After nine months of planning, Idaho State University Workforce Training, in cooperation with The Hospital Cooperative, is offering a video-based Certificated Nursing Assistants (CNA) course. The video-based CNA course teaches didactic components via distance technology with learning laboratory practice and clinical occurring at the student’s local community hospital site. Exams and assignments are submitted via the Web.

“The purpose of this class is to provide cost effective training for nurses in rural settings that will free up local Registered Nurses so they may complete their job responsibilities without the additional time commitments of teaching CNAs in their local community,.” said Cheryl DenHartog, R.N., health programs manager for Workforce Training. This collaboration began in May 2007 when executive director Jon Smith contacted Workforce Training about the potential to collaborate on conducting video-based CNA courses. Workforce Training staff members presented various options and a start date for the new course was set. The first course began February 20, 2008 with six students. Two students from Caribou County are attending classes via distance learning while four students from Pocatello attend classes at The Hospital Cooperative offices. “Cheryl DenHartog is to be commended for her efforts in recruiting the students to make the program run,” said Joe Fleishman, director of Workforce Training, “Workforce Training strives to meet the needs of our citizens and is responsive to requests we receive from companies and organizations throughout our region. Through The Hospital Cooperative, we expect to be soon offering these classes to other rural area hospitals.” Workforce Training provides short-term training in a variety of areas, including computers, business, health care, apprenticeships in the building trades, and professional development to provide youth and adults with technical skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for successful performance in a highly effective workplace. For more information about the CNA course, contact Jon Smith at (208)239-2384.