Griffin Health in Ansonia offers allied health career programs

ANSONIA - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers at 219 Division St. is accepting applications for upcoming semesters of its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomy, and Patient Care Technician (PCT) programs.

The PCT and Phlebotomy programs begin May 19. The CNA summer programs will begin June 9 and July 14.

The 15-week PCT program requires students to attend classes Monday through Thursday. The program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room and during the 80 hours of clinical experience. 

The course tuition includes textbook, liability insurance, CPR certification, clinical rotations and national certification exams.

The 13-week Phlebotomy program is Mondays and Wednesdays either during the day from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or during the evening from 5-9 p.m. The program offers an optional 32-40 hours of clinical experience. 

The course tuition includes lab coats, books, malpractice insurance, CPR certification and a national certification exam fee.

The six-week CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule with classes Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5 p.m.-9 p.m. CNA program content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. 

The program’s clinical experience will be at Griffin Hospital and a long-term stay facility, totaling 40 hours. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the certification exam for a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book and workbook CPR training, clinical rotation and liability insurance. 

The School of Allied Health Careers has partnered with TEAM, The Workplace, Inc. and many other grant options resulting in minimum out of pocket expenses.

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health accepts students 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED or any in-school youth (juniors and seniors) enrolled in high school. Students must be proficient in the English language to apply for admission. The COVID 19 vaccination series is required prior to enrollment.

Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited. 

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or 203-732-7578 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia Library to host 2 yoga sessions in May for preschoolers, caregivers

 

Griffin, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley to mark International Safe Kids Month

DERBY - In honor of International Safe Kids Month, Griffin Health and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley are partnering to provide tips, resources, and devices to help parents and caregivers keep their kids safe at a time when preventable injuries are on the rise.

There will be a free child safety education event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 22 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. offering information on proper car seat installations, including when a child can sit without a booster, water safety, and home safety, and prizes and giveaways. 

Summer often includes exciting outdoor activities, vacations, but it’s also a time known as “trauma season” among health professionals because unintentional injuries and deaths increase dramatically among children. 

According to Safe Kids, 42% of all deaths from unintentional injuries occur during the months of May through August.

“During this time when parents are focused on many priorities at once, Safe Kids Month is a national celebration dedicated to raising awareness about child injury prevention and inspiring parents to focus on proven and practical tips to keep their kids safe, no matter where they live,” said Cathi Kellett, Griffin Health Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department Special Programs supervisor and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition coordinator.

Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death of children in the U.S., and millions more are injured in ways that can affect them for a lifetime. Unintentional injuries among children ages 1-4 are 1.8 times higher during the summer months compared to the rest of the year. For children ages 5-9 and 10-14, unintentional injuries are 1.5 times higher during this time period.

“Do you have the right car seat for your child’s weight, height, and age? Do you have a fire escape plan and have you practiced it like kids do at school? Are your medicines out of reach? Usually, parents have these items on their “to-do” list, they just find it hard to make it a priority,” said Kellett. “Safe Kids Month is a perfect time to make it happen.”

This free program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its community through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing injuries, and in promoting overall wellness. 

Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: St. Mary's Church in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a postcard showing St. Mary's Church and its old school and convent. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Derby is the mother of Catholicism in the Valley. 

The church was erected in 1845 on a spacious lot donated by Anson Phelps for the Catholic people of Birmingham. It was enlarged several times and the cornerstone of the present church building was laid on June 25, 1882 by the late Bishop McMahon. 

The parish was originally composed of those from Derby, Ansonia, Huntington and Seymour. A parochial school was first established in the basement of the church in 1885. 

Under the pastorate of Rev. Charles McElroy, a school building was built in 1898 and a convent for the Sisters of Mercy was erected in 1904 next to the church on Elizabeth Street to the corner of Cottage Street. 

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Plunkett, appointed pastor of St. Mary’s in 1932, purchased the Fitch property on Seymour Avenue for future use. It is now home to St. Mary-St. Michael Elementary School, while the old school and convent were demolished in the early 1970s.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.