(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - When you look at lists like “Ten Best Jobs for the Future” or “Fastest Growing Careers” you’ll find healthcare occupations often dominate the list. That’s because a career in healthcare is one of opportunity and job satisfaction.

Now, through an agreement with the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan (UAS), Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, and Ketchikan Medical Center (KMC), students will have an amazing opportunity to become Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) while still in high school.

On Wednesday, June 27, Ed Freysinger, KMC Chief Administrative Officer, presented a $15,000 check to UAS Ketchikan Campus Director Priscilla Schulte. The grant will support high school enrollment in the UAS Ketchikan CNA class taught at Ketchikan High School this coming academic year.

“This was the brain child of Beth Lougee,” said Matt Eisenhower, Director of Community Health Development at PeaceHealth. “Many students interested in this training simply could not afford the tuition, so Beth found a creative solution to partner with interested community organizations to make this work.” Beth is the Director of Curriculum and Professional Development for the School District.

Freysinger was an enthusiastic supporter of the plan, “this is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore healthcare careers and can provide them with an immediate employment opportunity. CNAs are essential caregivers and their interaction with patients provides service and comfort for those in our care.

“Some Nurse Aides become Registered Nurses or choose other healthcare careers. Being a CNA provides an overview of what it means to be in healthcare and the many possibilities for exciting occupations.”

“UAS Ketchikan faculty and staff work hard to develop new models of course delivery that benefit students throughout our community,” Campus Director Priscilla Schulte noted. The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan course is a State of Alaska Board of Nursing-approved course that includes classroom instruction, clinical skills training and practice and clinical application of knowledge and skills at both Ketchikan Medical Center and the Ketchikan Pioneer Home. Students will earn nine college credits and will qualify to sit for the Alaska State Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants upon successful completion of the course.

A CNA assists nurses in a variety of healthcare settings and is a valued healthcare team member. CNAs at KMC work primarily in Long Term Care and on the Medical/Surgical floor. They are also respected professionals at the Ketchikan Pioneer Home, in other medical facilities, and in private homes.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, is also a Level IV Trauma Center for an area roughly twice the size of Massachusetts. Key services include general and orthopedic surgery, and primary, women’s health, pediatric, and behavioral health clinics. The Medical Center also has a 29-bed Transitional Care Unit.

Source of News:

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

 

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