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What is NAHCA?

What is NAHCA?

The National Association of Health Care Assistants was formally established in 1995 by former certified nursing assistants Lori Porter and Lisa Cantrell. Initially working as caregivers, both moved up the nursing home management ladder, Lori eventually becoming a licensed nursing home administrator and Lisa a director of nursing. Throughout their careers, they remained focused on their years as caregivers, realizing that nursing assistants are both the backbone and the heart and soul of the long term care profession.

With these beliefs as their framework, the pair began formulating a plan to fully recognize the contributions caregivers make to long term care. Their goal was to assure the highest quality of care was provided to the nation’s elders living in nursing homes, achieved by elevating the professional standing and performance of nursing assistants. In 1995, they formally established NAHCA™ as a professional association of caregivers for caregivers.

Today, the association has a membership of more than 35,000 caregivers representing over 500 nursing homes in 29 states and the District of Columbia.  Based in Washington, DC, it provides recognition for outstanding achievements, development training for caregivers, mentoring programs to reduce CNA turnover, and advocacy for issues important to long term care and caregivers. The organization also has entered the legislative arena, providing testimony on staffing in long term care before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Our Mission

The Mission of the National Association of Health Care Assistants is to elevate the professional standing and performance of Caregivers through recognition, advocacy, education and empowerment; while building a strong alliance with health care providers to maximize success and quality care.

NAHCA™ is not a bargaining unit and has no connections to any organized labor unions. We do not represent staff members in employment disputes and we do not become involved in disciplinary actions of our members.

NAHCA Gallery NAHCA Partners

Browse the gallery to see NAHCA in action!

NAHCA would like to recognize the many state and national associations for their continuous support. They have partnered with NAHCA to educate, motivate, invigorate and support their nursing assistants and direct caregivers. Click the link  to view our state and national partners.
   
MyCaregiver NAHCA on Social Networking
My Caregiver is a quarterly magazine published by the Academy of Certified Health Professionals (ACHP) for and about health care assistants and their role in long term care. It is a special magazine, a publication virtually every person in the long term care industry will want to read.

With a circulation of 10,000, we reach nursing assistants, Directors of Nursing, facility Administrators, nursing home residents, and their families, product manufacturers, policy makers, and other health care associations.

With the age of technology progressing  and social networking sites popping up everywhere, NAHCA has entered the scene with their own Social Networking site, The NAHCA Message Board.
Here you can communicate with other caregivers, NAHCA Staff, and National Steering Committee Members, share your ideas and memorable caregiving moments and much more.
Of course you can also find NAHCA on the popular social sites such as  Myspace, Facebook and Twitter as well.
Click any of the links below to share with us today!

NAHCA Messageboard NAHCA on Facebook NAHCA on Twitter

 

 

 National Association of Health Care Assistants
2709 W. 13th St. Joplin MO. 64801
 Phone: 800-784-6049 | Fax: (417) 623-2230
Copyright 2009