Health Center Hires Five

by Jonathan Weaver

Residents and families at the Armstrong County Health Center may have seen some new faces already this year within the hallways.

In December, the Health Center hired five new part-time Certified Nurses Aides (CNAs) and a full-time Social Services Coordinator. All have ties to Armstrong County.

Those hired include: CNAs Samantha Pyle, Shana Soloski, Brianna Conklin and Brittany Bump, and Social Services Coordinator Ashleah Firment.

Pyle and Soloski have worked at the Armstrong County Health Center before, but had to undergo new hiring procedures just like everyone else.

“It’s a new policy – (the new hires) are kind of the test dummies for it. We have a stricter probation – they’re watching us closer – but it’s working out nicely,” Pyle said.

Pyle, who lives in downtown Kittanning, worked at the Health Center three years ago before working a few months at Fair Winds Manor in Apollo.

She explained why she wanted to return.

“I know the people, my mom (Staffing Coordinator Amy Merryman) works here, I have a lot of friends here….it’s just a nice place to work,” Pyle said. “I just like to help people, and nursing is something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Her career was put on-hold to raise baby Carter, who will turn two years old in March. Pyle said he is a familiar face around Health Center residents, which includes family members.

“Oh ya – they love him here,” Pyle said. “He gets lots of attention. My grandmother’s (Betty Merriman) actually on the third floor and then my grandfather’s (Lester Erb) on the second floor, so he’s here a lot.”

Pyle added her family is more comfortable with her working close by.

“I think they’re definitely more comfortable. Sometimes, my pap won’t take his pills for (other CNA’s) because he doesn’t know them, but when I come down, he takes them right away,” Pyle said. “It’s nice to have your family close.”

Merryman (who works daylight) watches Carter while Pyle is at work (usually from 3-11PM).

Pyle hopes to go back to school in the next three years – possibly at Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Northpointe - to further her medical career.

Besides working at the Health Center two years ago Soloski of Kittanning volunteered at the Health Center for two months before rejoining the staff.

“I wanted to get a job and give (health center staff) a first impression before they hired me,” Soloski said.

That dedication has also led her to working for fellow staff that calls off, especially during the winter. Soloski lives close enough that she walks to work.

“If you like the job, it’s a good place to work – it really is,” Soloski added. “You have to have the patience for it – and I do – so it just kind-of works out. (But) there’s never a shortage in this type of work –somebody always needs you there.”

Conklin started her career at Kittanning Care Center, West Haven Manor in Apollo and the VNA in three locations across the area.

The stress of the job led her to taking some time off before deciding to return.

“At the time, I was working at Trader Horn and it just wasn’t me. I took some time off from the CNA work, and by the time I got back into it, I thought ‘It will not only pay the bills but I miss being with the people and my residents,’ Conklin said.

“I think my sense of humor and personality kind of brings joy to the residents. I love coming to work and seeing my residents,” Conklin added. “It’s like a home-away-from home, I guess.”

Plus, the money will help while Conklin and fiancé Chris Huth – who is a Licensed Practical Nurse at Butler FastER in Saxonburg – plan their September wedding, which is to be held at the Manorville Methodist Church.

Conklin said her and Huth enjoy talking ‘in the same language’ about their work day.

“We’re always talking about work -that’s our lives, nursing, Conklin said.”

Conklin is furthering her education by attending the Career Training Academy in New Kensington for medical assisting. She will graduate in July.

Three of the four CNAs – Pyle, Soloski and Conklin – graduated from Lenape Technical School in Allied Health/Sports Medicine before (Pyle and Conklin in 2008, and Soloski in 2005). Bump was not available for comment.

Merryman is excited about the four hires, which brings the total of part-time CNAs to 16.

“I think they’re awesome,” Merryman said. “They’re doing a great job. The nurses always comment how good they are.”

“I don’t always get a group this good,” she added.

Social Service Coordinator Ashleah Firment was formerly a Case Manager at Family Counseling Center in Kittanning before her new venture.

She enjoys the new job, especially since it allows her to spend more time with her family: daughters, Bella (4) and Lyla (1) and husband, Victor.

Firment was also excited that she is printed on her first business card and offers it to all residents and family members to be able to listen to their stories or concerns.

“I think it’s important to take the time to hear the whole story – whatever your question, concern (or) issue is, I’m gonna listen if it takes me 10 minutes or half-an-hour: that’s my job,” Firment said. “Paperwork can be done later and will always be there.”

And the ‘Resident Problem Solver’ hopes to be at the Health Center ‘until they want to get rid of me.’

While those five were hired, full-time maintenance employee Michael Titus formally retired effective January 6 after 10 ½ years of service.

2 Comments

• 

  By Snarf, January 21, 2013 @ 12:09 PM

  Good for them, but of course they are part time. God forbid that an employer offer benefits.
• By camcentire, January 22, 2013 @ 1:39 PM

  Actually, the part-time CNAs at the Health Center do earn paid sick and vacation time, receive a yearly uniform allowance, are paid time and a half for working holidays, as well as, participate in the County’s pension plan. All full-time positions are posted (and filled) internally.

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