Connecting students to healthcare careers, professionals to communities and communities to better health.

North Eastern Montana AHEC

The North Eastern Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) serves fifteen counties in the north eastern region of Montana and is one of five regional offices in the state. The North Eastern AHEC is a grant funded program that is affiliated with Montana Health Network. The mission of the office is to recruit, train and retain a health professions work force committed to rural and underserved populations.

We work with students of all ages, encouraging them to pursue careers in the high skill, high pay and high demand healthcare industry. Our programming provides students with career exploration resources and opportunities to further their healthcare knowledge. We also work with over 65 medical facilities statewide as well as colleges and universities across the country to help place interested health professionals throughout Montana.

2020 News

Online CNA Classes

Jan 6, 2020

The non-credit Nursing Assistant curriculum will prepare students for careers in healthcare under the supervision of the licensed nurse. Students learn the basic entry-level nursing skills to work in the health care setting as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Curriculum includes providing or assisting in client care, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, ambulation, transferring, feeding, and use of equipment, documenting, and reporting the general well-being of the client. Theory and clinical study will provide necessary information and skills needed in long-term, home care, and acute care settings to take the Montana Department of Health, State Competency Evaluation Examination, which is required for the Nursing Assistant State Registry. The State exam includes written as well as a clinical portion, Examples are available online at: www.hdmaster.com. Classes start every four weeks. Contact us at (406) 234-1424 for more information or click here for an application.

Satisfied Participants

Jan 6, 2020

“This is a fantastic program for new C.N.A.’s. We have been able to assist with training new Certified Nursing Assistant’s with our seasoned C.N.A’s. We have successfully graduated 5 students and 4 continue working with us today” DON at Partner Facility

"I was thoroughly impressed with both the quality and ease of taking the CNA class online that is offered by the Montana Health Network. As a licensed nursing home administrator of 29 years, taking the CNA course for the first time helped me understand the details of the training provided to our CNAs and has helped align our new employee orientation to be a more seamless process from classroom to working on the floor. The weekly course work has a natural flow from week to week and Julie Russell, our Educator/Staff Coordinator, was great with instructions and follow up support. I highly recommend this exceptional online CNA training program. It has really helped with recruiting new CNAs to our organization." Student/Facility Administrator

“As a student, the MHN CNA course was user friendly and easy to follow. My instructor was prompt with her replies to any questions or concerns I had during the duration of the course. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is wanting to venture into the world of healthcare!” Student

HOW CAN YOUR LOCAL AHEC HELP YOU?

Whether you have specific career questions in mind, are looking for training programs, or want to learn more about healthcare in general, AHEC professionals are willing and able to provide you with the information that you need.

AHEC can help you through the entire process of launching a healthcare career, from searching for the right school, to actually getting a job in the field you love!

Our Courses

Rural Nurse Residency
Essentials of Dementia Care
Certified Nursing Assistant High School Fall Semester 2021
Success Skills Training for CNAs and Entry Level Workers High School Fall 2021
Certified Nursing Assistant October 2021
Certified Nursing Assistant November 2021
Certified Nursing Assistant December 2021
Certified Nursing Assistant Cut Bank HS December 2021 / January 2022

I was fascinated by all the job opportunities and medical-related things we were taught.

I appreciated the time you took and the effort.

OUR MISSION

The Montana AHEC’s (Area Health Education Center) mission is to improve the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on primary care, through community and academic educational partnerships in order to increase the access to quality healthcare. We work to connect students to healthcare careers, professionals to communities, and communities to better health.

With the additional benefit of certification (credentialing) as a trustee, this course is a must. I recommend it highly.

OUR THREE AREAS OF FOCUS

Recruitment and Retention of qualified healthcare professionals — we promote Montana's job opportunities through participation at local, regional and national career fairs and through the utilization of online web postings.

Pipeline programs for students in grades 9-12 to generate interest in healthcare professions — we currently work with 3 pipeline programs in our office. REACH (Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare) is a day-long camp for high school students to explore different careers in the medical field. HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) is a student organization that allows for exploration in health careers while building leadership and teamwork skills. MedStart summer camps focuses on rural, minority, low-income and first generation college-bound students and provides an introduction to health science and college life.

Continuing education and retention programs for practicing healthcare professionals — we host online continuing education webinars for rural providers, sponsorships and financial support for students interested in medical careers as well as continuing education for Montana healthcare professionals.

Our Objectives

Encourage youth from underserved areas/populations to pursue health careers.

Encourage health professionals to select employment in rural/underserved areas.

Provide continuing education/CME to health professionals employed in rural/underserved areas.