In the past year, a trend has emerged in NCCHC’s certification program: large groups of applicants from a single correctional system or contract services company. Among the first was Armor Correctional Health Services, Inc., which also recruited one of the largest applicant groups thus far. We talked with company officials to learn about this ambitious effort.

First, some background. A relatively young company, Armor was established in July 2004 in Florida to provide medical, dental and mental health services to jails and prisons. Today Armor employs 1,200 people and serves more than 20 facilities in Florida, Virginia and Oklahoma.

The physician-owned company prides itself on maintaining a high level of expertise among its health care staff. “Armor has been a strong advocate for staff education from the beginning,” says Kathy Harkis, RN, BS, CCHP, director of staff development. With more than 25 years of experience in correctional health care in five states, she has worked in numerous management capacities and well understands the importance of good training and the value of professional certification.

The management team shares her view. “Our CEO saw the benefit of additional training and thought of starting with management staff,” Harkis explains. “The next step was to offer certification to all employees, and the campaign began. The motivation was to achieve yet another level of training that would positively impact patient care and benefit the employee, as well.”

All Aboard!
“Once the idea was floated, it was eagerly endorsed by everyone,” says Don Morgan, CCHP, director of program development. “We recognize the CCHP as a sign of professional commitment for our staff and a measure of quality for our customers.” Morgan entered the correctional field in 2001 after more than 15 years of hospital and mental health administration experience in the community.

In early 2009, Harkis contacted NCCHC to arrange for a large number of CCHP applicants. She and Morgan were among the first group of Armor employees who took the exam at the Updates conference last April and officially became CCHPs in July. Ultimately, more than 100 employees applied, so NCCHC set up special testing dates in May and June. Future group exams are planned for this year.

Morgan lauds the positive feelings that the campaign generated: “I found the staff members to be enthusiastic and highly motivated to both learn and to pass the test. I also enjoyed the encouragement I received from them. The team spirit was impressive!”

Well-Stated
Harkis explains why becoming was certified was important to her: “I always knew it was important for professional growth as well as being a role model for staff, and now was the time. Maintaining certification assures that I will keep up with changes and trends in corrections and gives me a well-rounded perspective to share with others.”

For Morgan, the value is different, yet just as important: “I wanted to challenge myself to learn more of the basics and to secure a stronger relationship with my peers who are expert, clinical professionals. Since my background is management, not clinical, I can now bring better understanding to my work on a daily basis.”

But it’s not just the higher-ups who are pleased about their credential. Staff feedback has been highly favorable, Harkis reports. Not to be overlooked is the good will that came from the company’s generosity. Armor paid each applicant’s fees, and has committed to pay for annual recertification. The COO also sent a letter of congratulations to each CCHP, enclosing a certificate for dinner for two.

“Armor went above and beyond especially in today’s economy,” one staff member wrote. And from another, “Staff feel very proud to have the NCCHC certification and the knowledge that comes with it.”