Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students can now earn while they learn as part of an innovative new apprenticeship program offered by LincolnHealth and Pen Bay Medical Center.

The pilot program is designed to make it easier for people to begin a career in healthcare. It is available to students in the LincolnHealth and Maine Coast School of Technology CNA classes.

Students must first be accepted into the CNA class and then apply separately for the apprenticeship program. People can also take the CNA class without applying for the program. The next LincolnHealth CNA class begins April 12. Applications are due February 19.

Under that program, apprentice CNAs will be paid $8.50 an hour to attend CNA classes and will commit to working at long-term care facilities affiliated with either LincolnHealth or Pen Bay Medical Center for 18 months following graduation.

Certified Nursing Assistants provide most of the hands-on care of residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities. The role has also historically served as a way for people to explore a career in healthcare.

LincolnHealth Chief Operating Officer Cindy Wade, RN, said her experience as a CNA during high school helped her decide on a career in healthcare.

“It was just such a connection to people, the ability to spend time with people and care for them and hear their stories and make their lives a little better,” said Wade.

Many healthcare professionals, including top administrators at LincolnHealth, began their healthcare careers as CNAs and then went on to become a nurse , doctor or another profession. Others enjoy the direct patient contact that CNAs provide and remain in the profession. Wade said the role is incredibly important in every part of healthcare.

“They are the backbone to everything we do at LincolnHealth, whether it is in long-term care or hospital care. They are there day in and day out meeting the needs of the patients,” said Wade. “They work really, really hard but they do it because they care about their patients and they care about our community. They are amazing.”

Although acceptance into the apprenticeship program does not guarantee employment after graduation, every effort is made to place graduates in jobs based on staffing needs and the apprentice’s qualifications.

Class size is limited, so only a few qualified applicants will be chosen for an interview and selected for the apprenticeship program. Other details of the program are discussed at the interview.

If you are interested in the LincolnHealth apprenticeship program or the C.N.A. course starting April 12, call the LincolnHealth Education Department at 563-4540.

If you are interested in the Pen Bay Apprenticeship program, please call the human resources office at Pen Bay Medical at 921-6967. If you are interested in the Maine Coast School of Technology’s C.N.A. course, which starts March 28, please call 596-7752.

The apprenticeship program is a partnership of LincolnHealth, Pen Bay Medical Center, the Maine Department of Labor, Central Lincoln County Adult Education and the Maine Coast School of Technology.