(Paxton, IL) Accolade Healthcare’s Certified Nursing Assistant School had their first round of graduates complete the course on Friday, September 16th. The classroom located at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton Senior Living, 450 E. Fulton St., hosted 8 students for their first class which began on August 1st.

Course instructor, Terri Richards reports the CNA class will take 6 weeks to complete. The first four weeks are lecture and lab and if students successfully pass this portion, then they advance to the clinical phase, which is 10 days long. Once students finish the course, they will go on to take the state examination.

Accolade Healthcare’s goal in opening the CNA School is to combat the staffing shortage by creating an opportunity that is feasible for our Auxiliary Aides to attend. All 8 students were from Paxton, IL and surrounding areas, which meant the schools location assisted in minimizing the cost of travel. Terri comments on the class, “As the coordinator, my goal here is to train these Auxiliary Aides to be the best CNAs to fill the positions in our facilities and hopefully move ahead to other healthcare positions, like nursing or therapy. (The Program) is offered free of charge and students receive a stipend while in class. Next steps are to develop a preceptor program so each new CNA will get off to a good start in their career.”

Terri stated the next session will begin October 3rd and currently 15 new students are enrolled in the class. Accolade Healthcare is excited to see the Auxiliary Aides moving on to the next level and hope new students will be interested in this opportunity.

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming an Auxiliary Aide, please apply online at https://accoladehc.candidatecare.jobs/