Southeast Technical has announced two new certificate offerings in the college’s massage therapy program to prepare students to provide geriatric and hospice care.

Students will have the option of obtaining a certificate in geriatric health and wellness promotion or in holistic hospice and palliative care beginning fall 2011. The certificates are 30 credits each and can be completed on either the Winona or Red Wing campus. Learn more on the massage therapy program page.

The courses focus on alleviating the physical ailments that can be experienced as a client ages or reaches the end of life, and also on improving the spiritual and mental states that accompany life changes. These certificates are appropriate for family care providers, nurse’s aides, massage therapists, hospice employees, hospice volunteers, nurses, nursing home workers, or anyone who wants to give comfort to others. Courses qualify as continuing education hours (CEUs) for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as well as all massage professional organizations. They also qualify for nursing continuing education.

Massage therapy instructor Rosemary Schliep expressed excitement for the two new certificate programs. “As our population ages, the need for these services are ever increasing. What better gift can we give than to promote wellness and comfort in the last years of life? This training can benefit persons in all professions.”