Healthcare workforce management platform ShiftMed has joined forces with the National Association of Health Care Assistants to launch an integrated training solution to address the ongoing workforce crisis within skilled nursing.

The National Institute for CNA Excellence (NICE) virtual platform is designed to help address the current workforce shortage by providing both certified nursing assistants and skilled nursing providers with recruitment, certification, job placement, continuing education and ongoing career support in one place. Through NICE, CNAs can access instruction from post-acute and long-term care physicians, aging services policy leaders, and experts on topics that include Alzheimer’s disease, person-centered care, infection prevention and control, palliative care and regulations.

For its part, ShiftMed will tap its database of more than 1,500 healthcare professionals to provide a purpose-driven career pathway for uncertified personal care aides through NICE. Once prospective CNAs have completed their online education through NICE, they will download the ShiftMed mobile app and be matched with nearby healthcare employers, where they can get on-site, hands-on experience required for certification

“NICE takes successful training programs one step further by going beyond the normal requirements to educate the learner on essential skills such as team-building, conflict resolution, person-directed care, and much more,” said Lori Porter, NAHCA CEO and NICE creator.

Senior Living Properties LLC, a 50-location skilled nursing provider in the state of Texas, signed on as an initial launch partner. 

“By educating, training and empowering CNAs, we will improve access to care and improve quality of care and quality of life while addressing the shortage,” added Todd Walrath, CEO of ShiftMed.