Extension of 2014 pilot program will help strengthen staff retention, provide quality of care

Cleveland - Building on his commitment to job creation, job training, and high-quality, affordable health care for Northeast Ohio residents, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish today announced the completion of a new contract with OhioGuidestone to expand a workforce training program for new Cleveland Clinic employees.

"We need to put people to work, providing training for good jobs that are currently available," said Budish. "Expanding the Guidestone training program will help 600 Northeast Ohio residents to qualify for jobs as Patient Care Nursing Assistants."

The Department of Workforce Development and OhioMeansJobs|Cleveland-Cuyahoga County will provide OhioGuidestone $120,000 to expand a Customized Training program for 600 new Patient Care Nursing Assistants (PCNAs) during 2015. PCNAs work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) to monitor patient vital signs and emotional conditions, as well as moving and lifting patients and assisting with their personal care and daily living activities.

Last year, Cuyahoga County implemented a pilot program with OhioGuidestone that trained 213 new PCNAs at the Cleveland Clinic.