What is Allied Health?  What does the program do?  We offer classes approved by the  (KDHE) Kansas Department of Health and Environment to certify or license individuals to work in nursing homes, hospitals, medical facilities, assisted living facilities, etc.  We also offer classes approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing for continuing education for RN’s, LPN’s Nursing Home Administrators, and Dieticians to renew their licenses.

Students taking courses in the Allied Health Program usually take from one to four courses (Geriatric Aide, Medication Aide, Home Health Aide and SSD/AD.  The Geriatric Aide course is a pre-requisite for the program.  After completion of the course, students will take a state test to become a certified (Certified Nurse Aide).  After completion of becoming a CNA, the sequence following is Medication Aide, Home Health Aide and Social Services Designee and Activity Director.

Working in a long- term care facility is hard work.  It is a low paying entry- level job and the facilities have a high rate of turn-over.  The facilities do not like to hire employees who are not Certified Nurse Aides.  If they do hire an employee without the CNA training, they are usually requested to complete a CNA class within 6 months.

Most students who enroll in the program are more mature adults that have not worked in the past or who are single parents needing a job right away.  The students can get training in five weeks, take the state test to become a Certified Nurse Aide and begin employment immediately. Current CNA employees of nursing facilities may come back to get certified for Medication Aide, Home Health Aide and or Social Service Designee/Activity Director.  Some students may continue their training and go on to nursing school.  Every student must complete a CNA training course before they can enter nursing school.

GERIATRIC AIDE (Certified Nurse Aide) (CNA) – (Offered for 5 credit hours) This course includes classroom and clinical instruction on basic patient care.  Skills learned are daily hygiene, bed baths, taking vital signs, positioning, and transfer of patients and others.  Patient care will be conducted in a nursing home setting.  Prepares the student for the state licensing examination.