Six new Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) recently received their certificate of completion through a program offered by Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) in conjunction with WorkSource DeKalb and Park Springs Continuing Care retirement community.  The ceremony was held at Park Springs Continuing Care in Stone Mountain.

“These Summer graduates are the third co-hort of students who have persevered with their studies and received their Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certificates,” said Dr. Jabari Simama, president of GPTC.   “The demand for CNAs is great, and I’m proud of this group of students for completing the training program.  I’m confident they will go on to be successful in their chosen field,” he concluded.

GPTC’s short-term training program is a non-credit certificate program, meaning that students do not earn credits that can be applied toward a degree.  CNAs who complete the program typically find employment in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities.  Georgia Piedmont’s program, which meets all state and federal regulations, is a nine-and-a-half-week course designed to prepare participants to sit for the state Competency and Licensing examination.    

The program consists of 136 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical study.  It is made possible through partnerships with WorkSource DeKalb and Park Springs Continuing Care retirement community. WorkSource DeKalb, formerly known as DeKalb Workforce Development, is a county department that is federally funded.  WorkSource DeKalb provided worker training funds for the participants, while Park Springs Continuing Care purchased supplies that were used in clinical instruction. 

GPTC’s non-credit CNA program is certified by the Alliant Georgia Medical Care Foundation, and is facilitated by Georgia Piedmont’s Economic Development Division through its Continuing Education Office.  For more information about this exciting field of study, please contact instructor Margie Preston at 404-297-9522 ext. 5030 or prestonma@gptc.edu.