CNA Apprenticeship Program

CNA Apprenticeship Program

MUSC Health Midlands is seeking motivated, compassionate individuals to join our Patient Care Technician (PCT)/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Apprenticeship Program. This paid, earn-while-you-learn opportunity combines classroom instruction, hands-on clinical training, and hospital experience to prepare participants for a rewarding healthcare career.

Program Overview

• Program length: Approximately 10-12 weeks of initial training
• Employment status: PRN during training, with the opportunity to transition to a full-time position after successful completion
• Classroom training: Two days per week for six weeks
• Clinical rotations: Two weeks of instructor supervised, hands-on experience
• Capstone rotation: Three weeks of one-on-one preceptor-supervised, hands-on experience
• Starting pay: $15.00 per hour (non-negotiable)
• Apprenticeship commitment: 2,000 total work hours

Job Summary

The PCT/CNA Apprentice reports to the Workforce Development Instructor and receives training in basic nursing care through classroom instruction, simulated laboratory practice, and supervised clinical experience at MUSC Health Midlands.

After successfully completing at least 100 hours of required coursework and clinical training, the apprentice will be eligible to take the South Carolina CNA certification examination. Following the training period, the apprentice will continue working on an assigned unit under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager while completing the required 2,000-hour apprenticeship commitment.

Successful apprentices should demonstrate compassion, patience, sound judgment, and a genuine interest in caring for others. Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills are also essential.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to meet all program attendance, academic, clinical, and employment requirements
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including rotating shifts and overtime when required

Essential Responsibilities

• Successfully complete all classroom, laboratory, and clinical requirements.
• Maintain a minimum course average of 80%.
• Demonstrate competency in the 22 nurse aide skills required by Credentia for certification.
• Perform essential patient-care skills, including:
• Hand hygiene
• Measuring and documenting vital signs
• Assisting with ambulation using a gait belt
• Transferring patients to a wheelchair
• Providing bed baths and personal care
• Assisting patients with dressing
• Providing denture and oral care
• Assisting with feeding
• Performing passive range-of-motion exercises
• Successfully complete the required written and skills certification examinations.
• After completing training, continue working on the assigned unit under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager.
• Complete the required 2,000-hour apprenticeship commitment.
• Communicate patient concerns promptly and appropriately to the Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse, or Nurse Manager.
• Follow all MUSC Health policies, safety standards, and patient-care procedures.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that cannot assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. Ability to work rotating shifts. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to work in a latex safe environment. Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required.

Start your healthcare career with MUSC Health Midlands while earning a paycheck, gaining valuable experience, and preparing for CNA certification.

Medical University of South Carolina