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CCBDD opens medical skill center for certifications

Melissa Andric, RN, BSN (right), Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) nurse manager and head of its new training center, shows the functions of an infant medical training mannequin to Kari Beil, CCBDD intake manager. (Submitted photo)

LISBON–Employees of schools, workshops and residential facilities who provide healthcare to individuals with disabilities must maintain certifications in medical skills such as first aid, CPR and dispensing medications. Many also are required to complete classes on medical skills such as dealing with blood-borne pathogens and medical-legal issues including client rights.

A new training center at the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) will make it more convenient for service provider employees to attend classes and earn certifications.

“There is a shortage of people to do the front-line work,” said Josh Martin, CCBDD assistant superintendent. “We have 800 clients with developmental disabilities in Columbiana County, 12 workshops, and many residential facilities and schools. Taking the burden off them for training will help them to hire and retain more good employees.”

Melissa Andric RN BSN, CCBDD nurse manager, and Ashley Vasiliades RN, CCBDD school nurse manager, are responsible for the new facility and the classes and certifications offered.

“We’ve been doing training for a couple of years, but we just opened the center,” said Andric.

The center is newly equipped with classroom seating for 40, an audio-visual system, printed study materials, and medical training equipment for adult and infant subjects. The training center is located in the former adult senior center room in the CCBDD administrative building at 7675 state Route 45. For information and class schedules, people may visit ccbdd.net, call 330-424-7788 or email ccbddrn@gmail.com.

Thirteen employees from the Columbiana County Educational Service Center and six from Lisbon School District were the first to use the new training center on Aug.16, obtaining certifications in CPR-AED and first aid.

Andric said service providers often scramble to provide training for new employees on topics like medication certification, and their workers have had to travel out of county for certifications and re-certifications.

“Once you have medical certification you have to get re-certified every year,” she said.

When classes are distant, that adds up to travel expense and time off the job, with fellow employees working overtime and covering shifts. Participation in most classes is not restricted to disabilities service providers. Other employers and the public may enroll in classes.

Upcoming certification classes include: Medication 1 (three days, Sept. 18, 19, 20 and Nov. 6, 7, 8); Medication 2 (Sept. 25 and Nov. 13); Medication Re-Certification (Sept. 11, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, and Dec. 5); CPR-AED and Basic First Aid (first Thursday of the month). Classes available are Blood-borne Pathogens Training, Communicable Disease Training (three-hour/ six-hour), Epipen, Person Center Planning, HIPAA Compliance, Client Rights, Behavior Intervention and MUI (Major Unusual Incidents) Training.

Melissa Andric RN holds a bachelor of nursing and numerous certifications: Train the Trainer DODD, Quality Assurance Nurse State of Ohio, Certified Instructor American Red Cross, Certified Instructor for the American Health And Safety Institute, Communicable Disease Trainer for Child Care Centers and Type A Homes with ODJFS, and Prevent Blindness America Certification.

Ashley Vasiliades RN holds an associate degree in nursing from the University of Akron and a bachelor’s in information systems from Walsh University. She is a Quality Assurance Nurse for the State of Ohio, holds Train the Trainer Certification from DODD, and is a Certified Instructor for the American Heart Association.

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