Certified Nurse Aide, Personal Care Aide & Home Health Aide

The tri-certification program trains students to become certified as Personal Care Aides (PCA) and to upgrade their training to receive the Home Health Aide (HHA) certification. In addition, it prepares students to take the written and practical skill exam to obtain the New York State Nurse Aide Certification. Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) perform delegated tasks involving personal care of residents at long-term care skilled nursing facilities. Most CNAs work with the elderly, however CNAs are also in demand for work with children and developmentally disabled residents. PCAs and HHAs work primarily in home care settings and in assisted living facilities.

This course has a minimum of 100 classroom hours and a minimum of 38 hours of field experience in clinical sites. Included in the course is an additional 40 hours of Personal Care Aide and 48 hours of Personal Care Aide upgrade training for those who prefer to work in a home setting.

The CNA course (including the PCA and PCA upgrade) is taught in English and lasts approximately eight weeks. To ensure success more than the required number of classroom and lab hours are provided. Classes are held in our Center City location in Schenectady.