skip to navigation

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program

The Good Shepherd Long-Term Care Nursing Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) prepares you to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) competency examination.

Good Shepherd’s intensive, paid, 120.5-hour course for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and covers all required curriculum for certification.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Next CNA Class: April 2026

Good Shepherd’s next CNA class occurs in April 2026.

Stay tuned for details, including how to apply for the April 2026 class and dates for open house interview opportunities.

CNA Program Details

  • Classes are held on Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s South Allentown Campus, 850 S. 5th St., Allentown, PA 18103.
  • Clinical rotations are based at Good Shepherd Home – Raker Center, 601 St. John St., Allentown, PA 18103.
  • Candidates accepted into the program are hired as CNA trainees at Good Shepherd and are paid at $14/hour while training.
  • The wait time between completing the program and beginning your CNA position is low.
  • Your pay increases to a higher CNA rate ($22/hour) after completing certification.

Training

During the program’s four weeks, candidates are trained on:

  • CNA role and function
  • Infection prevention
  • Residents’ rights
  • Recognizing and preventing abuse
  • Resident safety and handling emergencies
  • Behavioral health
  • Personal care skills
  • Nutrition
  • Communication skills
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) candidates undergo training
Long-term care CNA candidates train with Good Shepherd’s clinical education team

Employment

  • After completing Good Shepherd’s program, trainees are hired to open CNA positions at one of two nursing homes in the Lehigh Valley: Good Shepherd Home – Raker Center (Allentown) or Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem.
  • Both locations are home to long-term care residents who live with severe disabilities, such as spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
  • NOTE: You must be open to working in either location and in any shift (i.e., days, evenings, nights, weekends).

To learn more, email recruiting@gsrh.org.