New medical training programs are now being offered in Hot Springs.
Gateway Allied Health LLC, licensed and regulated by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and accredited through American Allied Health, started classes on Monday.
The school offers five programs: certified nursing assistant, certified phlebotomy technician, certified pharmacy technician, certified medical assistant and certified electrocardiogram technician. The total program cost ranges from $650 for the CNA program to $2,982 for the certified medical assistant program.
Enrollment is still open, even though classes have started. Since most of the classes are hybrid, or a mix of online and in-person, an individual could finish the program as slowly or as quickly as they want.
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"All the midterms, all the unit tests and, of course, the final exams are face to face," Program Coordinator Mellonie Conrad said. "You know we want to make sure that they know the material and that they're ready to go to clinicals."
The CNA program, however, is only offered in person. The next cycle of CNA classes starts on March 7 through April 5. CNA students take classes for about four weeks and then two days of clinicals.
Gateway Allied Health, located at 174 Cornerstone Court, Suite C, is partnering with CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. All clinical externships have to be held at one of their facilities in Arkansas since the Education Affiliation Agreement between Gateway Allied Health and CHI St. Vincent covers the whole state, according to the school's website.
Since Petra Allied Health Inc. no longer has a location in Hot Springs, there was a period of time before Gateway Allied Health started that Hot Springs didn't have such training programs.
With over 25 years of professional experience in health care, Conrad said since Hot Springs has a large senior population, it's important to have plenty of health care workers in the area. That's part of the reason she decided to open Gateway Allied Health.
"I realize that there is a huge need in this community," she said. "I'm not 25 anymore. I can't run those floors like I used to, but I can educate and train others."
CNA Instructor Whitney McFarland said several students reached out to her asking if there was a local training program. McFarland and Conrad used to teach at Petra Allied Health together.
"So we knew that there was a need and that there was going to be quite a few people interested if we were to open an Allied Health school," McFarland said.
Conrad said she met with the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services about a month ago. Gateway Allied Health should be able to accept grants from students who can't afford higher education soon. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services also offers an extension of services including help with child care or rent and utilities.
Before they are cleared to work in health care, the students must pass a certification exam. The exams are different depending on the program. In order to pass, they must score at least 75%. The exam follows the completion of the program.
McFarland said she has had students who completed a program just to continue going to school to be a physician assistant or get their registered nursing license.
"It's nice to watch people grow and it's nice to be a part of that process," she said.
Conrad and McFarland both agreed they teach because it's rewarding.
"I chose the name Gateway because I think you've first got to walk through the door and you've got to make up your mind, you know 'I can do this,'" Conrad said. "These are entry-level positions that will give them that first step through that door."
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been corrected to clarify that Gateway Allied Health is allied with health programs, and is not a medical school training physicians.
Gateway Allied Health, located at 174 Cornerstone Court, Suite C, started classes on Monday. - Photo by Donald Cross of The Sentinel-Record
From left are Jennifer Hinojosa, admissions coordinator, Whitney McFarland, CNA instructor, and Mellonie Conrad, program director, shown in the waiting room of Gateway Allied Health. - Photo by Donald Cross of The Sentinel-Record