Introduction to Healthcare Employment & Apprenticeship Program
An Entry-level Healthcare Career Program!
This innovative two phase employment program trains entry-level job seekers for careers in the healthcare sector.
Candidates can earn the Nursing Assistant Certification (NA-C or CNA) – which is a prerequisite for several healthcare positions – through this convenient 6 – 8 week program. Online training and in-person labs provide candidates with flexibility and access to hands-on learning. In January 2023, the NA-C program was officially recognized by the Washington State Apprenticeship & Training Council (WSATC). Read more about what this recognition means.
In July 2025, the IHAP with Behavioral Health program was officially recognized by the Washington State Apprenticeship & Training Council (WSATC) as a registered apprenticeship preparation program. Learn more about the IHAP with Behavioral Health program and upcoming cohorts below.
IHAP grads are ready to be hired upon completion.
Get involved and meet your workforce needs by providing spots for the IHAP clinical requirement (40 hours). Your organization can host clinicals for IHAP learners and later hire them as NA-Cs!
Contact us to learn more.
Watch this video to learn more about IHAP and its impact on program participants, partners, and healthcare employers.
“Thanks for picking me to be apart of IHAP program. I’m glad I got to share my personality with you guys and you guys got to know me. I’m happy that I joined because I wouldn’t be here, if it weren’t for all of you. I am now able to be the person that I worked so hard to be. And that’s to provide optimal care to patients. I finally can say I am now a NA-C.”
IHAP Phases
IHAP covers these core topics:
Phase 1: Healthcare Foundations (3 weeks). Candidates explore available healthcare careers and develop healthcare workplace readiness. Provided by Arivva (Pierce County) and Seattle Jobs Initiative (King County).
Phase 2: NA-C training program (6 weeks + testing). Candidates complete online classes, hands-on labs, and clinicals. Provided by Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium.
Assessment: Pass the Washington State written and skills assessments, and register as a Certified NA-C.
Program Structure
IHAP Phase 1 consists of 3 weeks of training, exploring healthcare careers, and developing healthcare workplace readiness. Phase 1 is implemented in partnership
- Arivva: Pierce County, in-person in Tacoma
- Seattle Jobs Initiative: King County, online
IHAP Phase 2, provided by Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium, consists of:
| Weeks 1 – 4 |
Zoom classes (online) Labs (in-person) |
9 am – 3 pm, Mon – Wed 9 am – 2 pm, Thurs or Fri |
| Week 5 |
Preparation and Orientation Week (in-person) CPR class/Skills Practice/Make-up Days |
Times vary based on activity |
| Week 6 | Clinical work experience (in-person) | 40 hours |
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for IHAP, you must:
- Be 18 yrs or older, or be in a pre-approved high-school cohort
- Be approved to work in the US without sponsorship
- Be proficient in English (ESL Level 5 or English 098)
- Successfully pass a background check
- Be up to date on all vaccinations and immunizations
IHAP with Behavioral Health Curriculum
Core topics:
Phase 1: Healthcare Foundations (4 weeks). Candidates explore available healthcare careers and develop healthcare workplace readiness. NEW to this course: Mental Health First Aid Training and First Aid & Basic Life Support (BLS) Training. This is a hybrid course, with three in person days.
This is now a WA Apprenticeship & Training Council registered apprenticeship preparation program.
Phase 2: NA-C training program (6 weeks + testing). Candidates complete online classes, hands-on labs, and clinicals (implemented by Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium).
Assessment: Pass the Washington State written and skills assessments, and register as a Certified NA-C.
Next Cohort: Fall 2025
Important Dates
- Onboarding: July 28 – Sept. 3
- Virtual Welcome Day: Sept. 5, 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- Class Dates: Sept. 8 – Oct. 2, virtually, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- *In-person Dates in Renton: Sept. 12 (9:00 AM – 4:30 PM), Sept. 15 (9:00 AM – 2:00PM), Oct. 2 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Enrollment Information
Phase 1: Eligibility Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Low income
- Able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be proficient in English (ESL Level 5) and have basic computer skills
- Computer and internet access
Get Started:
Interested in joining this IHAP cohort? Click here to sign up
IHAP Cohorts
The Introduction to Healthcare Employment and Apprenticeship Program (Phase I) covers the basics of healthcare, and includes health care career pathway exploration for entry-level health care professionals (e.g., Environmental Services Techs, Food Services, and more). Candidates are hirable upon program completion.
Click the button below for tentative cohort schedules for this IHAP Phase I program.
This program is changing lives. I’m proud of programs like [IHAP], because they help us prepare for the future. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s how much we depend on having adequate capacity in our healthcare system.
IHAP was developed by the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium/SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund and is implemented in partnership with Arivva and Seattle Jobs Initiative.
