The American Red Cross’ Nurse Assistant Training (NAT), currently being offered in 19 states, will be offered in Florence beginning next month. It will be the first offering of the 25-year-old program in South Carolina.
The Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training program, which offers students hands-on clinical training at local healthcare facilities, has been approved by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the SC Commission on Higher Education. NAT graduates will receive a certificate of completion for eligibility to sit for state examination and gain placement on the state registry. Students will be trained to sit for the state CNA exam so they can then work in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, rehab hospitals, and assisted living homes, as well as other health-related facilities.
“We are delighted to bring this much needed program to Florence,” says Martha Ray, American Red Cross NAT program manager for South Carolina. “We have plans to open additional programs around the state as well as offer more courses at our Florence site, to potentially include EKG training, Phlebotomy, Acute Care, Electronic Medical Records and Home Health.”
The 4-week, 162.5 hour NAT program in Florence will consist of 120 hours of training including 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. The curriculum exceeds the federal minimum standards and exceeds state curriculum requirements of 100 hours. A high school diploma and/or GED are not required to enroll in the program and tutoring is available. Tuition assistance may also be available to those who qualify.
Programming includes Life Skills training; resume building, mock interview skills, completing job applications, along with teamwork, time management and communication in healthcare. It also includes American Red Cross CPR, First Aid & AED 2-year certifications.
Employment assistance for graduates will be provided through a Job Fair with local healthcare employers.
Space is limited for program enrollment and a NAT orientation is required before applying to the program. Orientations will be held every Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Red Cross Pee Dee Office at 1601 A West Lucas Street, Florence. No appointment is necessary.
For more information call 843-799-4630 or email Martha.Ray@redcross.org
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org
