Mill Pond appoints caregiver preceptors

GREENCASTLE -- Officials at Mill Pond Health Campus announced recently that Trista Dilley and Kayla Buchanan have been selected to serve as caregiver preceptors.

Caregiver preceptors were selected by the President and C.E.O. of Trilogy Health Services Randall Bufford based on letters of recommendation from a supervisor and co-worker. Criteria for selection included attendance, length of service and customer service skills exhibited on the job.

As part of their new preceptor role, Dilley and Buchanan recently attended an extensive two-day training program in Oxford, Ohio with other caregivers selected from Trilogy's 58 campuses. During the training program, the caregivers were taught leadership skills, team leading, understanding personality traits, managing conflict and customer service for employees.

The goal of the caregiver preceptor training Initiative is to reduce caregiver turnover, increase caregiver job satisfaction and improve delivery of services to the residents.

Dilley and her family live in Putnam County. She has been employed at Mill Pond for four years.

"I really enjoyed the preceptor training," Dilley said. "The skills I learned will allow me to train new staff members and be a leader with our existing caregivers.

"We had a great time in Oxford, even though the training was intense, and I know I will be a better caregiver," Buchanan said. "It's great to have an opportunity to advance my career in nursing."

Buchanan has worked in long-term care for two years. She and her family reside in Fillmore.

Dilley and Buchanan were awarded with caregiver preceptor certificates by Margie Polhamus, chief clinical officer. As preceptors, they will assist nursing management with all facets of operations including family tours, training of new employees and helping to acclimate new Caregiver's to their positions.

Mill Pond Health Campus, located at 1014 Mill Pond Lane, offers a full continuum of healthcare services to its patients and residents ranging from adult day care and assisted living to skilled nursing services. The health center provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, which includes physical, occupational and speech therapies, and related medical services.

In addition to traditional long-term care services, the center offers an elegant assisted living facility designed to provide assistance to those individuals who need help in their daily activities of living, but who do not require skilled nursing services.

For more information on the full array of healthcare services offered by Mill Pond Health Campus, contact Jennifer Ellis or Jessica Crafton 653-4397.