St. Joseph’s/Candler and Savannah Technical College have created two innovative programs to give employment, a full-time salary and free tuition while quickly developing students into healthcare professionals.
The two accelerated apprentice programs will give students the opportunity to obtain Certified Nurse Aide or Patient Care Technician certifications while going to school and working shifts at St. Joseph’s/Candler.
“This is a great example of how we can come together to creatively address workforce development, create new jobs and meet the healthcare needs of our community,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “Not only will these students earn a great wage, full-time benefits and practical, on-the-job training, but they will have their tuition covered while they go to Savannah Technical College, which is known for producing highly-skilled students ready for the workforce.”
“We know there is tremendous demand for healthcare workers, and we are excited to partner with St. Joseph’s/Candler to offer this accelerated healthcare training,” said Savannah Technical College President Dr. Kathy Love. “Thus far, our apprenticeship programs have centered around the manufacturing sector. We are pleased to see those opportunities for students expanded to our Certified Nurse Aide and Patient Care Technician training.”
How it works
Potential students will apply for a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and Patient Care Technician (PCT) position at St. Joseph’s/Candler and at Savannah Tech simultaneously.
Students will work part-time at St. Joseph’s/Candler and attend classes part-time at Savannah Technical College while earning a full-time salary for the duration of the program. St. Joseph’s/Candler will pay for tuition and fees for the Nurse Aide Accelerated program at Savannah Tech and a state program covers fees for the PCT program.
The Nurse Aide Accelerated program is eight-weeks long and the PCT program is 18-weeks long. For details, please visit www.sjchs.org/CNA-PCT-apprentice.
What does a CNA do?
Certified Nurse Aides are an important position in any healthcare setting, with many responsibilities that make them integral to patient care. CNAs help patients with direct healthcare needs, often under the supervision of a nurse. They perform critical, sometimes physical and complex, tasks that ensure patients are well-cared for and safe during their hospital stay. Specific tasks vary, but you may help patients with:
- Eating
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Brushing their teeth
- Answer calls for help
- Deliver messages
- Serve meals
- Make beds
- Help tidy up rooms
Being a CNA is a great stepping stone to other healthcare professions, especially nursing. Becoming a CNA will not only teach students how to interact with patients, but it also will introduce them to the healthcare field so that they can determine if healthcare is the right career choice. CNA is the first step toward PCT.
What does a PCT do?
Patient Care Technicians also work directly with patients, taking care of basic needs, such as feeding and hygiene. However, different than CNAs, PCTs have more training that allows them to complete other tasks as well. PCTs help patients with procedures such as:
- Taking vital signs
- Performing glucose testing
- Blood draws
- Other needs under the direction and supervision of a doctor or registered nurse
For more details and to apply, go to sjchs.org/cna-pct-apprentice.
#2240 | March 30, 2022
St. Joseph’s/Candler: Scott M. Larson
PR and Digital Manager
912-596-5084 or larsons@sjchs.org
Health Sciences Advisor: Cindy Cole
912.443.5721 or ccole@savannahtech.edu
A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.