Genesis HealthCare has become a registered statewide sponsor of two Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) through ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce training program of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). The Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) and Recreation Assistant programs will expand access to healthcare careers for Granite Staters across New Hampshire.
“New Hampshire has the second-oldest population in the country, and the need for skilled healthcare workers has never been greater,” said Michael Piaseczny, ABA hub developer west, ApprenticeshipNH. “This partnership with Genesis HealthCare creates a direct pathway into a growing field — one where apprentices earn while they learn and gain credentials that will serve them for a lifetime.”
The LNA program was developed in collaboration with Dartmouth Health’s Geriatric Center of Excellence, and a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Dartmouth GWEP collaborates with external partners to implement innovative solutions for training and educating the healthcare workforce in rural, underserved areas that care for older adults in long term settings. The program is currently piloting at three Genesis HealthCare affiliated centers in the Monadnock Region: Keene Center, Applewood Center and Pheasant Wood Center.
“Partnerships are critical to our work. By establishing the LNA apprenticeship program, ApprenticeshipNH and Genesis champions enable the GWEP to implement innovative models like the teaching nursing home and behavior rounds for dementia care, models which mutually benefits residents, staff, and learners,” said Ellen Flaherty, PhD, APRN, AGSF, FAAN, vice president of the Dartmouth Health Geriatric Center of Excellence and principal investigator of the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
Apprentices receive paid, hands-on training with one-on-one mentorship from experienced nurses and healthcare providers, with LNA coursework costs covered. Upon licensure, apprentices earn a portable, nationally recognized credential from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship and a clear pathway to continued career growth within Genesis HealthCare.
“Investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals is essential to ensuring high-quality care for the residents and patients we serve,” said Nicole Kaufman, chief transformation officer for Genesis HealthCare. “By partnering with ApprenticeshipNH, we are creating accessible pathways into healthcare careers, providing apprentices with hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities for continued growth within our affiliated centers.”
The Recreation Assistant program prepares apprentices to support the recreational and psychosocial needs of residents in long-term care settings, building the clinical knowledge and interpersonal skills required for quality activity programming. The approximately two-year program includes a minimum of 288 hours of related instruction drawn from WorkReadyNH professional skills training, nutrition courses offered through Great Bay Community College, River Valley Community College and American Red Cross certification. The apprenticeship provides a pathway for career growth within Genesis HealthCare affiliated centers, including the opportunity to pursue a Recreation Director role.
