Geriatric Training Center

"Training Future Certified Nursing Assistants
to be Compassionate Caregivers"

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden is a Florida licensed not-for-profit postsecondary school providing training for people who want to become certified nursing assistants.

Application for the Nursing Assistant Class starting October 19, 2011 is closed; applications are no longer available.  If you are interested in applying for the Nursing Assitant Class, please check back for upcoming dates. 

For additional information on the school please call (904) 262-8380 for a recorded message or send an email.

History

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center is an on-site postsecondary training school that was established in 1995 to provide academic training and skills for persons desiring to become Certified Nursing Assistants. The school was established to meet the increasing need for nursing assistants in hospitals and nursing homes in the greater Jacksonville area. Students of the school experience hands-on training from River Garden, an industry leader and recipient of the Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long-Term Care.

Philosophy

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden believes that any person who is willing to apply himself/herself to the study of health care assisting can benefit from the training offered at the school.

The mission of the Training Center is to provide the information and skills training needed to render assistive health care in a courteous, competent, compassionate, and caring manner.

Nursing Assistant Program

The Nursing Assistant program offers classroom training and clinical experience in a long- term care facility. Upon successful completion of the Nursing Assistant program, the student will possess knowledge and skills necessary to function successfully at an entry-level position as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility or hospital. The student will have the opportunity to gain academic and competency skills enabling them to pass the State of Florida Certification Exam for Nursing Assistants, which is locally administered at the River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged. Certification is required for employment in long-term care facilities.

Eligibility Requirements:

• High school graduate or equivalent *
• Good moral character
• 18 years of age or older at the time of course completion

*Candidates that received their high school diploma outside of the United States must complete the Test of Adult Basic Education Skills (TABES) test and score a level 9 or above.

The Nursing Assistant program is a six week class which includes classroom, clinical, and lab time.  Students are expected to spend additional time in self study and completing assignments.

Clinical practice and application of learning occurs on one of five 36-bed resident units of River Garden Hebrew Home/Wolfson Health and Aging Center. Teaching and learning methods involve classroom lecture, computer modules, demonstration and return demonstration, and hands-on clinical work with patients using the skills gained in the classroom.

Location

11401 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258

The school is located at River Garden Hebrew Home/Wolfson Health and Aging Center, a long-term care facility which is a subsidiary of the River Garden Holding Company.

Policy Statement

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden is an equal opportunity school. Students are chosen on the basis of ability and qualifications regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, marital status or status as a disabled veteran in compliance with federal, state and municipal laws. Tuition assistance is available.

Ownership/Governing Body

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center is wholly owned, operated, and governed by the River Garden Holding Company, 11401 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32258. Classes are held on the River Garden campus in Mandarin. The River Garden Holding Company also operates River Garden Hebrew Home/Wolfson Health and Aging Center (a 180-bed not-for-profit skilled nursing facility), The Coves (an 80-unit not-for-profit retirement apartment complex), and the River Garden Foundation.

The Albert Z. Fleet Geriatric Training Center at River Garden is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Tallahassee, Florida.