Common use of Continuing Education Programs Clause in Contracts

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) The program must be related to the employee's current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "paid expenses" can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) A. The program must be related to the employee's ’s current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's ’s current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Any disputes about said determination shall be resolved by consensus between Union and Management in partnership. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) B. The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) C. The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) D. The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) E. When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's ’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) F. Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "“paid expenses" ” can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) G. Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) X. An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years of Service Annual Maximum Paid Days Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40158.40 2 3 $497.20 3 5 $792.00 The above monies can be used for educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books, associations fees, certification and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. I. Annual paid days shall be accumulated on the basis of the employee’s assigned full-time equivalent (FTE) hours per workweek, not to exceed a 1.0

Continuing Education Programs. A regular A. Bargaining unit employees may request and be permitted, at the discretion of Nursing Management, to attend outside, short-term (maximum two [2] weeks) educational programs related to their professional nursing development on work time. Such requests will not be unreasonably denied and will be granted on an equitable basis. B. 0.5 - 1.0 FTE employees shall be eligible for two (2) days off without loss of pay each calendar year to attend continuing education conferences, seminars and/or professional development activities, with content directly related to professional nursing practice and which will benefit the employee with at least and/or the unit. Any R.N. who achieves pay class 23 through the Clinical Recognition Program will receive one (1) year additional conference day per year. Any R.N. who achieves pay class 26 through the Clinical Recognition Program will receive two (2) additional conference days per year. Nothing in this article shall prevent management from allocating additional conference days to an employee who requests, when it is agreed, that the content of service as a regular the conference will be of benefit to the employee and the unit. The employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours request (in accordance with the following: (aunit request guidelines) The program must be related conference days or portions of conference days in writing to the employee's current job classificationNurse Manager. The determination request will include the specific activity, learning objectives and, when appropriate, the length of whether a particular time expected to complete the activity and the timeframe for completion. The Nurse Manager will review the request and respond to the request in writing; such requests will not be unreasonably denied. Upon completion of the activity, the employee will submit copies or program documentation including any CEU’s to the Nurse Manager and the Nursing Education Department. C. Participation in continuing education program activities may be requested by the employee or required by management. If participation is related to an employee's current job classification shall required by management, the employee will be in pay status and appropriate expenses will be paid by management. Appropriate expenses will be agreed upon between management and employee in advance of registration. D. The allocation of budgeted funds for educational purposes will be made by the Employernursing administration. Further, if the Employer provides Each nursing unit will receive an internal continuing education program which is similar annual budget to the program requested be used by bargaining unit members as determined by the employeeeducational needs identified, he/she/they shall the availability of educational opportunities, the availability of funds, and the priorities set by each nursing group. Unit allocations will be required discussed at a staff meeting early each fiscal year. E. If the Hospital requests an employee to attend the internal an educational program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take will be considered on a regular work schedule, and expenses will be reimbursed according to the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) The employee must submit a written request agreement reached using the appropriate travel advance/travel expense form submitted prior to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance upon return from the institution in which the program was takenconference. (e) When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "paid expenses" can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) A. The program must be related to the employee's ’s current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's ’s current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Any disputes about said determination shall be resolved by consensus between Union and Management in partnership. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) B. The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) C. The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) D. The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, transcript or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) E. When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally educationally-related software, books and journals related to the employee's ’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs occur during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "“paid expenses" ” can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) A. The program must be related to the employee's ’s current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's ’s current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Any disputes about said determination shall be resolved by consensus between Union and Management in partnership. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) B. The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) C. The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) D. The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, transcript or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) E. When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally educationally-related software, books and journals related to the employee's ’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs occur during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) F. Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "“paid expenses" ” can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) G. Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) X. An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40158.40 2 3 $497.20 3 5 $792.00 The above monies can be used for educationally-related software, books and journals related to the employee’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books, associations fees, certification and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. I. Annual paid days shall be accumulated on the basis of the employee’s assigned full- time equivalent (FTE) hours per workweek, not to exceed a 1.0

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) The program must be related to the employee's current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "paid expenses" can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) A. The program must be related to the employee's ’s current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's ’s current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Any disputes about said determination shall be resolved by consensus between Union and Management in partnership. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) B. The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) C. The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) D. The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, transcript or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) E. When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally educationally-related software, books and journals related to the employee's ’s job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs occur during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) F. Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "“paid expenses" ” can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) G. Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) H. An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40:

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) The program must be related to the employee's current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may shall not carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "“paid expenses" ” can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years of Service Annual Maximum Paid Days Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40158.40 2 3 $497.20 3 5 $792.00 The above monies can be used for educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books, associations fees, certification and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. (i) All eligible regular Pharmacists shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years of Service Annual Maximum Paid Days Annual Maximum Paid Expenses 1 Year 2 days $198.00 2 Years 3 days $594.00 3 Years 5 days $990.00 (j) Annual paid days shall be accumulated on the basis of the employee's assigned full-time equivalent (FTE) hours per workweek, not to exceed a 1.0 FTE rate of accumulation. (k) An eligible employee regularly assigned to an evening or night shift may use his/her paid continuing education days to attend continuing education programs offered during the day. The parties intend that this provision apply only in instances where the continuing education program requested is not offered on the employee's scheduled day off. An evening shift employee shall not be required to work his/her scheduled shift immediately following a full-day educational leave program. A night shift employee shall not be required to work his/her scheduled shift immediately prior to a full-day educational program. Pay for the continuing education day shall be as described in Paragraph (k) of this Section. (l) Pay for time spent in continuing education programs held during working hours shall be at the employee's regular straight-time rate of pay, including applicable shift premium, for the number of hours the employee would have worked had he/she worked his/her normal shift up to a maximum of ten (10) hours. In the event the employee's normal shift fluctuates between payroll periods, pay shall be for the employee's assigned full-time equivalent hours. (m) In the event a part time employee uses all the allowed Continuing Education dollars and days for an anniversary year, and in the event the part time employee has consistently worked over their FTE, he/she may submit a request to Human Resources for an adjustment. If the review determines that the actual hours worked are equivalent to a greater FTE status, additional CEU dollars and days will be added to the account accordingly. (n) If an employee uses education time in excess of the accrued allotment of time, the difference will be deducted from the employee's vacation account. If the employee has not accumulated vacation, the difference will be deducted from the next paycheck. (o) Opticians may use one (1) of their annual paid days to prepare for or to take certification exams. In addition, Certified Opticians will be reimbursed for the annual association fees associated with joining an Optician Agreement. (p) All eligible regular Audiologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Optometrists, Genetic Counselors, and Occupational Therapists shall be eligible for five (5) annual paid continuing education days, upon hire and for each anniversary year thereafter. When the conditions are met as outlined in the provision of Article 15, Section 2 of the collective bargaining agreement, the employee shall be reimbursed for any tuition, fees, educationally-related software, certification, association fees, DEA fees, journals, and books related to the employee’s job up to $1,650. In entering into this Agreement, the parties expressly agree that this agreement only affects Audiologists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Optometrists, Genetic Counselors, and Occupational Therapists. All other eligible regular employees are subject to the terms and conditions of Article 15, Section 2 of the collective bargaining agreement.

Continuing Education Programs. A regular employee with at least one (1) year of service as a regular employee shall be eligible to attend continuing education programs during working hours in accordance with the following: (a) The program must be related to the employee's current job classification. The determination of whether a particular continuing education program is related to an employee's current job classification shall be made by the Employer. Further, if the Employer provides an internal continuing education program which is similar to the program requested by the employee, he/she/they she shall be required to attend the internal program. If the program is taken virtually, the employee need not take the course in a Kaiser facility. (b) The employee must submit a written request to attend the continuing education program at least eight (8) weeks in advance for employees scheduled to see patients and at least four (4) weeks in advance for all other employees, and/or through the processes identified in Article 13 Section 3 during the annual VPTO scheduling period. Consideration for approval shall be given when courses are offered with shorter notice, provided staffing needs are met. (c) The program must be offered by an accredited educational institution or professional organization which is recognized by the Employer. Some of the CEU benefit may, with consultation of the employee, be suggested by the supervisor for a class that management deems appropriate for the individual to attend. (d) The employee must successfully complete the program as certified by an official report, transcript, or other proof of attendance from the institution in which the program was taken. (e) When the above conditions are met, the employee shall be reimbursed for any educationally related software, books and journals related to the employee's job and/or be reimbursed for any tuition fees, books and travel expenses directly associated with the continuing education program, up to the expense limits identified in this Section, and subject to verification of expenses. It is expressly understood and agreed annual paid days can be used for travel time as well as for class attendance if either occurs during normal working hours, even if on a non- working day. (f) Annual paid days and expense allowance shall be credited to the employee on his/her/their her anniversary date as a regular employee. Annual paid days and expense allowance for continuing education which is not used in the anniversary year earned may shall not carry over to the next year. In no event may an employee accumulate more than twice his or her annual paid days. It is expressly understood that "paid expenses" can be used for all travel expenses to include overnight accommodations and transportation. (g) Employees may use the continuing education expense allowance for programs taken during either working or non-working hours. In no event shall more than one educational benefit apply toward the same program. For example, an employee may not use continuing education expense allowance and tuition reimbursement for the same program. (h) An eligible regular employee shall be granted continuing education allowance based upon his/her/their her length of service as set forth below: Completed Years Annual Maximum Annual Maximum of Service Paid Days Paid Expenses 1 1 $158.40