Pennsylvania’s First CNA Apprenticeship Program WATCH Project Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health Monna Harman, RN, BSN CNA Apprenticeship Instructor

WATCH CNA Apprenticeship Developed and implemented in partnership by these organizations: HPOG – Health Profession Opportunity Grant, a $9.1 million grant over five years; assists income-eligible individuals to enter a career in nursing CSIU – Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit NCPA AHEC – North Central PA Area Health Education Center DOL/ETA/OA – Federal and PA Offices of Apprenticeship PCT - Pennsylvania College of Technology, North Campus Susque-View Home, Inc. PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY P ENN S TATE

CNA Apprenticeship Overview What is apprenticeship? Why is apprenticeship valuable? Who benefits? What is required for registered apprenticeship?

CNA Apprenticeship Overview A registered apprenticeship program Is an employer-driven program for their employees 2000 hours on the job training, about a year 144 hours of related instruction Awards a nationally recognized and portable certificate Regulated by the US and PA Apprenticeship Offices

CNA Apprenticeship CNA Employer Challenges Lack of soft skills in new employees – absences, tardiness High turnover of CNA staff High cost to replace a CNA - about $5,000, including extra hours or extra people to cover the work until a new hire is oriented Short retention means fewer experienced CNAs

CNA Apprenticeship Benefits for Employers Increases employee job satisfaction and loyalty Increases job retention Increases quality of CNA’s work Increases patient and family satisfaction with quality of care Increases word-of-mouth advertising

CNA Apprenticeship Benefits for Apprentices Increases job satisfaction Increases knowledge, skills, and confidence Earns recognition from other staff for learning and improving Offers a transferable national credential Enables a life-long career and upward mobility Provides an opportunity for self-improvement

CNA Apprenticeship Design the Related Instruction Curriculum Curriculum must be approved by Apprenticeship Office Must meet or exceed approved requirements Based on Good Samaritan Society model First year includes Advanced CNA and a specialty module Employer may add to approved competencies Employer determines the specialty module needed Credit is given for a basic CNA already acquired

CNA Apprenticeship Previous certification: Basic CNA (120 OJT hrs for previous certification) Then must complete: Advanced CNA (1025 OJT hrs/ 81 Related Instruction hrs) Then must complete 1 Specialty module: Geriatrics Specialty (870 OJT hrs/ 69 Related Instruction hrs) Dementia Specialty OR Mentoring Specialty At this time, our modules are Advanced CNA and Geriatrics Specialty

CNA Apprenticeship Develop the related instruction Nurse Educators at Penn College North Campus  Selected textbook with workbook and CD  Developed syllabus and competencies  Prepared worksheets and handouts WATCH Registered Nurses  Prepared lesson plans  Created and edited instructional videos for DVD  Prepared unit tests  WATCH CNA Instructor (RN, BSN) finalized curriculum and supervises related instruction

CNA Apprenticeship Build an apprenticeship program Apprenticeship Office  Requirements and approval for registered apprenticeship  Guidance on employer and apprentice needs WATCH CNA Apprenticeship Instructor  Related Instruction (theory) – 150 hours  Ensures successful implementation through support to employer and apprentices Employer

CNA Apprenticeship Develop the on-the-job training component (2000 hours) Employer  Determines 1.Criteria for selection of apprentices 2.Wage increase schedule 3.Any additional competencies that must be met  Selects staff at their facility who will be 1.Apprentices (CNAs) 2.Apprenticeship Site Supervisor (RN)  Supports, evaluates, and tracks apprentices’ progress  Communicates with the CNA Apprenticeship instructor 3.Mentors (LPN/RN unless apprentice completes Mentoring Specialty)  Check readiness to practice learned skills  Demonstrate skills and observe return demonstration on the unit  Communicates with the Apprenticeship Site Supervisor

CNA Apprenticeship Register and begin the apprenticeship program Office of Apprenticeship helps  Send the curriculum for approval  Prepare and send the standards of apprenticeship  Be approved Employer selects apprentices and begins  Both parties sign apprenticeship agreements  Apprentices begin the learning modules  Apprentices and mentors are scheduled together  Mentors work with apprentices to practice skills

Contact Information Monna Harman WATCH CNA Apprenticeship Instructor (570) Steven Myers PA Field Representative, DOL/ETA Office of Apprenticeship WATCH

This presentation was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health (WATCH) is a Health Profession Opportunity Grant and is administered by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU). hpogcommunity.acf.hhs.gov