NECC will offer a nurse assistant/home health aide program in beginning in the fall.

Northern Essex Community College will hold information sessions for a five-week, non-credit nursing assistant program that is offered twice this fall at NECC Riverwalk, 360 Merrimack St. in Lawrence, Entry K.

Information sessions will be held Thursday, August 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. and Tuesday, August 29 for the Sept. 18 through Oct. 23 (no class October 9th) nurse assistant training program. Information sessions will also be held on Tuesday, Sept.19 and Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 to 11a.m for the session running from Oct. 30 through Dec. 7 (no class 11/10, 11/22, 11/23 or 11/24). All information sessions and classes will be offered at the Riverwalk.

The Department of Public Health has approved this 125-hour program that introduces fundamental nursing assistant skills and information. It prepares participants to take the Massachusetts state examination to become licensed as a Certified Nursing Assistant and be listed in the Nurse Aide Registry. Participants who successfully complete the program will also receive a Home Health Aide certificate.

The program focuses on communication, safety and infection control procedures, and basic personal care skills for patients/residents in sub-acute, long-term care and in an individual’s home. Other topics include vital signs, documentation, and legal and regulatory practices. This full-time, program will be offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes classroom instruction, skills practice and clinical experience at a local, long-term care facility under the supervision of a registered nurse.

This is an opportunity to enter the in-demand, direct-care field and can also serve as a gateway to other health care professions.

The program fee is $1,279 plus $86 fee for books and materials. For more information email Nancy Tariot at ntariot@necc.mass.edu or noncredit@necc.mass.edu

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth.  Nearly 6,000 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 3,000 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus and at the Opportunity Works building at 671 Kenoza St., located next to the Haverhill campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. For more information, visit the website .