Franklin County Home Health Agency is pleased to announce that four employees have recently become certified by the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses. Annette Blanchard, RN, Kimberley Volk, RN, Rhoda Gagne, LNA, and Lynne Marie Villareal, LNA underwent a rigorous examination to test their knowledge and expertise of:  end-stage disease processes in adult patients; pain management; symptom management; care of the patient and family; education and advocacy; interdisciplinary/collaborative practice; and professional issues. 

The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses was incorporated in 1993 to develop a program of certification for the specialty practice of hospice and palliative nursing. Hospice and Palliative nurse and LNA certification is recognized for a period of four years, at which time the candidate must retake and pass the current Certification Examination for Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses.

This was the second time each of these women was certified as Hospice Nurses and Licensed Nursing Assistants. Annette Blanchard, RN, Hospice Manager, FCHHA said, “This was the first time the training included computer based testing here in Vermont.  This will make it easier for staff interested in Certification in the future as they will not have to travel to another state.”

Hospice and palliative care are specialized areas of health care, devoted to the patients’ and families’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life.  A special interdisciplinary team of providers, including nurses, home health aides, social workers, volunteers, physicians and clergy members work together to ensure that those needs are met. Annette adds, “The presence of Certified Hospice staff at our Agency contributes to improved quality of care for our patients.”

Franklin County Home Health Agency is a non-profit home health care organization providing home care and hospice to people of all ages throughout Franklin County.  For more information about hospice and palliative care in Franklin County, call 527-7531 or visit www.fchha.org