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Huron Expositor, 2007-09-19, Page 7The Huron Expositor • September 19, 2007 Page 7 News Food service worker course could be third health care course offered in Huron County Susan H u n d e r t m a r k Huron County nursing homes are hoping Georgian College can offer a food service worker (FSW) training program in Seaforth. Because new health regulations since last January require anyone working in the kitchens at health care institutions, Seaforth Manor administrator Cathie Schalk says it's going to get tougher to find staff in Huron County. "The people who are already working here have been grandfa- thered into the qualifications but it's going to be horrible looking for anyone else for these jobs because no one in Huron County has this course," she says. If it's offered, the FSW course would be the third local health care course to be proposed to Georgian College. A four-year part-time Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) course in Seaforth is halfway to completion in 2009 and a second course for per- sonal support workers (PSW) is in the preliminary stages. A public meeting was held recent- ly asking interested PSW students to sign up and 30 names were gath- ered. Laura Overholt, manager of Healthkick Huron, says the PSW and FSW courses are part of a pro- posal Healthkick is submitting to continue the program for another three years. While no date has been set yet, Overholt says a second public meet- ing is being planned for this fall for anyone else interested in taking the PSW course. Overholt says 20 of the original 25 RPN students are still taking the course. "They're doing really well and we're hopeful we keep the numbers we have. It's been a lot of work since most of the students have families and jobs too. But, I think they see the horizon since there are lots of demands for those jobs," she says. Schalk says she's been "putting out feelers" to all of the other local nursing homes about the need for the FSW course and is discovering they all face the same challenge. "If we had to advertise for some- one today, there aren't too many we'd find with this course," she says, adding that those who are working at one qualified if they changed jobs to another nursing home. Schalk says the problem is specifi- cally a rural one since nursing homes in cities with nearby commu- nity colleges have no problem find- ing food services staff. The 240 -hour FSW course has six modules on topics such as institu- tional food services, food prepara- tion, food safety and workplace safe- ty, food preparation, nutritional care and food service management func- tions. The course would allow the work- er to find employment at long term care facilities, hospitals, health care institutions, group homes, retire- ment homes, school cafeterias, day- care centres for children and the elderly, corrections institutions and camps. While the course is offered online, Schalk points out that not everyone is comfortable learning indepen- dently. She says 20 people are needed to be able to offer the course, which she says could be held at the Seaforth Manor depending on the students who enrol. facility would not be considered Health unit reports first case of West Nile Virus in Huron County A woman from northern Huron County is being reported as the first prob- able case of West Nile Virus in the county, says the Huron County Health Unit. The woman appears to have contracted the dis- ease while traveling out- sideek�of Ontario. SFie tested positive after preliminary tests conduct- ed at the Public Health Laboratory in Toronto. The results of further tests are pending before the case can be confirmed as West Nile Virus. There have been no birds or mosquitoes found anywhere in Huron County this year that have tested positive for West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus is an ill- ness mainly transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people with the virus show either no signs or get flu- like symptoms. Sometimes, the virus can cause severe illness, resulting in hospitaliza- tion and even death. People with lowered immune systems and those over age 50 years are most at risk. Although it is late in the season, Public Health Inspector Paul Dawson asks people to stay alert about prevention. "Although the weather is cooling down, the risk of people getting the virus from mosquitoes will be present until the first frost. This case under- lines how important it is for people to remain vigi- lant in protecting them- selves and their families." The health unit reminds anyone who finds a dead crow or blue jay to report it by calling 519-482-3416, or if long distance, 1-877- 837-6143. HAY MIJIUAL�a COMPANY Zurich, Ontario Tel 519-236-4381 www. haymutual. on. ca FARMS • HOMES • COTTAGES Anyone interested in the course is asked to call Cathie Schalk at 519- 527-0927. For a better Ontario LEADERSHIP MATTERS A Vote for Rob Morley is A Voice for Rural Ontario Support Rob Morley on Oct. 10 kilti THE ROB MORLEY CAMPAIGN 1-866-429-8868 rob@robmorley.com www.robmorley.com authorized by the CFO for The Rob Morley Campaign Lti McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Box 819 91 Main St. S., SEAFORTH 519-527-0400 1-800-463-9204 • FARM • URBAN • AUTO • COMMERCIAL Fax 519-527-2777 Serving You Since 1876 Insurance is Their Business— Our Safety is Their Concern. My mutual insurance company provides top quality insurance protection for our family. But what we like are the loss prevention programs which cut the cost of claims. 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