Inside Athena: Countryside’s RCCA Mentors Staff and Supports Resident
BRISTOL, C.T. — Michelle Myers plays a vital role at Countryside Manor of Bristol as the Resident Care Coordinator Assistant (RCCA). In this position, she collaborates with all departments to ensure residents receive the care they need, and she specifically focuses on training the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) on proper documentation.
Michelle, (middle) alongside CNA Amanda (left) and CNA Jalynn (right)
From a young age, Myers knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. She initially aimed to become a nurse and decided to take a CNA course offered at her high school to gain foundational knowledge. Once she started working as a CNA, she fell in love with the role and never looked back.
“I saw how hands-on it was, and I loved the interactions,” she shared. Myers began her career at Countryside Manor 27 years ago, spending the first 16 years as a CNA. She briefly worked as a Rehab Tech in therapy before transitioning into her current RCCA role 11 years ago.
“I’ve grown up here,” she said, “Countryside is my second family. I still get to interact with the residents, and I’ve always enjoyed working with the elderly. It’s wonderful to witness their journey and see how they progress.”
As the center’s RCCA, Myers works closely with the CNAs, providing training on the accuracy and timeliness of documentation. The accuracy of documentation is critical because it is part of larger residents’ assessment that gets submitted to the state for reimbursement, Myers explains. Having been in their shoes, she understands the dedication required to care for residents and serves as a mentor to the team.
She emphasizes the importance of the CNAs’ role, reminding them that they are often the first to notice significant changes in residents, making their observations crucial for alerting other staff members.
Myers enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with every department within the center in her role. “It’s great to see and learn from all the other departments and how we all work together to care for the residents here,” she noted.
When new residents arrive at the center, Myers always makes a point to introduce herself and help, whether their stay is short-term or long-term. “I’m always here to help our residents, and if I can’t assist them directly, I’ll find the right person who can,” she said.
Myers was also selected as the June 2024 Employee of the Month!
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