When interviewed by KFF Health News, Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health said, “We’re flying blind.” Without sufficient testing, it’s impossible to know how many animals and humans have been infected or whether the virus has begun to spread between people.

As could have been learned from the Covid-19 experience, integral to conventional approaches to curbing transmission of infectious diseases is a comprehensive set of track, isolate, and contact trace policies. These have not been systematically implemented.

"Without a collective effort across all states, there’s nothing to stop avian flu from spreading around the country."

Michigan stands out as a state with a robust policy to track human and animal infections and investigate which activities pose the most risk. First, the state’s chief medical executive told STAT, Michigan tested more individuals this spring than any other state. And then the Department of Health and Human Services in Michigan launched a pioneering effort to detect asymptomatic (silent) bird flu infections among farmworkers. Furthermore, a press release from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development notes that under state rules dairy and commercial poultry producers must implement biosecurity practices, which include establishing cleaning and disinfection protocols at access points for individuals and vehicles.

Investigators believe the virus may have begun to spread in Michigan when workers operating multiple dairy and poultry operations came in close contact with infected cows and moved from one farm to another.

In April, the USDA issued a federal order requiring testing before lactating dairy cattle can be moved across state lines. Michigan, along with nearly two dozen other states, has also issued its own restrictions. But without a collective effort across all states, there’s nothing to stop avian flu from spreading around the country.

Furthermore, how effective can containment be when the USDA’s order only requires testing for bird flu in lactating cows prior to interstate movement, and no other types of animals?

One of the challenges in managing any major outbreak is the question of who’s in charge to coordinate across departments, such as Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Commerce. For the purpose of inter-department coordination, the Biden administration launched an Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy in 2023.

Among federal agencies, the CDC (housed within the Department of Health and Human Services) appears to be the most actively involved in coordinating state efforts. It has provided assistance for a seroprevalence study in Michigan, to assess whether asymptomatic infections are present in people, for example.

But despite these efforts, there’s lack of clarity around who has jurisdictional authority over what and where. Rick Bright, a virologist and immunologist and former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, explained to CNN why he thinks that a more transparent and comprehensive approach to testing and genetic sequencing is needed. He’s concerned that viral adaptations can occur if there are enough opportunities through uncontrolled spread.

The CDC does now have a roadmap, which it announced for preventing and understanding human infection with bird flu and a plan to develop countermeasures. The roadmap’s main objectives include infection prevention by deploying PPE; examination of primary modes of transmission and estimates of incubation periods, duration of infection and severity; monitoring of genetic changes in the virus; and evaluating vaccines and antivirals. CDC Director Mandy Cohen said lessons from Covid-19 have been learned and that CDC is building upon them, for instance, through its wastewater surveillance efforts.

The CDC’s ability to implement these lofty goals may be hampered, however, by seemingly limited resources. The federal government has pledged only modest new funds this year of approximately $200 million to help track and contain H5N1. Separately, the government is allocating $176 million in Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine against H5N1.

And conspicuously absent are concrete plans, such as how to deploy the stockpile of 10 million doses of avian flu vaccines the federal government currently has as well as the inventory of the antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir). By contrast, Finland is now offering vaccines to farmworkers.

"The CDC’s ability to implement these lofty goals may be hampered, however, by seemingly limited resources."

Aside from inadequate funding and preparation, there’s a problem of overcoming public distrust. A survey published in Health Affairs suggests that about 42 percent of American adult respondents in early 2022 said they had confidence in the CDC to provide quality health information during the Covid-19 pandemic, while about a third said they trusted state and local health departments. This may partly explain why the CDC is now having trouble getting farmers to cooperate with even rudimentary tracking and mitigation efforts regarding H5N1.

Lessons from the history of how Covid-19 unfolded underscore the importance of not being complacent in the face of a potential future bird flu pandemic. It would seem imperative to take proactive measures such as systematic testing of animals and humans exposed to the virus, mitigate transmission risk in the dairy and poultry industries, and coordinate federal and state responses.

[tevintersnakes]

Thinking about how the Followers medical training differs from that of doctors from vaults, and general wastelanders.

In terms of textbook and case study information they have far greater access to accurate information than the general wasteland population. In some cases they probably have better information than people taught within vaults because not only do they have pre-war textbooks to go off of but they also have two hundred years worth of adhoc solutions built up. They have enough physician's to be passing around case studies that hinge on the use of limited and alternative supplies to what pre-war hospitals had to build up some standard practices in tight situations. Then of course there is the fact that their practical training leans far more EM & Rural than what any vault dweller doctor is going to see (in a control vault anyway).

Contrast this to vault where you've probably only got a small handful of medical staff. The variety of both case studies and what someone is exposed to over the course of their career is going to be a lot lower.

Followers, by courtesy of the wastes being the wastes are going to get both a higher volume of patients and a much broader variety of cases to work on. Their training as a result is going to be far more well rounded than a vault dweller doctor. Both Followers and vault dwellers at least have far more consistent medical training than the general population of the wastes at least. The general wastes- a lot of people being self taught from whatever textbooks they happen to stumble across. (Can you imagine the wack ways people pronounce the names of some things lmao).

Anyway- OC tie in time here on out.

Antyllus probably has a bit of a culture shock when he starts working alongside them. While he's been out on the road for a while before he joins up with him, he's still in his 20s. That's modern day residency & student age. Sure he's read more case studies and knows more treatment plans than likely anyone around him but he's super textbook focused, growing up in the Institute has provided him with an immense amount of pre-war information but the moment he was out in the wastes??? Having to deal with a lack of supplies and equipment??? His knowledge falls apart.

Proves to the Followers at the Fort that yes he does have medical training and can lay out a treatment plan in response to any case study given to him. Then when let actually practice keeps getting stumped by not having access to equipment he needs, or being unable to carry out the tests required to confirm his suspected diagnoses. 'Cool, great plan Antyllus, but where do you think we'll be getting a CT scanner at this point in time? Where do you think we'll be getting 10mL of y to treat x? Maybe let us take the lead on this one.'

Much to his initial chagrin, he goes from being the most medically competent person around while he was traveling, to being placed into a position equivalent to an intern/junior resident on a probationary period until he gets up to speed on how things are actually practiced out in the wastes. During this time having to repeatedly hit the wall of not being able to pursue the treatment options he knows would resolve the patients issues. Having to wrestle with the fact that despite now working with a team of people that have adapted the best they can to limited supplies that he is still going to have people die in his care - even when he knows the right thing to do.

Back in the Commonwealth, the rest of him probably end up a bit jaded about it, and more aggressive in protecting his personal equipment as a side effect. While with the Followers I think he learns to deal with it much better due to having a support structure or peers. Not only that but rather than having to trial & error it all himself, having a huge amount of improvised tactics being directly taught to him by a bunch of people who have been doing it for years, and have had decades of wastelander tactics being passed around between them.

Having Antyllus around is probably great for the Followers since he's a portable textbook with how well he retains medical facts, and being around them is great for him because he actually learns a lot more than he anticipates. Turns out, having coworkers & peers to share information with is great!

[compo67]

Slowly, but Surely (Don't Call Me Shirley)

Hello, hello.

i am slowly, but surely, recharging my creative batteries. There's less pressure now, but with good things happening. A detailed account of what's been happening. All below the cut. TLDR at the end.

Let's start with the good.

I went to the Big Gay Market in Madison, WI for the weekend. It was marvelous. There were people of all kinds of genders, an affirming and friendly environment, and so many creatives. I felt like I was in community and it's been a long time since I've felt that way. I was sad when it ended. But I bought the most beautiful wreath to hang in my room. I'll snap a picture of it when I can.

I studied the entire month of June, whenever I had a spare moment and for dedicated study sessions.

I made a total of 300 flashcards, wrote 40 pages in my notebook, used 2 test prep books, 3 learning system books, a 100 page summary of competencies, and 2 apps. I answered 2800 practice questions on those apps. I practiced and practiced until I reached at least an 80% in each competency.

And what happened?

I PASSED.

I kicked that exam in the ass! When I saw "passed" on the screen, I nearly whooped in the testing center. I cried in my car as I relayed the news to my mom, who is also an HR professional. I could not believe it. I still can't. Cal Owens, SHRM-CP. It feels SO GOOD to have letters after my name.

I'm also still on that high of completing my HR Management certificate with "high honors" and then earning my SHRM certification right after it.

Then, at the end of May, right before my birthday, I sent in an application to the Arboretum nearby. They were looking for an HR Coordinator. And they weren't requiring at least 3 years experience or a BS in HR. After the radio silence for a month and a half, I gave up on them getting back to me. I sent a follow-up email, as instructed by my mentor, and still no reply. I figured I was set aside and I moved on to apply for more jobs.

Lo and behold, the Arb emailed last week and offered me a phone interview! I spoke with their Talent Acquisition specialist way past the 30 minute time slot, which I took as a good sign. Next step was to have a virtual meeting.

But guess what? They invited me for an in-person meeting instead! My interview was at 9 AM CST yesterday. it was LOVELY. i genuinely enjoyed speaking to the Sr HR Manager. We chatted for almost 90 minutes. It went by so fast. I felt like I had answers to all her questions, however, I wonder if I was direct and clear enough? I haven't interviewed since 2021, and before that since 2016. So I know I'm rusty, I hope my enthusiasm for the role got noticed.

I should know by early next week if they will move me to the third and final round--meeting the VP of HR. The Coordinator will be responsible for managing the VP of HR's schedule in Google. I just learned how to do scheduling in Outlook, I'm sure I can do it in Google.

Anyway! I can see myself working there. The pay meets the market for that kind of job around here, and the benefits are exceptional. And the view from the admin building? Beautiful. There's just a small lane to walk through from the parking lot to the building. I felt like I was in Jane Austen novel. *Dreamy sigh.*

Fingers crossed.

Okay, so let's get the not-so-good stuff over with.

Caregiving for my father continues to be a challenge. I am the only one of his 3 kids he 100% trusts and is close to. I don't get a lot of support from my sisters because A) he prefers me to handle things and B) they don't offer. I always have to ask, and even then, most of the time I end up doing the thing anyway. Sigh.

I tried a bunch of adaptive equipment things for my dad in June. I bought him an electric tea kettle that sits in a cradle and tips over to pour so you don't have to lift it. Well, it works okay for that, but he can't see how much he's filled the kettle. So that went back. I found a pen that "talks" to you. That's been a game changer. You get special labels with bumps on them, tap the pen to the label, and you can record a sound clip! so i attached them to every medication he has in the house. he's been using the pen! Now I just need to convince him to use his white cane.

Watching my dad go through losing his vision has been very difficult. He's a completely different man than the one I knew just 5 years ago. Little by little, things are changing and that change can get overwhelming. I did manage to find him a peer to peer phone program for folks with low vision. He gets a call every month to chat with a lady name Yvies from New Jersey and just talk about what it's like being low vision. I am so grateful to her. The organization will be creating a caregiver support group in the fall and I am on the waitlist.

So, yes. I've gotten overwhelmed at some points, impatient at others, but I show up. In the future, I want to know, that without a doubt, I was there for my father. I just need to figure out how to balance this and find ways to get help.

I continue to miss Henry and my grandma.

Sometime between this past Saturday and Sunday, I fell ill. Like, nauseated, dizzy, lightheaded. [Content Warning: The GI System Going Whack] Then Sunday, I could not retain food or water. I held out for Monday and Tuesday to see if I got better with a little imodium and zofran. Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM, I called my doctor and she said, "Get thee to the ER."

So, I went. My mother was with me. In miracles of all miracles, I only had to wait an hour to be seen in the ER. I was there from 8 AM to 12:30 PM and in that period of time, I got an ultrasound, labs, an IV with a bag of saline, pain meds, and reassurance that my gallbladder and liver were doing fine. And no one misgendered me. It was a good ER trip.

The ER doctor and my PCP have no idea what knocked me out for 5 days. Could have been a virus. Could have been a side effect of mounjaro. It'll be a mystery for the ages, I suppose...

Of course, it took a huge toll on my body. Today was the first day I felt almost normal again. No bloating, no cramping, no burping, and no intense pain in my abdomen. Yay! I am supposed to be eating "light," but dammit, I deserved pasta tonight and I'm not going to regret it!

I also, in my journey through illness, reached the Medicare donut hole. I have to spend $8,000 before my advantage plan will start paying for my meds again. I have to pay 25% of the cost of all drugs. Thank goodness I was able to get on a patient assistance program for my antidepressant, because I could not afford it otherwise. I've moved all my meds, except two, to be generics. I am always trying to cut the cost down as much as I can, whether it's through GoodRx, OptumRx, or Costco. I spend most of my SSDI money on healthcare, medication, and treatments. If we had free universal healthcare, I would have been able to save up all this money, dagnabit.

The difficult things have been... well... difficult. But they are outnumbered by the good things, which makes me smile.

I am excited to be excited about working again. I am doing my best to visualize myself in that role, going into *my* office and sitting at *my* desk. I see myself growing in that department and becoming a specialist in all things HR. This is what I did as I interviewed for the 24/7 Helpline and I got that job. I saw myself getting on a train to Chicago every day until they'd let me go remote. I saw myself as a city queer again. I felt the train to the city already underneath me. I get that feeling with this role. I feel like, if I get it, I will have a Mary Tyler Moore moment.

She's gonna make it after all!

Thank you, if you've red this far. Thank you if you send good vibes for this Arb job. Thank you for just being here. Hell, thank you for being you.

One of my uncles will be visiting us from Chile in early August. I am eager for him to arrive and spend time with us. I know my mom could really use his support and sense of humor right now.

So I will be driving them (and my father, if I can convince him to join us) all around Chicago and the burbs. I hope to gather some TCV ideas from the places we will go. It's exciting to think about.

I really want to take a small trip to Cedarburg, WI. Spend a night there in a bnb, and take in all the shops and restaurants. But my car's oil needs to be changed and my brakes too, so I will have to hold off on traveling for a while.

I would like to get back to work because it's work, but I would also like to get back to contributing to my 401k, saving, paying off my medical debt and car, traveling, and actually affording medication without (too much) sacrifice. Medicare, I was told, would be cheaper than private insurance. Well, I couldn't afford a supplement, so I got stuck with an Advantage Plan. And it's not all that bad (I've met my out of pocket max), but man, do they make it hard to succeed in the system and this is a system primarily designed for seniors??? Sigh.

Anyway!

There you have it. A detailed account of things that I have been up to or coping with or working on since mid-May.

Hockey is gone. Thank goodness the Oilers didn't win the cup. Pavs retired. Wedgie was traded. Delly was traded. Faksa and Tanev were traded. We kept Dutchy, but that was about it. With a burning passion of a thousand suns, I hate Dumba and DeSmith. They will never be my Stars.

Okay. So. Where does this leave me now?

Well, I am slowly getting back "into" my work as an author. I'm hoping I can read a book or two in the next two weeks. I am inspired by the creativity of others and now that I've passed my exam, I have more free time to read and plot things out in my head.

It also helps to you know... not be extremely dehydrated.

Holy smokes, it's late. And this is long.

TLDR: Lots of caregiving, looking for jobs, studying, and recharging has happened in my break from writing. I am focused on securing a job at the Arboretum. I passed my SHRM-CP exam. I had an ER visit this week, but feel much better now.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for taking the care to read this. I appreciate y'all and the safe space y'all have made for me. I'm so glad I get to lean on this cozy, peaceful corner of fandom.

One last time--thank you.

Let's chat more.

-Cal

[surajsamat]

Unleash Your Cricket Passion – Join the Action Today!

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[conniephleb]

Open Your Future: Explore the Comprehensive DCH Phlebotomy Program

Unlock Your Future: ​Explore the Complete DCH Phlebotomy Programme

Are you ready too take ⁣the next step in your ⁣healthcare career? The DCH⁣ Phlebotomy program offers⁣ a comprehensive training experience designed to‍ equip you with essential skills and knowlege. ⁣In this​ article, we will⁢ explore⁣ the various⁢ aspects of the DCH Phlebotomy Program, from its curriculum to its numerous benefits, ensuring that ‌you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future.

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy‍ is the practice of drawing blood‌ from⁣ patients ⁣for diagnostic testing, blood donation, or transfusion purposes. It’s ⁢a vital part of the healthcare system, as blood tests play a crucial role in ⁤disease diagnosis ​and monitoring.Phlebotomists are trained medical professionals who ensure​ the procedure is performed ​safely and effectively.

the ​DCH Phlebotomy Program Overview

the ⁢ DCH Phlebotomy Program provides a robust curriculum that encompasses both theoretical and ‍practical training.​ Participants will gain hands-on‍ experience, learning to work with patients, handle equipment, and understand laboratory procedures. Here’s a closer look at what the program‌ offers:

Course Element

Description

Duration

Typically 4–6 months, depending on the schedule.

Modules

Fundamentals of Phlebotomy, Anatomy & Physiology, ⁤Blood Collection Techniques, and lab Safety.

Certification

Eligible for national certification exams ⁢upon completion.

Hands-On Training

Extensive practice in simulated environments and clinical settings.

Benefits of the‌ DCH Phlebotomy Program

Choosing the DCH Phlebotomy program comes with numerous benefits that can considerably ​enhance your career prospects‍ in the healthcare field:

High Demand: Phlebotomists are in high demand in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Completing this program positions you ⁢for excellent job⁣ opportunities.

Skill Growth: You ⁣will acquire both technical skills and patient interaction techniques, ‌essential for success in this field.

Certification Planning: ‌The program prepares you for national certification exams, bolstering your‍ employability.

Flexible Scheduling: ​ With part-time‍ and full-time options, you can choose a⁣ schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Supportive Learning Habitat: ‍ Instructors provide personalized mentorship, helping you build confidence and competence.

Real-Life Case Studies

To underscore the ‌effectiveness of the DCH Phlebotomy Program, let’s look at a couple of success stories from graduates:

Case Study 1: Sarah ⁤Johnson

After completing the DCH Phlebotomy Program, sarah quickly landed a position at a local hospital. She credits her success to the comprehensive training, stating,⁤ “The​ hands-on experience and the instructors’ real-world advice gave me the confidence I needed to excel in my new job.” Sarah ⁤is now a lead phlebotomist, overseeing training for⁢ new hires.

Case Study 2: Mark Davis

Mark was a career changer​ who completed the⁣ DCH program while working full time. “I‍ never realized how rewarding a career in healthcare could be ​until I enrolled in this ⁢program.The flexible schedule allowed me to balance work⁢ and ‌study effectively,” ​he says.‌ Mark went on to ⁢pursue further studies​ in nursing by leveraging his phlebotomy skills.

First-Hand ⁤Experience: ‍What Students ⁢Say

Prospective students often want to hear directly from⁣ current participants. Here are a few testimonials ⁣from recent graduates:

Emily R: ⁣ “The DCH⁣ Phlebotomy⁣ Program was a transformative experience. I loved the blend ⁢of theory and practice!”

John S: ⁣ “The support⁤ from my instructors was invaluable. They ​truly cared about my success.”

Linda T: “I appreciated how ⁣the⁤ program prepared me for the ​certification exam, helping me feel ready and‌ confident.”

Practical Tips for Success in the DCH Phlebotomy Program

To maximize your ⁣success while enrolled in the DCH Phlebotomy Program, consider the​ following practical tips:

Stay Organized: Keep⁣ track of your​ assignments, deadlines, and practical‌ sessions.

Engage Actively: participate ⁤in class discussions and ask questions to clarify concepts.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Use lab time effectively to hone your blood collection ​techniques.

Network: connect with classmates ⁤and instructors for support and future job opportunities.

Study Consistently: Allocate time for reviewing course ⁢materials regularly⁢ to reinforce your learning.

Conclusion

The DCH Phlebotomy Program ‍ is⁣ more than just an educational prospect; it’s a gateway to‍ a fulfilling career in⁢ the healthcare ‌sector. With​ a comprehensive ⁢curriculum,hands-on training,and exemplary support ‌from seasoned instructors,this program positions you for success. By enrolling​ in the DCH Phlebotomy Program, you are not just unlocking your future;​ you⁣ are stepping ​into a ⁤vital role within ⁢the medical community.Take the first step today, and embrace a‍ rewarding career in phlebotomy!

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[blamebrampton]

If you’re a USAmerican and any of your friends or family members are talking about voting for Trump for economic reasons, you need to be talking to them.

Trump’s ‘economic’ plans are wildly inflationary and will push up the deficit. You can see the modelling here from Penn Wharton: https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/trump-campaign-policy-proposals-2024. If your person says that is just modelling, Trump blew the budget at unprecedented levels BEFORE the pandemic in his first term (see https://www.propublica.org/article/national-debt-trump).

23 Nobel-winning economists have released a joint letter endorsing Harris and pointing out the economic inequality that will follow a second Trump presidency (https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/23-nobel-laureates-can-t-be-wrong-about-trump-20241101-p5kn5u) and how it will damage the American economy for generations to come. His tariffs will drive up prices (that, and reduce consumer choice, is what tariffs do), they will not restore American manufacturing. His presidency did NOT make any strides towards that (https://www.epi.org/publication/reshoring-manufacturing-jobs/), even before the pandemic he was a notable failure at one of his central policies. Biden-Harris policies, on the other hand have actually created manufacturing jobs and helped lift the economy.

Americans may not feel their lives are better off now, but you can thank Trump for that. His presidency was an unprecedented term of shifting wealth and power to billionaires and a huge component of recent inflation has been corporate profit taking by companies. (https://www.epi.org/blog/corporate-profits-have-contributed-disproportionately-to-inflation-how-should-policymakers-respond/ ) The policies outlined for his second term will only make this worse.

There are so many reasons not to vote for Trump: his policies kill women; after nine years of policing a health policy ‘in four weeks’, it’s still just ‘concepts of a plan’; he was a terrible president for immigration, not lowering figures (the sole drop during his term was when the pandemic broke out and people stopped moving) but torturing children; he failed on every significant issue that he campaigned on aside from making life better for billionaires and he failed to meet the central challenge of his presidency with anything approaching competence with Americans being 40% more likely to die of Covid than people in other wealthy nations thanks to his ineptitude (and graft: let us never forget the contracts that went to mates, many of which were left unfulfilled, while testing equipment went to his mate Putin.) AND HE INCITED A COUP AND TRIED TO KILL HIS VICE PRESIDENT which in any rational country would see him in jail.

But it’s just a fantasy to pretend he is good for the economy and people need to stop living in denial.