DAMARISCOTTA — MaineHealth is offering a certified nursing assistant (CNA) apprenticeship training program, providing a paid pathway for individuals interested in beginning a health care career, according to MaineHealth, in a news release. 

The upcoming session of the six-week program will be held Nov. 9 through Dec. 17 at the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Education Center in Damariscotta. Training takes place four to five days per week and includes classroom instruction, hands-on skills labs and clinical experience at local hospitals and long-term care facilities.

The CNA apprenticeship program is a collaborative effort between Maine Adult Education and MaineHealth. Participants are hired as CNA apprentices at either MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital or MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital and paid during training. They are also eligible for benefits, provided they agree to a one-year work commitment following successful completion of the program.

To be considered, applicants must attend a required virtual information session via Microsoft Teams.

Sessions will be held:

• Thursday, Sept. 3, 6-7 p.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 17, 10-11 a.m.

During the information sessions, attendees will learn about the application process, program requirements and next steps. They can also complete their registration for the program.

Following the session, candidates will be contacted to schedule the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) exam, which must be passed at a 9th-grade reading level.

To apply, candidates should visit careersatmainehealth.org and search for “CNA Apprentice” and the Damariscotta location. For more information, contact cna@mainehealth.org.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.