HODDE TECHNICAL CENTER OFFERS CNA CERTIFICATION
Blinn College’s A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center will prepare participants to begin a high-demand career as a certified nurse aide with a series of courses this summer.
Certified nurse aides (CNAs) provide basic patient care under the direction of nursing staff, including feeding, bathing, grooming, changing linens and transporting patients. Nurse aides are often employed in nursing care facilities, where they frequently serve as principal caregivers.
CNA jobs are expected to grow 21 percent nationally and 26 percent throughout Texas between 2012 and 2022, with 3,680 projected job openings each year. The average median wage for a CNA in Texas is $10.75 per hour.
“Students who complete the program are eligible to sit for state licensure and work as a certified nurse aide,” said Megan Costanza, dean of Workforce Education. “This is an ideal entry-level position into the field and is a great first step for someone interested in a healthcare career.”
The classroom portion meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays July 14 – Aug. 20 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. During this portion, students learn terminology, medical privacy practices, nurse aide theory and practice patient care in a lab setting.
The second portion of the program consists of 40 hours of clinical experience in a nursing care facility, arranged by Blinn. During this portion, students are accompanied by their instructor and receive supervised hands-on experience.
Students can register for the course by visiting the Hodde Center, located at 2910 S. Blue Bell Road in Brenham, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Small business owners can enroll new employees and current staff in Hodde Center courses for free using Texas Workforce Commission Skills for Small Business Funds. Hodde Center staff can help businesses complete the request form. For more information, visit: www.twc.state.tx.us/businesses/skills-small-business-employers.
Blinn also offers students access to scholarships through the Blinn College Foundation, private grants and Workforce Solutions. For more information, visit: www.blinn.edu/workforce/scholarships.html.
For a full slate of courses offered at the Hodde Center, including career development, health professions, manufacturing, welding and safety, visit: www.blinn.edu/workforce/Hodde-Summer-2015.pdf.
The 12,000-square foot A.W. Hodde, Jr. Technical Education Center was built in 2009 to provide local training for a quality, viable workforce in Washington and the surrounding communities. As part of Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education, its staff works in cooperation with local businesses to provide a well-trained workforce that strengthens the local economy. For more information on the Hodde Center and it course offerings, call 979-830-4443 or visit: www.blinn.edu/workforce.