A group of employees of the Champlain Valley Senior Community were recently honored in an awards ceremony for achieving specific professional development goals and enhancing the care of its assisted living, enhanced assisted living, and memory care residents. Several resident care aides have recently earned specific health care certifications related to the community’s enhanced license. The enhanced license allows an assisted living facility to perform certain skilled nursing tasks to help residents with more complicated health needs receive skilled nursing services. In order to provide that assistance, some tasks require that staff have a Home Health Aid (HHA) certification. The following staff has recently earned their HHA Certification: Shari Welch, Kathryn Aubin, Pamela Spring, Kelly King, Penny Kennett, Stephanie Colby, Pam Drinkwine, Janel Daniels, and Brittany Nolan.

Additionally, for residents that need medication dispensed to them, specially trained staff is needed who have knowledge of medications and measuring proper dosages. These Medical Technicians, or Med Techs, are responsible for safely dispensing medications to residents and the appropriate handling of medications and the documentation required once medication is dispensed. The following staff recently became Med Techs: Bethany Martin, Pam Drinkwine, Tamayra Kennett, Kimberly Marble, Pam Spring, Heather Spear, Jamie Rolston, and Penny Kennett.

Ongoing trainings are required to ensure that staff keeps up to date on best practices health care. The following staff recently either renewed or acquired their First Aid Certification: Robyn Ashline, Kathryn Aubin, Ricky Calkins, Danielle Colozza, Jamie Dickerson, Shawnee Fenn, Robert Henrichs, Penny Kennett, Tamayra Kennett, Kimberly Marble, and Shari Welch.

Related articles

• Old Willsboro School Reopens as Senior Living Center Tomorrow (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Professional Development for Adirondack Students Is Success (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• The Champlain Valley Senior Community Receives An Historic Preservation Award (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)