Albany, GA. - Albany Technical College and Phoebe Health System will hold an informational session for the new Nurse Aide (CNA) employee enrollment opportunity this evening, April 6, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Phoebe Cafeteria Solarium.
This program is a new partnership created by Albany Tech and Phoebe Health System for students who could enroll in Albany Tech’s Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program and be offered potential employment through Phoebe. Students must be at least 17 years of age to qualify and scholarships and financial assistance will be available.
The CNA program at Albany Tech is designed to prepare students with rigorous classroom training and practice, as well as the clinical experiences to perform a full range of patient care duties or services under nursing or medical direction. This includes taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, assisting with duties of daily living, observing and charting patient information, and reporting appropriate information to supervisors.
“There is a shortage of Nurse Aides in the Southwest Georgia region, and this would help fulfill the need for both long- and acute care,” said Katrenia Shivers, RN, Nurse Aide Coordinator/Practical Nursing instructor at Albany Tech.
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment program (NNAAP), which determines competency to become enrolled in the State Nurse Aide Registry.
“This is a much needed program for Albany as 14.2 percent of the population in Dougherty County is over 65,” said Dr. Tanjula Petty, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Albany Tech.
“The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that employment is expected to increase by 21 percent due to factors such as an aging population moving into nursing homes and more patients suffering from chronic illnesses. It is critical for the community to have well-trained CNA’s who will specialize in providing long-term care needs, basic nursing care, taking vital signs, providing personal care needs to patients. CNA’s will be trained and equipped to effectively communicate with patients. The great benefit is that students will receive hands on experience in the hospital and the nursing home setting, therefore being trained in a multifaceted setting.”
“We look forward to this partnership with Albany Technical College in preparing future certified nursing assistants. The role of the CNA is invaluable to the work of the nurse at the bedside. Nurses spend a good deal of time doing work that could be safely accomplished by the CNA,” said Evelyn Olenick, DNP, RN, Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer at Phoebe.
Media interested in attending tonight’s informational session should meet in the front lobby promptly at 5:45 p.m. this evening.
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About Albany Technical College
A public postsecondary institution of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), Albany Technical College provides technical education and training support for the evolving workforce needs of Southwest Georgia through traditional and online classroom settings. Albany Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/COC). For more information about Albany Tech, go to www.albanytech.edu or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlbanyTech or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlbanyTech. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel by visiting www.youtube.com/albanytech1 .
About Phoebe Putney Health System
Phoebe Putney Health System (PPHS) is a not-for-profit healthcare delivery system that serves more than half a million residents in Southwest Georgia. With 400 affiliated doctors and 4,500 medical professionals, Phoebe delivers outstanding healing and prevention to its communities. The system is made up of five hospital facilities, family medicine clinics, rehabilitation facilities and specialty physician offices. Phoebe’s facilities, advanced medical technologies and treatments, and highly qualified professionals have distinguished the system as a healthcare leader.