College program approved by state; Grant-funded courses start in July
QUEENSBURY, New York (June 25, 2024) — SUNY Adirondack is proud to announce New York State Education Department approval of the college’s Personal Care Aide (PCA), Home Health Aide (HHA) and Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training programs.
Healthcare Pathways, a program funded by a State University of New York (SUNY) Future of Work Centers grant, resurrects courses the college hasn’t offered in several years.
"I am thrilled to announce the return of PCA, HHA and CNA health care training programs to SUNY Adirondack,” said Kimberly Comisky, director of Healthcare Pathways. “These programs will provide participants with essential skills and knowledge to make a difference in providing health care in our community."
Demand for direct-care professionals in our region is at a high.
“The demand for well-trained and highly competent caregivers has never been greater in our community, and these training programs will help meet this growing need,” said Andy Cruikshank, CEO of Fort Hudson Health System.
Two trainings — Personal Care Aid and Personal Care Aide to Home Health Aide — will be offered free this summer, with the $750/$850-per-participant cost of training paid for by the Healthcare Pathways grant.
The Personal Care Aide (PCA) training is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 8 to 19. This 40-hour course prepares students to care for clients in a home setting. Students who successfully complete this class will gain entry into the NY State Department of Health Home Care Registry as a certified Personal Care Aide.
A second training, Personal Care Aide to Home Health Aide (PCA-HHA upgrade training) provides PCAs 40 hours of classroom instruction and lab experience, and an additional eight hours of clinical/supervised practical training at an assisted living facility. The class is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 29 to Aug. 9, with a clinical from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12.
Students who successfully complete course requirements receive HHA certification and will be listed in the NY State Department of Health Home Care Registry.
Participants in each must be at least 18 years old; attend every class; pass a criminal background check for employment; and provide some medical documentation.
Preregistration is required. Please contact Samantha Williams, Healthcare Pathways program assistant, at 518-743-2256 or healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.
Said Charles Nelson, executive director of Greater Adirondack Home Aides: “Greater Adirondack Home Aides is grateful for the opportunity to work with SUNY Adirondack. With the offering of training courses for Personal Care Aides, and Home Health Aides, SUNY Adirondack will be training the next group of caring, compassionate, professional aides. This will allow Greater Adirondack to expand its mission to provide high quality care for our community's elderly and disabled citizens.”
Said J. Brian Nealon, CEO of The Wesley Community: “We feel privileged to partner with SUNY Adirondack as a clinical site for the Healthcare Pathways program. The Wesley Community and our seasoned nursing staff have created a nurturing and supportive environment for health care students who want to pursue certification or prepare for a nursing degree. The success of our own in-house Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, through a separate program, has laid the groundwork for this exciting partnership with SUNY ADK, and we look forward to launching even more careers.”
