Instructors for the health occupation course at Tarkio Tech will be Bing Boettner, R.N., left, Shelbie Graham, R.N., middle, and Laura Bjorklund, R.N., right.
Tarkio Tech recently received approval as a Certified Nurse Assistant (C.N.A.) program training site by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). This training program for the entire spring semester is geared towards high school and adult students interested in healthcare related careers. In conjunction with the previous fall classes of Basic Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Personal Communications and Health Careers, a student receives a health occupation certificate from Tarkio Tech after the spring training program is completed. Instructors for the health occupation course include Bing Boettner, R.N., Shelbie Graham, R.N., and Laura Bjorklund, R.N.
After completion of the requirements for the C.N.A. program, the student qualifies to take the Missouri State certifying examination. Upon passing, the student will receive Missouri certification. This state certification is transferable to multiple states via reciprocity.
On-the-job training by certified clinical supervisors is conducted at either of the two Atchison County nursing homes and/or Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax. Tarkio Tech has cooperative agreements for this training with Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care, c/o Afton Hannah, Administrator; Pleasant View Nursing Home, c/o Megan Twyman, Administrator; and Community Hospital-Fairfax, c/o Ashlee Driskell, R.N. or Amy Alexander, R.N.
“Receiving Missouri DHSS approval for our C.N.A. program is just one more feather in our cap showing that Tarkio Tech is ready and prepared to take on more students for a first-rate education,” said Mark Staten, Admissions Coordinator.
According to Tarkio Tech President John Davis, “Certified Nurse Assistants are the caregivers in healthcare and are essential to quality hospital or long-term care. We believe that our team of instructors at Tarkio Tech has a wealth of experience in the field and prepares our students for the highest quality of patient care.”
“We have more trouble having to turn patients away from our local nursing homes because there’s not enough help, not because there’s not enough beds. A C.N.A. program in Northwest Missouri would be a great way to help get more patient care in the nursing homes and at our hospital. It’s also a great starting point for someone who wants to have a career in nursing and gets their hands wet and gets them ready to launch that career,” said Dr. Aron Burke, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Community Hospital-Fairfax.
Registration for the 2024 spring semester is open until January 2, 2024. For more information, email info@tarkiotech.com or 1health1@tarkiotech.com. You may also call the office at 660-623-9071 and ask for Bing Boettner, Health Occupations, Adjunct Instructor.
