Determination leads deaf nurse to role in the ICU

 

Pushing the limits of what’s possible, Casey King sets an example for other deaf people interested in medical careers.  

Casey, seated communicates with a male nurse standing up on the right.  Computer screens are seen between them.

Joni Behrends seems to want to say something. Breathing through a ventilator, she can’t.

So, Casey King, RN, hands her a pen and holds a pad of paper as Behrends writes a series of letters on it: W….I…..T….S….O.

King signs to her interpreter, who turns to the patient: “Let’s try a marker.”

This time Behrends writes something resembling cursive. Still, neither King nor her interpreter can figure it out.

King signs to her interpreter, “Do you want some paper just to draw on?”

Behrends nods.

Earlier, Behrends mouthed responses to questions about her name, what year it is, where she is, all of which was huge progress as she recovers from brain surgery on the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).

“I’m seeing her come to life again,” King says through her interpreter.

Read on at https://health.osu.edu/health/general-health/deaf-icu-nurse?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrrJtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHj6hX97F0D6BkTwuPtq36IqkrtFERiozZlwDZzWosfwF4nJmmNQnRQjgB0uG_aem_PlDIljjoxApdwsimoZsPjQ&sfnsn=mo.

 

Deaf-Centric National Caregiver Certification Training

Deaf-Centric National Caregiver Certification Training

4 Week Training

Gallaudet University’s National Caregiver Certification Training
is the first-of-its-kind caregiver training program in ASL and English, designed specifically for Deaf caregivers and those working with Deaf senior citizens. This self-paced, 4-week online training prepares you for the American Caregiver Association (ACA) exam—the national standard in caregiver certification.

Gain essential caregiving skills—from patient rights and hygiene to dementia care and disease prevention
Understand how to support Deaf seniors with culturally and linguistically appropriate training
Earn a nationally recognized caregiver certificate from the ACA upon completion
If you are interested in getting certified, or are looking to find a caregiver in your area,

please contact cce@gallaudet.edu]

Gallaudet University’s National Caregiver Certification Training (NCCT) is the first-of-its-kind caregiver training program in ASL and English, designed specifically for Deaf caregivers and those working with Deaf senior citizens. This self-paced, 4-week online course prepares you for the American Caregiver Association (ACA) exam—the national standard in caregiver certification.

Gain essential caregiving skills—from patient rights and hygiene to dementia care and disease prevention.

Understand how to support Deaf seniors with culturally and linguistically appropriate training.

Earn a nationally recognized caregiver certificate from the ACA upon completion.

If you are interested in getting certified or are looking to find a caregiver in your area, please contact cce@gallaudet.edu.

 

Direct Support Provider (DSP) jobs

DHSS logo

Skilled, compassionate care for people with disabilities.

DSPs help people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities to access services they need to thrive in the community. The roles and responsibilities of DSPs are varied. On any given day, they can solve problems, administer medication, provide treatment, teach new skills, and even perform behavioral assessments and crisis interventions. Most importantly, they are caretakers, support systems, and friends

Apply through any of the approved providers listed at https://dhss.delaware.gov/ddds/dsp.html.  Each provider has their own job openings so you may want to check all of them.

DAD Note:  There may be ASL DSP positions also.  DHSS also requested that we share the DSP openings through a local deaf advocacy group.