Gerda Tuffour, left, and Gisele Linyonga are two of the first students to successfully complete the three modules of the Healthcare Apprenticeship Pathway courses through Lewiston Adult Education. Submitted photo
Lewiston Adult Education Healthcare Apprenticeship Pathway — a six-month series of courses designed for multilingual learners, resulting in multiple certificates for employment in the healthcare industry — has announced the graduation and employment of its first CNA Apprenticeship students.
The graduation ceremony was held at Lewiston Adult Education Learning Center on Sept. 7.
The pathway includes a heavy emphasis on the English language of healthcare, covering reading technical text and case notes, writing incident reports, and workplace verbal communication, including extensive healthcare vocabulary, according to a news release from Mike Reagan with Lewiston Adult Education.
Students also earn multiple certifications to support employment, beginning with Bloodborne Pathogens, teaching pre-apprentices how bloodborne pathogens are spread, how to avoid exposure and what to do if exposed to infectious material.
The next level in the pathway is Personal Support Specialist, which includes effective language skills for work, and WorkReady (a state certificate that shows the students can understand and demonstrate seven work skills competencies).
Thirteen participants passed these exams, and five of them are employed. Students can then become participants in the Certified Nursing Assistant pathway.
Partners in this employment pathway are the Lewiston CareerCenter, which supported students eligible for training funds from the Department of Labor, Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Clover Healthcare.
A second cohort is scheduled to complete the program in early October, and a third began in August. The next session is due to begin in March.
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