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ELKINS – Davis Medical Center officials are pleased to announce the graduates of their first-ever Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program.
The three graduates of the program – Faith Chewning, 19, of Elkins; Samantha Judy, 32, of Elkins; and Kori Kane, 22, of Clarksburg – were honored at a graduation and pinning ceremony earlier this year on the campus of DMC. Kane, who was unable to attend the graduation was surprised at her workplace the night of the graduation ceremony.
The eight-week program consists of clinical curriculum which meets the standards of the State of West Virginia’s Nursing Aide Training and Competency Program.
The training is free of cost and provides a “traditional classroom setting that allows the students to learn and provide hands-on patient centered care in our realistic patient care rooms with life-like patient mannequins,” according to Dulane Casto, BSN, RN, DMC nursing assistant program coordinator/instructor.
The students finish their training by participating in clinical rotation at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center, one of the long-term healthcare facilities in the area, which DMC partners with, to provide clinical care to patients in local communities.
The next class is slated to begin with an orientation on June 6. The program will run through July 29. Classes are held between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week, and clinical rotations will be offered at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center, in Elkins, or Mansfield Place on the campus of Broaddus Hospital in Philippi.
Interested candidates can contact Casto by phone at (304) 637-3523 or by visiting www.educateatdhs.com. The program is always accepting applications for their upcoming program availabilities.
“When you are planning for the future, challenge yourself to think about becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant at Davis Medical Center. Students have the ability to grow personally and professionally within one of the region’s top-rated community hospitals,” Casto said. “Upon completion of our C.N.A. program students can apply for exciting job opportunities on our Medical-Surgical Unit, Family Birthing Unit, Intensive Care Unit, and on our Geriatric Psych Unit. Competitive pay wage and benefit packets are available.”
“After acceptance and completion of our nursing assistant training program students have access to Workforce Development Partnerships. DMC’s partnerships with local and state colleges and universities provide the C.N.A. the opportunity to plan and discuss options for continued healthcare careers,” she continued.
Casto urged individuals to research the variety of programs offered at DMC – including the CNA Training Program – and cited how rewarding of an experience they can be.
“As a Nursing Educator, I chose Davis Medical Center as my employer and healthcare provider, because of their long dedication to education and training. The Nursing Assistant program is offered to current employees or the community and is just one option here,” she said. “Visit the website, not just for career opportunities but to see the ongoing community outreach programs that promote a healthy lifestyle for all ages.”
