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Becoming a certified nurse assistant (CNA) is a great place to start your health care career. The MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland (MHMMC) Portland CNA apprentice training program is sponsored by Nursing Academic Affairs, in partnership with Portland Adult Education. Successful graduates may become certified by the Maine Registry of CNAs.
What is a CNA?
Certified nurse assistants (CNAs) are important members of the patient care team. They provide direct patient assistance with activities of daily living and basic health care needs - helping patients feel safe and comfortable throughout their hospital stay.
What is the CNA Apprentice Training Program?
MHMMC Portland has provided expert training for certified nurse assistants (CNAs) since 1998. More than 2,000 students have graduated to date. Our 7-week, state-approved course is offered six times per year at no charge to students. The program includes classroom work, skills labs and clinical experience - with 28 hours of training over 4 days per week.
Students are paid at a rate of $17.34 per hour plus benefits while they are in class and on clinical units. Textbooks and workbooks are provided at no charge. At the end of the program, students take the state CNA certification examination at no cost to them.
Successful graduates are required to work as CNAs at MHMMC Portland for at least one year at a minimum of 20 hours per week upon completion of the course.
Faculty members are experienced MHMMC Portland nursing staff who teach and mentor students through a combination of classroom presentations, skills labs and supervised clinical experiences. In the skills labs, students practice taking vital signs, patient hygiene skills and assisting with patient mobility. During the clinical experience, students work directly with patients on MHMMC Portland nursing units. Training topics include:
- Age-specific care through the lifespan
- Safe patient care delivery
- Infection control principles and practices
- Body mechanics and mobility skills
- Communication skills
- Assisting with activities of daily living
- Nutrition and assisting patients with meeting nutritional needs
- Common health problems and nursing assistant care
- CPR and basic life support (BLS)
Contact Us
CNA Program
MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland
22 Bramhall St., Nursing Academic Affairs, Rm 2645
Portland ME 04102
207-661-4554
More About the Program
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen (or have a current, valid, US work authorization). Vaccination for COVID-19 is also required. A person cannot be a CNA in Maine if they have been convicted of:
- Theft or abuse in a health care setting
- Sexual abuse, or
- A crime for which one could have received a 3-year sentence.
If you have questions about becoming a CNA in Maine, please contact the Maine CNA Registry at 800-791-4080 or visit their website.
Note: the CNA Registry does not have information about MHMMC Portland’s program. For more information about the MHMMC Portland CNA Training program, contact us at mmc.cnaprogram@MaineHealth.org or 207-662-2483.
- Pass the CASAS reading assessment with a score of 240 or above: Click here to register for the 75 minute assessment. Choose one of the MHMMC Portland assessment times. Seating is limited. Please let us know if you have registered, but can no longer attend, so another applicant can have that seat. If you hold a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree from a US-accredited institution of higher learning, we may be able to waive the CASAS assessment. Please submit a copy of your diploma or transcript to mmc.cnaprogram@MaineHealth.org.
- Attend an information session: Applicants who score 240 or higher on the CASAS reading assessment will be invited to attend a MHMMC Portland CNA Apprenticeship Program information session.
- Complete the online application or print and complete our PDF version
- Additional items need to be submitted before your application can be considered complete. You must submit:
- One (1) copy of front of driver's license or State ID card (or other form of ID with photo and signature)
- One (1) copy of front of Social Security card
- Copy of proof of high school graduation or equivalency, or diploma or transcript of associates or undergraduate degree from US-accredited institution of higher learning
- Two (2) professional written references from supervisors or managers who have known you in a work capacity, a former teacher or coach, volunteer group leader, or other person in a leadership capacity unrelated to you who can vouch for your qualifications, skills, experience and how you might perform or succeed as a CNA in a health care setting. These letters CANNOT be written by family members or friends. These references must be mailed or emailed directly from the person writing the letter, NOT the applicant. Emails may be directed to mmc.cnaprogram@MaineHealth.org.
Please provide photocopies of documents we can keep. We cannot return documents or make copies for you. You may mail these items to the address below, or email them to mmc.cnaprogram@MaineHealth.org.
MHMMC Portland Nursing Academic Affairs, CNA Program
22 Bramhall St., Rm 2645
Portland, ME 04102
Following the Information Session, applications will be reviewed and selected applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. An interview does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
Do I need the COVID vaccination? Yes, you must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to be accepted by this program and to work at MaineHealth.
Is there a commitment to work at MHMMCP once I am certified? Yes, upon successful completion of the course and if offered a position, you are expected to work as a CNA at MHMMC Portland (or at your MaineHealth-sponsoring organization) for a minimum of 1 year, at least 20 hours per week.
Where does class take place? Our classroom is located in Westbrook. Clinicals take place at the hospital, at 22 Bramhall Street in Portland.
When does class meet? Class meets 4 days a week in person, generally Monday through Thursday, with 2 days of class time and 2 days of clinical time. Class days are from 8 am to 3 pm. Clinical days are 7 am to 7:30 pm. Students spend time outside of class completing homework and studying for quizzes and exams.
What should I think about before I apply? Will you have time to study outside of class hours? Consider the needs of your family and your current work responsibilities and schedule before applying to this program. Do you enjoy helping others? Will you be comfortable with caring for another person’s basic needs? It's also important that you are open to working nights and weekends upon successful completion of the course.
How do I sign up for the CASAS reading assessment? Click to register for the 75 minute assessment.
What if I am unable to sit for the CASAS at MHMMC Portland? Check with your local adult education program. Many of them also administer the CASAS. We only need Section D completed, and the results must be emailed to mmc.cnaprogram@MaineHealth.org.
How do I sign up for the information session? Once you score 240 or higher on the CASAS, we will send you an invitation to the CNA Training Program information session.
What if I was home-schooled or haven’t worked in a number of years? Who can I ask to write a reference letter for me? If you have no professional references or can’t ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation, you could ask someone who knows you well but is not a relative; such as a coach, clergy member or volunteer leader/coordinator.
How many students are accepted for the course? We currently accept 20-25 students for each course.
What kind of patient care units host clinicals during the program? Students are assigned to a general surgery, neurology, cardiac care, orthopedic or similar unit for the clinical portion of the program.
What is the uniform for clinicals? Black pants, white scrub top, and shoes suitable for work in a health care setting. Open back shoes or shoes with holes, such as Crocs, are not acceptable.
Do CNAs work all shifts? Yes, MHMMC Portland CNAs work days, evenings, nights and weekends - based on the needs of their assigned unit.