Following the successful completion of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority’s (CIHA) inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program in the Spring of 2024, CIHA is excited to announce that two new cohorts have officially begun training this week. Building on the momentum of the first program, this expansion will allow both cohorts to run simultaneously throughout the summer.
This latest round of CNA training reflects CIHA’s continued commitment to addressing healthcare workforce needs while investing in the professional growth of its community. Many of the students in these new cohorts are enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), with several already working at CIHA and taking advantage of this opportunity for career advancement.
“This expansion speaks volumes about the interest in the program and the community’s dedication to healthcare,” said Janet Medford, Director of Nursing for Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. “We’re especially proud to see so many of our own employees stepping forward to gain new skills and advance their careers right here at home.”
As with the initial class, the program is entirely free for participants and includes all textbooks, workbooks, and the cost of the state certification exam. Students also receive $15 per hour while attending class and working on clinical units. Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays for one group of students and Tuesdays and Thursdays for the second group, both from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the CIHA campus, offering a balance of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.
The CNA program is part of CIHA’s larger effort to ensuring adequate staffing of the new Tsali Care Center, which opened last fall. Graduates who pass the state exam will be considered for employment at CIHA and, if hired, will commit to serving at the new facility.
The Nurse Aide I Training Program provides students with the essential skills needed to deliver compassionate, safe, and effective patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. At the conclusion of the course, students are eligible to take the state certification exam administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation.
With the success of the first cohort and the launch of two more, CIHA is paving the way for sustainable workforce development while creating opportunities for tribal citizens to thrive in healthcare careers.
