Students work on skills in a PCA training

Healthcare Pathways

SUNY Adirondack offers Healthcare Pathways, a program funded by a State University of New York (SUNY) Future of Work Centers grant. This allows SUNY Adirondack to develop career pathways and support individuals pursuing training and education for careers in health care.

Programs & Courses
Healthcare Pathways

Support is available for participants in noncredit training or degree programs, including those pursuing careers such as:

certified nurse aide (CNA)
home health aide (HHA)
personal care aide (PCA)
those studying Health Education, Nursing or related fields at SUNY Adirondack

This program allows SUNY Adirondack the flexibility to offer financial support in the way of books, uniforms, gas cards and technology, as well as access to emergency funds so students can overcome barriers to complete their education or employment retention.

Part of a journey

Kayla D. is a nursing student who underwent PCA training

The PCA class was an incredible bridge between my journey as a nursing student and my work in the medical field. It allowed me to gain hands-on experience and build essential skills, all while pursuing my studies. This opportunity has deepened my passion for patient care and prepared me for a successful nursing career."

Kayla D. Ballston Spa resident

Upcoming training

FREE PERSONAL CARE AIDE (PCA) TRAINING

Jan. 6 to 17, 2025

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SUNY Adirondack Queensbury campus - Adirondack Hall 128

SUNY Adirondack offers a two-week course to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a personal care aide. PCAs are in high demand among regional employers. This 40-hour course prepares students to assist with activities of daily living in the 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.

Participants must:

be at least 18 years old
be able to write, speak and read English at an eighth-grade level
attend every class
pass a criminal background check for employment
provide required medical documentation

Learn more or register today by contacting Samantha Williams at 518-743-2256 or healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.

Grant funding will cover the $750-per-participant cost of this training under Healthcare Pathways, a SUNY Future of Work Centers grant.

FREE PERSONAL CARE AIDE (PCA) TRAINING

Jan. 6 to 17, 2025

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SUNY Adirondack Saratoga, room 216

SUNY Adirondack offers a two-week course to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a personal care aide. PCAs are in high demand among regional employers. This 40-hour course prepares students to assist with activities of daily living in the 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.

Participants must:

be at least 18 years old
be able to write, speak and read English at an eighth-grade level
attend every class
pass a criminal background check for employment
provide required medical documentation

Learn more or register today by contacting Samantha Williams at 518-743-2256 or healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.

Grant funding will cover the $750-per-participant cost of this training under Healthcare Pathways, a SUNY Future of Work Centers grant.

FREE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE TRAINING

Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Live webinar on Zoom

Please note: Preregistration is required using this online form. This two-hour training will provide an overview of key concepts including:

How trauma affects learning and behaviors
How our own trauma and vicarious trauma impacts professionals
The impact of trauma on the brain and body, and the connections to mental health, substance use and chronic disease
How to create a trauma-informed environment

This training is funded by SUNY Adirondack through a State University of New York (SUNY) Future of Work Centers Grant. CECs are available for Social Work, LMHC, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech Language Pathology for related content hours.

Please contact Kelly Owens at kowens@hmahec.org with any questions.

Target training audience: Health care, social care and education-based professionals

Trainer: Allison Reynolds, Assistant Director at The Council for Prevention

Career opportunities

Healthcare Pathways offers the training you need for successful health care careers.

Help with feeding, dressing and personal hygiene in a home setting under the supervision of a registered nurse
Perform light household work, such as cleaning and laundry
Provide assistance in patient’s shopping and errands
Prepare and serve meals
Assist with movement, turning and positioning of clients
Give medication reminders

This career path requires a 40-hour training program and satisfactory demonstration of skills necessary to receive PCA certification and entry into the New York State Department of Health Home Care Registry.

Median pay for a PCA in the greater Glens Falls area is $32,340.

For more information, call 518-743-2256 or email healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.

Perform tasks such as personal hygiene services, housekeeping and other essential support services under supervision of a registered nurse or licensed therapist
Assist with feeding, dressing and personal hygiene in a home setting
Perform light household work, such as cleaning and laundry
Prepare meals as prescribed by a dietician
Provide assistance in patient’s shopping and errands
Assist with movement, turning and positioning of clients, and prescribed exercise programs
Assist with medication administration and use of medical equipment and supplies
Perform and record pulse, respiration, temperature and other similar health indicators

This career path requires a 75- to 85-hour training program and satisfactory demonstration of skills necessary to receive HHA certification and entry into the New York State Department of Health Home Care Registry.

Median pay for a HHA in the greater Glens Falls area is $32,340.

For more information, call 518-743-2256 or email healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.

Work in long-term care and nursing facilities under supervision of nursing and medical staff members
Provide assistance with feeding, dressing and personal hygiene
Serve meals and make beds
Assist with movement and positioning
Perform and record pulse, respiration, temperature and other similar health indicators

This career path requires a 120-hour training program, including 90 hours in the classroom and 30 hours of supervised field experience. Students must pass written/oral and clinical skills portions of the NYS Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Exam to achieve certification and entry into the New York State Department of Nurse Aide Registry.

Median pay for a CNA in the greater Glens Falls area is $36,270.

For more information, call 518-743-2256 or email healthcarepathways@sunyacc.edu.

Fulfilling work

David J. of Fort Edward loves his work

It's been a month and I love the job. I find it very rewarding and fulfilling work. I have already started forming bonds with my clients. As far as the PCA and HHA courses, I found it a friendly, nonjudgmental laid-back way of learning. The instructors couldn't have been more friendly and supportive."

David J. Fort Edward resident

Related programs

SUNY Adirondack makes it easy to build upon your training. Use your experience toward a degree program, earn a microcredential or stack classes to earn certifications.

Health Education concentration

This Liberal Arts Math & Science field of study provides you a foundation in the sciences that prepares you for health care careers.

Nursing

SUNY Adirondack's Nursing degree program prepares you for an in-demand career.

Substance Abuse Services

Earn a degree that examines psychology, sociology and substance abuse, giving you new perspectives and insight into real-life situations to help others change their lives.

Workforce Development

SUNY Adirondack's Office of Workforce Development offers a variety of courses and trainings that support career preparation and professional development.

Our Healthcare Pathways partners

Logos for Healthcare Pathways partnerships

Contact us

Kimberly Comisky

Director of Healthcare Pathways
Member of the Compliance Committee

Samantha Williams

Program assistant for Healthcare Pathways

Jeffrey Wright

Healthcare Pathways program assistant

Office of Continuing Education

conted@sunyacc.edu
518-743-2402
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Adirondack Hall, Suite 142