Education partnerships important to rural nursing home
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Almonte Country Haven’s ties with its local education sector has exposed young people to long-term care and helped groom future generations of staff at the rural nursing home.

“We have a great relationship with the high school,” says administrator Rick Gourlie about the long-term care home’s connection with Almonte District High School.

“We do bring in co-op students.” In the past, students have gained work experience in departments including nursing, life enrichment and maintenance. Two students this year will work alongside personal support workers and activation staff.

Gourlie says getting exposing young people to the long-term care sector has had payoffs for the home as well. “In our past in Almonte, many of the people who have come into the care home as students have gone on to get care certificates…and become part of our staff complement. We’re thankful for that.”

Almonte also has connections at the post-secondary level. “We have a partnership with Algonquin College’s nursing program and personal support worker program.” He adds the long-term care home also takes part in the college’s job fairs.

Almonte recently served as a training ground for four personal support worker (PSW) students. The pupils from Algonquin College’s Perth campus gained on-site experience at the long-term care home. They were accompanied by a clinical instructor who worked alongside them and also in conjunction with staff at The Haven, through a series of two-week placements.

“It’s great for the students to be in this environment,” director of care Sue Burnell-Jones told the OMNIway in December.

Diane Echlin, the clinical instructor from Algonquin College, reported she appreciated the opportunity Almonte provided and staff time that gave the students the chance to experience the PSW job role.

Almonte’s environmental services manager, Angie Acheson, became connected to the nursing home at a young age. Both of her grandparents were residents and she began working as a nurse’s aide at the home while attending college.

“I’ve been attached to (the nursing home) for a long time. Born and raised in Almonte, “I wanted to be a part of their long-term care home,” she said earlier.