Launch your healthcare career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)! Are you interested in making a difference in direct patient care? Consider training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Northern Light Lakewood Continuing Care in partnership with Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education. If you are accepted into the program, you will be a full-time employee while earning your CNA certificate! 

The next program starts on September 5, 2023.

About the program:

-Once students receive their CNA license and move into a full-time CNA role, they will be eligible for a $3,500 (minus tax) sign on bonus to be paid in full within first 18 months of employment. This program has a 2-year commitment in a full-time position after the CNA training and license are received.

-Approximately 8 weeks – class/lab/clinical – 2-4 days per week (16-32 hours per week). Students would work 8-24 hours as a Unit Helper on a nursing unit on other non-class days. Combination of training and Unit Helper work time would be full-time status, 36 hours per week.

- Didactic (lecture) portion of class taught via Zoom at the hospital (with the exception of the first day of class on 9/5/2023. Students will go to Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield to meet instructor, get books, etc.)

- Clinicals and labs would be completed at Northern Light Lakewood Continuing Care.

- This program is in collaboration with Mid-Maine Adult Community Education (Waterville) and funded with support from KVCC.

- Students will receive a Super Shoes voucher closer to hire date to help purchase nursing attire

- There are many benefits to this program! As a full-time employee you would be eligible for all the Northern Light Health benefit offerings including, medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement savings, paid time off, wellness programs, and more!

Requirements:

- 18 years of age or older high school graduate or equivalent (from a state -sanctioned program).

- Maine resident

- Some travel to the greater Waterville area required for first class, post CASAS, state exam date

- Pass pre-employment background check

- Pass the CASAS Assessment for the program

- Willing to work as a unit helper/patient experience aide or other role while training

- Commit to Northern Light Health Lakewood Continuing Care for 2 years post training/certification.

Unit Helper Information: 

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Develops Self and Others: Takes responsibility for engaging in professional self-development activities and programs. Strives to gain insight into their own values, strengths and weaknesses, interests and ambitions and takes action in order to enhance competencies and skills when possible. As a leader, encourages and guides employees towards growth opportunities to enhance performance and help them reach goals. Reviews and analyzes employees' strengths and weaknesses to distinguish their talents and development needs, and to ensure they are enhanced appropriately.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Fosters Innovation: Employs and encourages the use of meaningful creativity in solving challenges. Proactively identifies opportunities and uses new approaches to enhance processes, systems and services. When appropriate, suggests or initiates new strategies, products, services, and markets.
• Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
• No previous experience required.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
• Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues.
• Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.
• Seeks Process Improvement & Applies System Thinking: Possesses and gains insight into situations, problems and processes. Understands the interconnection between organizational elements. Deconstructs problems and systematically investigates the various components. Considers the impact of actions on the entire process/system. Detects problems and opportunities, recognizes important information, and links various data to trace potential causes and relevant details.
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Prolonged periods of kneeling.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Prolonged periods of walking.