Employee Spotlights

The fast track to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with PHS

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There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. — Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady

Trainer Barb Sager with student and resident at Presbyterian Homes
HS OnTrack Instructor Barb Sager (left) with student Hodo Dahir during the clinical training experience.

Caregiving and caregivers are at the heart of fulfilling our mission: to honor God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of older adults.

That’s why Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) offers complete nursing assistant training!

It started one year ago. As nursing assistant training programs were closing at colleges due to COVID, we ramped up our training capacity.

Developed by LeadingAge, PHS OnTrack™ Training offers the fastest path to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) — in just 10 days. Sessions start every other week.

“Our commitment is to recruit, develop and retain quality staff who will make valuable contributions to our team and provide skilled and compassionate care to the people we will serve,” says Mary Springer, RN, PHS Education Manager.

So far, more than 120 certified nursing assistants have joined 12 PHS communities because of PHS OnTrack™!

They experience the rewards of joy and purpose while providing personal care to older adults.

“Nursing assistants are the most important people in any long-term care or assisted living center,” notes Barb Sager, a PHS OnTrack Instructor.

What Barb enjoys most is watching students put their skills into practice at a PHS memory care center during their clinical experience. She explains, “Because the students are caring for these residents — touching them kindly and speaking slowly and gently — I see the residents come out of their rooms with rosy cheeks and smiles on their faces. That’s when I know the comfort was there as was the love.”

image of OnTrack student Breanna SmithA recent graduate of OnTrack, Breanna Smith (pictured left) tells about a heartwarming moment during her clinical experience. “I genuinely got to see, when providing a bath to one of the residents, that they were happy to be pampered,” she says. “The resident looked at their hands and their feet like they just came out of a beauty parlor.”

“It’s the little things,” she adds. “We might not think that’s a big deal, but it’s a big deal to them. And that’s all we care about.”

Do you know someone looking for more purpose in their work? Share the good news about PHS OnTrack for caregivers plus many more opportunities to join our team at www.preshomes.org/careers. 

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