Introduction to Healthcare Employment & Apprenticeship Program

Introduction to Healthcare Employment and Apprenticeship Programs logo

An Entry-level Healthcare Career Program!

This innovative 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.

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).

Male nurse smiles and holds clipboard.

Learn how your organization can host clinicals for IHAP students, and then hire them as NA-Cs!

Contact us for more details.

“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.”

Naomi Perry

Nursing Assistant- Certified , Seattle Children’s Hospital, Hematology and Oncology Outpatient Clinic

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 Seattle Jobs Initiative.

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 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 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.

Tentative cohort schedules for this IHAP Phase I program are listed below:

Upcoming IHAP Cohorts
Cohort Tentative Start Date
2024
IHAP Kaiser Grant Cohort 03 February 2024

IHAP Triage Grant 01

June 2024
IHAP Triage Grant 02 June 2024
IHAP King County Fall 2024 Phase 1 September 2024
IHAP 03 Triage September 2024
IHAP 04 Triage September 2024
IHAP 05 Triage November 2024
IHAP 06 Triage November 

 

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.

Victoria Woodards

Tacoma Mayor, in her 2023 State of the City Address

IHAP was developed by the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium/SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund and is implemented in partnership with Seattle Jobs Initiative.

SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund logo
Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium logo
Seattle Jobs Initiative logo
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