https://www.felidapark.com/

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In 2022, Connie Thompson, owner of the Vancouver-based CLT at Home health care service, responded to the devastating shortage of caregivers working mostly with seniors by opening a state-of-the-art training center for certified nursing assistants.  

Through the CLT Care Academy, over 130 students have trained since then to become CNAs and find meaningful careers in health care. The pass rate (which includes state exams) is 92%. 

The academy has a fully equipped lab, two classrooms and two mock patient rooms in the Park Plaza Addition building. All learning materials and lab supplies needed for the course are provided.

In the last year, the academy has had several requests for an HCA Bridge to CNA program; however, nothing was offered in Southwest Washington. Thompson worked with the Washington Department of Health, which added this offering to home care aides, which wants to bridge to CNA quickly and more affordably. This will become more important in 2025 as the Department of Health revises guidelines and curricula for both CNA and HCA training. 

The academy’s Traditional CNA Program runs for 4½ weeks or 115 hours of theory, skills and clinicals. The HCA Bridge to CNA Program is 2½ weeks or 75 hours of theory, skills and clinicals.

The programs include the DSHS revised curriculum with required specialty courses in mental health, dementia and developmental disabilities. With proper documentation, these may be waived. 

In addition, the academy has the CNA Plus Program, which is 5 weeks or 150 hours of theory, skills, and clinicals.

This program includes the DSHS revised curriculum with required specialty courses in mental health, dementia and developmental disabilities that the academy is piloting for the state. These will be required of all programs in September.

The Department of Health licenses the CLT Care Academy, and it is approved by the State Board of Nursing and Workforce Southwest Washington. 

All courses include CPR/BLS certification, bloodborne pathogens certification and a food worker card.

For more information, call 360-713-6559 or email Alice.W@cltcareacademy.com