FHCA Pulse

FHCA Pulse

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Health Care Jobs Offer Opportunity for Advancement

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If you want to start a career in the health care field, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in a long-term care facility is an opportunity for tremendous personal and professional growth. I started my career as a CNA and the important foundational skills and experiences I learned while thriving in this role prepared me to take on even more. I later became an HR director and business office manager at the North Rehabilitation Center in St. Pete. Employers have rewarded my hard work and my career has flourished.

CNAs represent an essential part of a patient’s or resident’s care team. Being in this important role accelerates your skill set and can prepare an individual to take the next step in the health care field. Becoming a CNA in long term care presents tremendous opportunities for those who wish to pursue more education, learn new skills, and further a career in the field. I’m proof of that.

As Florida is facing a critical need for CNAs who make a vital impact on quality care for seniors, I am writing to advocate for this incredibly important position. A CNA is more than a certification, it’s care, compassion, and empathy to those in this world who need it most.

Learn more about the pathways to becoming a CNA in long term care facilities, or find job openings near you, by visiting the CaregiversFL Career Program at florida.carefortheaging.org/job-seekers. Facilities are hiring now.

 

Plantation Admissions Assistant Earns Scholarship from Florida Health Care Association to Further Career

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Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently granted Tracye Miller (left center), an Admissions Assistant at Plantation Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the Bruce Taylor Scholarship Award.

This award was recently awarded to six front-line caregivers to help them achieve their goal of becoming nurses, with a total of $3,750 in scholarships. Miller received $500 to pursue a Registered Nurse degree.

Each scholarship recipient is currently enrolled in a program to advance their clinical studies, has demonstrated a commitment to the residents entrusted to their care, shown leadership potential among their peers, and shared their personal story on why they want to continue their education.

In her application for the scholarship, Miller shared that she “loves helping people and wants to work in a profession that is challenging, interesting, and makes an impact on people’s daily lives” – which she said is why she decided to become a nurse.

“Florida has a demand for nurses, and FHCA is proud to contribute to the clinical study advancements of these health care professionals,” said Emmett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Florida Health Care Association. “Tracye Miller has shown dedication to her career and the patients she works with, and FHCA praises her drive to expand her career and contribute to Florida’s increasing demand.”

Other recipients of FHCA Bruce Taylor Scholarship Awards for the fall cycle are:

  • Sylvia Ware, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Bardmoor Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center in Largo, receiving $750 to pursue a Registered Nurse (RN) degree;
  • Barbara Hosler, an LPN at Menorah Life in St. Petersburg, received $500 toward a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to RN bridge program;
  • Cobenis Diaz, an LPN at Palm Garden of Clearwater, received $750 toward the LPN to Assistant Director of Nursing bridge program;
  • Kelly Kelson, a Home Health Aide at Village on the Green in Longwood, received $500 to pursue an LPN degree; and
  • Leocadia Vargas, Housekeeping Laundry Director at Jackson Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center in Miami, received $750 to pursue an RN degree.

The Bruce Taylor Scholarship was established to provide resources for FHCA member nursing center and assisted living facility staff to further their education and pursue their career goals in nursing.. Scholarships are awarded twice a year and funded through the Florida Health Care Education & Development Foundation, the Association’s charitable foundation. For more information, visit the FHCA website at www.fhca.org.

John Simmons, FHCA Past President, Honored with Lifetime Membership

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FHCA Past President, John Simmons of Jacksonville, was presented this week with an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Florida Health Care Association. Surrounded by family, friends and long term care colleagues at PruittHealth-Fleming Island, John was presented the certificate by FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed and members of the FHCA Executive Committee – Kathy Gallin, Senior Vice President, and Josh Wagoner, Secretary. The event was organized by PruittHealth-Fleming Island administrator Eric Weisz,  a former FHCA District President who previously served with John in various volunteer leadership capacities.

John’s dedication included serving as President of the association from 2016-2018. Prior to that, he served in a number of Board positions, including Region Vice President, District President and as Chair of several member committees. John also served as a Nursing Home Preceptor in which he mentored Administrators in Training and helped young professionals grow in their long term care career. He was also known for his tremendous advocacy, regularly visiting with lawmakers, hosting facility tours and traveling to Tallahassee during the legislative session to educate policymakers about the issues impacting long term care providers in Florida.

“We’re pleased to honor John as a lifetime member on behalf of the more than 650 care centers and thousands of caregivers and residents we represent. He has left a lasting impression on the association and the long term care profession, and we are extremely grateful for the contributions he has made over the years,” said Anita Faulmann, FHCA President.

CEO Emmett Reed also recalled John’s role in helping to establish the association’s Education & Training Center, a 6,000 square foot indoor/outdoor meeting space that FHCA uses for various internal and community events. “John played a significant role in getting this project off the ground,” said Reed. “Today the training center is used by members, local associations, nonprofit groups, legislators and others and is a well-recognized space in Tallahassee’s downtown community.”

Honorary Lifetime Membership in FHCA is a distinctive honor reserved for those individuals who have a long-standing history of outstanding service to the association. FHCA’s Board of Directors vote to award individuals with this distinction in recognition of their many years of leadership, service and support.

To view photos from the event, click here.

 

Senior Clinician Earns FHC PAC Star Award for Outstanding Advocacy

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Kim Biegasiewicz of Avante Group, Inc., was recognized during Annual Conference as the 2021 FHC PAC Star. The award is presented annually to an individual with outstanding leadership in long term care advocacy, political action and grassroots initiatives. Members of the Florida Health Care Political Action Committee (FHC PAC) Board annually select the award recipient.

Kim is actively involved in FHCA’s legislative initiatives, coming to Tallahassee often to testify before the Legislature, participating in facility tours and engaging in important meetings to give lawmakers a better understanding of the profession, its challenges and the quality care that residents receive.

Nurse Honored for Exceptional Commitment to Nursing Home Veterans

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Barbara Klein, Senior LPN and Restorative Department Head at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home, is Florida Health Care Association’s (FHCA) 2019 Long Term Care Rising Star in Nursing Award recipient. Klein was recognized during FHCA’s 2019 Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing Awards presentation held in St. Pete Beach.

For 7 years, Klein has been serving in numerous capacities at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home, located in Port Charlotte. In recent years, she championed the integration of the home’s electronic medication and administration record and scheduling (EMARS). Klein spent countless hours training the nursing staff on all shifts to use the program, which has resulted in improved fiscal accountability and enhanced resident care. Her tireless work at the home has led to deficiency free surveys for the last two years. Klein has also helped with improving outcomes within the therapy department, with residents seeing their mobility increasing thanks to her advocacy for additional equipment that would enhance their activities of daily living.

“Barbara is a model employee whose meticulous work ethic, positive outlook and demeanor make her an inspiration to work with,” said Kelly Cline who works alongside Barbara at Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Nursing Home, “She is a true team player with only one goal, superior services for our veterans. She has an unsurpassed passion for our residents; her efforts help maintain our residents’ dignity and respect.”

Emmett Reed, executive director of FHCA said, “Florida Health Care Association is honored to recognize Ms. Klein for the dedication and passion she has for the residents under her care. She is a true role model for other long term care nursing professionals.”

FHCA’s Long Term Care Rising Star in Nursing Award recognizes nurses who have worked at an FHCA member center or the corporate level for five-to-ten years. Award recipients are chosen for demonstrating a positive impact in clinical practice and a commitment to person-centered care. The award is one of several of FHCA’s Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing Awards given annually at the association’s Nurse Leadership Program.  Honorees reflect the dedication, professionalism, and expanded skill sets of the long term care nursing profession. The annual FHCA awards recognize individuals for their important roles in helping centers achieve continuous quality improvement by improving their national Quality Measures and demonstrating a person-centered care approach to residents and patients.