The Certified Nurse Aide certification offered through Skillpoint Alliance’s Gateway Program has historically operated as a four week training opportunity to Austin area residents. Throughout the duration of the program, participants learn and practice technical skills that will be utilized in a home health, hospital or living facility setting. Additionally, our participants spend 40 hours (one of the four weeks) working in an assisted living facility to practice for the Texas State Board exam.
In 2017, Skillpoint Alliance met with healthcare industry partners to understand the needs within the field, and determine ways to improve the tenured certification program. Based on partner feedback, it became apparent to the Gateway team that the CNA participants required more soft skills training and potentially more technical skills knowledge to become better hiring candidates. The Gateway team began looking at training facilities that could benefit our participants in terms of location and learning opportunity.
Skillpoint’s relationship with the Marbridge Foundation began as a location for clinicals training in 2016 and over the past year, both organizations have built a strong partnership that is helping to mold the Austin CNA classes.
We are proud to announce that in Skillpoint Alliance’s Austin first Certified Nurse Aide class of 2018 will be held at the Marbridge Foundation facility in Manchaca, TX. The training program has been redeveloped as a five week program to include the following:
- Feeding Assistant training incorporated into technical skills curriculum,
- The opportunity to work for Marbridge Foundation as a Temporary Hospitality Assistant based on a successful interview with the Marbridge HR team and good standing within the program,
- Increased professional development training.
The first CNA class in partnership with the Marbridge Foundation will run from January 22nd – February 23rd. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply on our website, www.skillpointalliance.org/gateway.