The Journal
Pueblo Community College Southwest has announced a partnership with Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to offer free health profession training for qualifying applicants.
The health care industry is expected to grow 18 percent in the next 10 years and add 2.4 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
This summer, PCC Southwest will offer two Certified Nursing Assistant courses, each held for seven weeks – one in the evenings starting June 10 and one in daytime starting July 8. CNA students learn the basic skills and procedures to assist hospital patients, long-term care residents and home health care clients. The projected rate of growth for nurse aide jobs is more than 496,000 new jobs by 2020.
The CNA course is a gateway program, since it is a prerequisite for entering PCC’s Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse programs. It is free to qualified applicants.
PCC Southwest also offers an Emergency Medical Response course, which equips students with skills needed to provide lifesaving care. The course runs from May 28 through July 2.
To qualify for the Health Profession Opportunities Grant, call the Ute Mountain Learning Center at 970-564-5471 or stop by PCC’s open house on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwest Workforce Center, 2208 E. Main St., Cortez. Advisers will be available.
Prizes will be given to those who register, and food will be available.
Students must meet income and residency guidelines to qualify. Visit www.utelearning.org and click on the tab that says “HPOG”.