CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — A new training program will pay those interested in becoming a long-term care nursing aide while they earn their certificate.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation is launching an in-house program to train certified nursing assistants, or CNAs.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Good Shepherd to develop our long-term care workforce,” said Jeanne Dzurenko, Good Shepherd's senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.
“Our resident population relies on certified nursing assistants for the most basic needs, and we believe we can deliver the best possible training for the best possible care.
"Our nursing educators are excited to have this program within our network to engage and grow the CNA workforce.”
The Long-Term Care Nursing Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, or NATCEP, is a four-week course that trains applicants to take the state competency exam.
It’s been approved by the state Education Department.
“Candidates accepted into the program will be hired as certified nursing assistant trainees at Good Shepherd prior to the program’s start and be paid while training,”Good Shepherd Rehabilitation
The course will begin in June and run through July. The application process is now open.
Classes will be on Good Shepherd’s South Allentown campus at 850 S. 5th St. Clinical rotations will occur within Good Shepherd Home–Raker Center, 601 St. John St., Allentown.
Addressing nursing shortage
“Candidates accepted into the program will be hired as certified nursing assistant trainees at Good Shepherd prior to the program’s start and be paid while training,” read a statement from the health care provider.
The goal of the program is to train more CNAs amid a nursing shortage, according to Good Shepherd.
“Health-care professionals often have visions and desires to rethink how we do things. Sometimes those visions don’t become reality, but when they do, it is because of the professionals who have the desire to change and then drive the process."Jeanne Dzurenko, Good Shepherd's senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer
After completing the certification, attendees will be hired at one of Good Shepherd’s two nursing homes: Good Shepherd Home-Raker Center in Allentown or Good Shepherd Home-Bethlehem.
“Health care professionals often have visions and desires to rethink how we do things," Dzurenko said.
"Sometimes those visions don’t become reality, but when they do, it is because of the professionals who have the desire to change and then drive the process.
“Kristen, Carol and Carrie worked tirelessly to meet the rigorous standards. Not only did they meet the standards, feedback from the surveyors was outstanding.”
