Former Poway Adult School student knows he can depend on healthcare employees from alma mater
Jan Ophof is well-qualified to speak about how important Poway Adult School is to the local area’s workforce development. He attended the school himself, earning his Certified Nurse Assistant and Restorative Nurse Assistant licenses there; now he’s an In-Home Care Coordinator managing nurses and caregivers at Casa de las Campanas, and knows he can depend on new healthcare employees from his alma mater.
Casa de las Campanas is a nonprofit organization providing a continuum of care for seniors, offering health and welfare support services. Casa has hired many Poway Adult School students who possess strong technical and interpersonal skills, making it easy for former students to be hired into Casa’s entry-level jobs.
“Poway Adult School taught me and all CNA students basic nursing skills, so when Casa hires a Poway graduate, we know we have a qualified candidate that meets all the California Department of Public Health CNA skills and certifications,” says Ophof.
“Poway taught me and all CNA students basic nursing skills, so when CASA hires a Poway graduate, we know we have a qualified candidate that meets all the California Department of Public Health CNA skills and certifications.”
Jan Ophof, In-Home Care Coordinator at Casa de las Campanas
The school’s CNA Program provides instruction and training in key areas such as anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, equipping students with a practical understanding of basic nursing skills. Casa highly values Poway Adult School’s training programs because they reduce the need for extensive on-boarding and supplementary training for new Casa hires.
And that relationship goes both ways: Casa provides valuable clinical opportunities for the adult school’s CNA students who aspire to pursue healthcare careers in the public or private sector. Clinicals offer CNA students hands-on experience in a health care setting by enhancing their skills and serving as a Casa recruitment tool. And by observing these students in action, Casa can better assess their potential for success within their facility.
“Casa actively recruits at Poway Adult School because they know the students are highly trained and can easily integrate into entry-level CNA or caregiver positions,” says Ophof.
Ophof says employers benefit from Poway Adult Education’s technically trained CNA students, who generally possess strong clinical and customer service skills. He notes these students are also part of the local community, which enhances their awareness of and familiarity with local community health and welfare resources.
“I am a Poway Adult School graduate, and three of our best employees at Casa de las Campanas come from the Poway (Adult School) programs. I think all organizations should consider hiring Poway (Adult School) graduates,” Ophof encouraged.
Poway Adult School, founded in 1965, is a prominent educational institution in north inland San Diego County, annually serving more than 10,000 students. Poway achieves this by offering a range of academic and personal enrichment programs for adults, including ESL, Career and Technical Education, GED/High School Diploma, and numerous training and personal development courses.
Poway Adult School is one of almost 300 adult schools in California that are operated by K-12 school districts. California Adult Schools provide education, training, and support services to ensure that adult learners reach their education and workforce goals. For more information, visit https://powayadultschool.powayusd.com or call (858) 668-4012.
Written by Nicole Carr
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| Southern California | Careers in Health Care |
