Start an exciting new career as a CNA

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Careers in healthcare can be very rewarding, but sometimes, travel to a distant classroom and the cost of courses are barriers to completing training. Eastern Maine Community College and Northern Light Mayo Hospital are making training as convenient as possible by offering local certified nursing assistant training at no cost.

All students accepted into the course will receive free training thanks to funding from the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce. Seven students will be eligible to become full-time Mayo or Northern Light CA Dean Hospital employees and be paid for time spent learning in the classroom and in the hospital.

“A career as a CNA can be very fulfilling, and for those who would like to continue their training, it can be a great first step toward becoming a registered nurse or other clinical professional,” says Nikki Chadwick, RN, MSN, CPHQ, vice president of Education and Preparedness, CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals, and one of the instructors for the course.

Certified nursing assistants are important members of the healthcare team. CNA duties include taking vital signs, documenting, transporting, and providing basic care and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and feeding.

The enrollment process includes a criminal background check, placement testing, and application prior to acceptance into the program. To learn more and apply for the free CNA program, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/mA3piZ017u. To apply for a sponsorship to be paid while learning, please visit Career Opportunities and Jobs – Northern Light Health and enter job code 76106 (CA Dean Hospital Medical/Surgical Unit), 76540 (Mayo Hospital Medical/Surgical Unit) or 76541 (Mayo Hospital Emergency Department).