Even as a
Junior Volunteer, Daryan Case loved babies and babysitting. She participated in the Campbell
County Health Junior Volunteer program beginning in seventh grade, going
to the Campbell County Memorial Hospital
Maternal Child Unit whenever she could. Up to 40 Junior Volunteers spend each summer working
in many different areas of the organization, essentially ‘trying
on’ what it’s like to work in healthcare, just like Daryan did.
While still in high school, Daryan trained and was certified as a
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and after graduation, she worked for several years at a local home
care agency and at the
Campbell County Senior Center. Her duties at the time included working with mostly geriatric patients,
helping with bathing, and cleaning for people who were still able to live at home.
Fast forward to 2019. Daryan had the opportunity to work in the Maternal
Child Unit at CCMH as a CNA, and started work in February. She describes
herself as upbeat and likes to have fun on the job.
Josie LeMaster, Director of Maternal Child Services, agrees. According
to Josie, a CNA on her unit has three different roles: clerical duties,
clinical duties like taking vital signs and helping patients get in and
out of bed, helping with infant care and stocking patient supplies. Daryan
also helps with setting up the equipment and supplies needed for deliveries
and circumcisions.
“Daryan is professional and positive,” said Josie. “I
remember a pretty difficult patient situation that Daryan handled very
well. She actually teared up because we complimented her on her performance
while under pretty significant stress. I wish I could clone her.”
Daryan and her husband, Ty, just bought a fixer upper, and spend their
free time on DIY projects. She hopes to someday attend nursing school
and continue her healthcare career path.
One of CCH’s
strategic goals for the next few years is to develop a future workforce: getting more
young people interested in healthcare careers and making sure current
employees get the training they need to advance. This might include introducing
healthcare to even younger kids in the future through learning fairs at
their schools, and expanding local training programs for careers in the
Laboratory,
Emergency Medical Services and CNA departments.
“It’s pretty well known that there is already a shortage of
qualified healthcare workers that is only going to get worse in the future,” said
Noamie Niemitalo, Vice President of
Human Resources. “Healthcare careers are great careers with good wages. People can
find a healthcare job wherever they want to work. Besides that, healthcare
is an extremely fulfilling profession. Healthcare workers can literally
change lives.”
Growing your healthcare career
Campbell County Health has many opportunities to begin a healthcare career.
Check the website for current job openings at
www.cchwyo.org/careers.