Tunxis Community College was chosen by the Metro Hartford Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (MACH) to deliver accelerated Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training as part of a pilot initiative that responds to employer demand for CNAs with enhanced skill sets.

The training program includes three weeks of job readiness training, an accelerated technical training program at Tunxis, and four weeks of paid work experience.

“This program is a tremendous opportunity for both the students and employers,” said David England, Ed.D., Tunxis dean of institutional effectiveness and outreach, who represents Tunxis in the health care workforce collaborative. “The job readiness and basic skills instruction that have been added to the CNA training as well as the four weeks of paid work experience will greatly enhance the students’ employability and ability to be productive employees.”

The accelerated program at Tunxis, which lasts just over five weeks, is offered in September, January and May. Anatomy and physiology, measuring vital signs, medical terminology, infection control, and many other aspects of patient care are covered. Students gain hands-on skills by practicing what they learn in clinical sessions. At the completion of the training, each student will sit for the state certification exam.

MACH’s program covers tuition, books and program materials for those students who qualify. Upon completion, each participant will receive a nationally recognized career readiness certificate and a CNA certificate. Those who are interested in finding out if they qualify and for more about the program should call Kelly Fitzgerald at 860.247.6090, ext. 101.

Convened, organized and managed by Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, MACH is a partnership of hospitals, community-based care providers, long-term care facilities, educators, public agencies and others committed to preparing residents for positions in health care.

Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford will fund the program pilot, which aims to advance the careers of unemployed and low-income workers in the Hartford and Enfield labor markets while increasing skilled workers that meet employers’ needs. One of its local funders, Capital Workforce Partners, will support this initiative. For more information, go to www.workforce-solutions.org.

In addition to the CNA program, Tunxis offers continuing education health care training in central sterile processing, EKG technician, EMT, patient care technician, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, and registered medical assistant. The College also offers a variety of credit programs in allied health fields. For more on the Tunxis CNA program, please call Cheryl Conaty, R.N., allied health coordinator, at 860.773.1450, or visit the Tunxis website at tunxis.edu. Tunxis is located in Farmington, at the junction of Routes 6 and 177.

 

 

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