AHCA announces 3rd cohort of graduates in medication assistant training program

The Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) recently announced its third graduating class in its Medication Assistant–Certified (MA-C) training program. The program was designed to address a growing need for MA-Cs at skilled nursing facilities in Arkansas.

According to a news release, The MA-C program offers certified nursing assistants (CNAs) 102 hours of specialized training, clinically and in the classroom. The program also gives students intimate engagement opportunities with an instructor, better establishing graduates as workforce-ready MA-Cs, a valued role for families with members in long-term care and facilities looking for skilled nursing care.

Training is held in AHCA offices in Little Rock, Rogers, Fort Smith, Conway, Lonoke and Hot Springs.

Graduating students of the third cohort and their placements are:

• Teri Adair; Katherine’s Place at Wedington
• Christopher Deleon; Jamestown Nursing and Rehab
• Ethel Farrington; Katherine’s Place at Wedington
• Demitra Galvan; Highlands of Bella Vista Health and Rehab
• Diana Hernandez; Bradford House Nursing and Rehab
• Joseph Lashmett; North Hills Life Care and Rehab
• Wanda Lockett; Shiloh Nursing and Rehab
• Alicia Miranda Carpio; Jamestown Nursing and Rehab
• Jennifer Ofield; Innisfree Health and Rehab
• Kelsey Pierson; Innisfree Health and Rehab
• Daloris Stueart; North Hills Life Care and Rehab
• Christin Trobaugh; Apple Creek Health and Rehab

“The MA-C program isn’t just a great opportunity for students looking for hands-on experience in caretaking, it’s an investment in the quality of care at our long-term care facilities,” said Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association. “We’re proud of these MA-Cs and the steps they’re taking to offer life-changing care across the state.”

MA-C program admission requires participants to have held a CNA listing in the state’s certified nurse aide registry for a minimum of one year, have at least one year of full-time experience as a CNA in Arkansas and be currently employed at a designated partner facility. All participants must have received a high school diploma or equivalent education and have successfully completed a literacy and reading comprehension screening process.

Established in 1951, AHCA is the state’s largest organization of long-term care providers, representing more than 90 percent of the licensed long-term care facilities in Arkansas.